Goldilocks mastectomy"

ILC_in_2014
ILC_in_2014 Member Posts: 6
edited October 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Has anyone in this group had a Goldilocks mastectomy? My invasive lobular cancer is multi-focal and my breast surgeon is recommending a mastectomy but offered the Goldilocks mastectomy, as I do not want implants or any autologous reconstruction. I have large (D) droopy breasts so that makes me a candidate for this surgery. Has anyone had this type of mastectomy? I would appreciate your experience and feedback.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2014

    sounds like an interesting new option; in reading the websites, I would just make very sure that your surgeon is able to remove all the lobules and that no lobules will  be left in the remaining fatty tissue that they will use to build the breast mound. 

    Anne

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited September 2014

    It does sound very interesting. I did a search for it and found only a couple posts about it. Jean214 had it done you might check with her if you haven't already. Will your BS do it or the PS?  Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and quick healing. 

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  • ILC_in_2014
    ILC_in_2014 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2014

    It is a BS/PS job, the BS removes all of the tissue and the PS does the mound, I assume

    Here is where you can see the doctors who invented it, describe it at a conference, go to session 18 at the bottom of the page

    http://www.associationofbreastsurgery.org.uk/abs-c...

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  • DrHRichardson_PLBC
    DrHRichardson_PLBC Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2014

    The Goldilocks CAN be done by a BS (Breast Surgeon) alone if he/she feels comfortable with the planning and closure. I do think that the input of a plastic surgeon can be helpful if the surgeon does not have a lot of experience with this technique. Almost ANY woman can have a Goldilocks mastectomy, but the best results that look the most like a residual breast will be women who have larger, longer breasts who will be comfortable being significantly smaller without the addition of any other tissue or implants. If the final result isn't as good as expected, there are some options to improve the look/increase volume. These include fat grafting, where harvested fat from liposuction is injected in small amounts into the mastectomy site, and delayed addition of a flap or implant. 

    I have found that there are many women who are surprised at how good they look and feel post-operatively. They have been glad that they had this as an option over an "amputation" style mastectomy without any reconstruction or having to go through painful surgeries, only to have an artificial appearance. It's not for everyone, for sure, but its nice to have options, right? 

    If any one wants any additional info, you can go to www.goldilocksmastectomy.com.

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  • IzzyF
    IzzyF Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2014

    Hi there ILC,

    I'm also very interested in this technique (also ILC II, multifocal) and am researching around the web. Thanks to Dr Richards for her explanation. The idea of just one surgery (I guess I would have reduction at the same time) really appeals to me. I would like to close the book on this terrible chapter in my and my family's life ASAP.

    I'm currently a 32 DD, 44 years old, quite happy to have small breasts in the future. Finishing neoadjuvant chemo at the end of Nov., surgery at the end of December.

    I'm wondering if this raises chance of recurrence - I guess this can only be done if "skin saving" is an option. And I'm also wondering if it's still an option if you have to do radiation. I understand radiation can cause further shrinkage. And if the surgeon doesn't have a whole lot of experience in the technique how good an idea is it? I live in Europe so it's all public health, which is great, but I can't really go shopping for a surgeon. My surgeon did mention it last week but dismissed the idea in the next breath and since I had never even heard of it I didn't question why.

    ILC, please let us know if you get further info and keep me posted on what your surgeon says!! Good luck!

    Izzy

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2014

    I would be very nervous about any surgeon's ability to fully dissect the breast tissue from the fatty tissue. My surgeon (at a Harvard teaching hospital) says she often has to redo mastectomies where some breast tissue is left behind, and those are normal mastectomies, not the Goldilocks technique. Since, for me, a big part of having a bilateral mastectomy was to give myself peace of mind, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with this technique. But I do agree that some of the results look great. We each have to assess our own comfort level.  

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