Dr stating before surgery she may not get it all

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Alice57
Alice57 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I had my second appt with breast surgeon who left me feeling very uncomfortable.She stated because my breasts are large she has to go through much fat before she can find lymph nodes under arm.And the small spot in my breast has to be found if I can get a lumpectomy.I don't know what to think She says depending on position f nodes she may not be able to find them. Radiation shoukd handle this I am not sure if I should find a new Dr since she sounded so negative Can anyone give theur opinion or advice?

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  • RosesToeses
    RosesToeses Member Posts: 721
    edited December 2013


    I think I would be uncomfortable, too! Maybe that's totally normal and most doctors just don't say it out loud, but I think it would be a good idea to get a second opinion from another surgeon.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited December 2013


    I would get a second opinion. Most of my surgeon's patients are overweight, and the only comment he made about that was that it does take more cutting (he was making a joke that I was a quick patient, due to low body fat).


    Also, whatever you do, make sure the surgeon is a breast surgeon, not a general surgeon.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2013

    Alice - The first time I saw my surgeon, he was very blunt - there was no way he would attempt surgery before I did neoadjuvant chemo as he had no hope of getting all the IBC.  So 3 days after seeing him, I saw my chemo Dr who said exactly the same thing as surgeon - had to do neoadjuvant chemo first to have a hope of getting 'it'.

    Surgeons are not the ones who decide IF chemo or rads are needed.  Chemo Drs and Rad Drs are the ones who do that.  Basically - surgeons cut, chemo Drs do chemo and rads Drs do rads. 

    I was very comfortable with all my Drs so I never sought a 2nd opinion but it aoulds like you are not comfortable at all so would suggest, for you, a 2nd opinion.

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  • jenni__ca
    jenni__ca Member Posts: 461
    edited December 2013

    my surgeon had a nuclear doctor come in and use a radioactive tracer with a blue dye in it to help locate my underarm nodes during my sentinal node biopsy  ....

    i agree if you are not comfortable with your surgeon a second opinion might help you decide

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2013


    Can you get a second opinion from a different surgeon? That might help you feel more comfortable....

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