Masectomy with reduction on other side?

IzzyF · October 2014

IzzyF · October 2014

I'm scheduled for a masectomy over the holidays (happy new year to me in the hospital). Would like to have a reduction on the other side so that I don't feel so lopsided until I do reconstruction, which will be at least a year down the road since I have to have radiation too. In any case I would plan to reconstruct down several sizes for a minimal silhouette. It seems pretty logical to me to do the reduction at the same time as the masectomy but my surgeon doesn't seem keen on the idea. Has anyone else done this?

Moderators · October 2014

Welcome
to the BCO forums and we feel you'll get great feedback regarding how others
have coped. The waiting is very stressful for everyone. You also have a long wait that
doesn't make it easier.

You
could read the Reconstruction
stories and options on BCO and ask your question there. Please rephrase and don't double post (same post in multiple Topics).

We hope
you can gain lots of valuable info on pre and post surgery along with your reduction. Your surgeon may be concerned with doing both surgeries at once and the physical limitations resulting during recovery. Often just having someone who understands can help and we're sure someone will soon comment.

We wish you the best.

The Mods

knmtwins · October 2014

I don't see why you couldn't do it or even do a bilateral mastectomy. I too want to be smaller, so an option was a LARGE lumpectomy (taking more than they needed) and a reduction, a skin sparing mastectomy with reconstruction and a reduction on the other side, or taking both and reconstruction. That is the way I decided to go. Have you spoken to the PS yet? What do they recomend?

sonclem · October 2014

I did the mastectomy on the right breast and a reduction/lift on the left. It was done simultaneously. I went from a double D to a full C. I also had a tissue expander inserted to prepare me for reconstruction. If you go this route, be prepared for the fact that you will have very limited use of your arms as well as movement for at least the 1st week. I couldn't even wipe myself. Needless to say, I feel no shame now. I'm glad I went this route and am looking forward to the reconstruction phase.

IzzyF · November 2014

Hi, thanks for your replies. I have since seen the PS and the BS again. The PS said I could do the mastectomy, immediate reconstruction with lat flap plus implant (since I don´t have enough tissue), and reduction on the other side all at the same time. I was surprised that immediate reconstruction was an option since I'm having radiation and fully expected my conservative BS to nix the idea, but she didn't, so it looks like that's what I'll be doing, and I'm very happy to get it all over with in just one surgery. The other good news is that they may move the surgery to the week before, depending on availability of operating theaters, so I would be out in time for the holidays.

sonclem, thanks for the warning. I guess wiping me will be one more thing my dear partner will have to put up with.

Does anyone happen to have a link to some sort of chart/diagram/photos of different breast sizes, not necessarily cancer related? Google has not been too helpful - mostly jokey/pornographic rather than medical. I would like to be able to show the PS where I would like to be in terms of size because I think it's smaller than what she thinks. Surprisingly she didn't have any samples to show me. (I'm in the public health system in Europe - great care but very bare bones!)

thanks!

Izzy

Masectomy with reduction on other side?

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