lumpectomy scarring?

marie345356 · November 2014

hi everyone, wasn't sure where to post this. I have had a lump in my breast for a few years with no change and recently had a core biopsy that deemed it to be a fibroadenoma. I am 18 years old.

There were alternating views on whether or not I should remove it but I have decided I would like to as I heard because the tumor is solid, in the future it could give me difficulty to see behind it during screenings (I am also aware that having surgery has a similar effect as well). I decided to go ahead and book the surgery and my surgery is tomorrow.

The lump is 1cm and just behind the areola. the surgeon insisted it will be a very minor surgery and I am not that worried about the pain itself (we will see tomorrow though lol), but now I am wondering about the cosmetic end. He is a well known surgeon so I have faith. He said he will go around the nipple to leave minimal appearance that I've had surgery. He said it will take about 20 minutes.

I am wondering if anyone has experience and if this may give my breast a distorted look. The lump is small and it has been proven to be benign so I don't know if they'll take extra tissue (I assume not). So I am wondering if my nipple will still look normal or if it will look very wonky.

I tried looking up pictures and I only found a few from benign, small tumors in young girls (the rest were larger lumpectomies which unfoetunately resulted in them having more tissue removed so I didn't think it applied to me).

I'd appreciate any experiences. Thanks so much

Marie

doxie · November 2014

marie398,

I had a fibroadenoma when I was 18. It stayed with me until I had radiation at age 55. My tumor was in another spot. It too was under the areola. The first surgery was to remove the tumor and test for cancer. The radiologist would not do a needle punch biopsy on it because he said it would be too painful. So I had an excisional biopsy. The scar was minimal because they only took out a 1.5 cm lump. The surgeon was going to cut around the nipple so there would be a minimal scar. In the end it was cancer and more tissue had to he removed in a second surgery.

If I'd only had the first, my breast would have healed nicely and it would have had minimal impact on the appearance on the breast.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Janet456 · November 2014

I had a big lump taken out and they went in that way. I am to this day surprised at how tidy a job they did, given that the lump was 5cm by 3cm.

I don't notice any difference to look at myself now.

Good luck to you xx

marie345356 · November 2014

Thank you so much both of you. So sorry that it ended up being something bad doxie..but hope all is good now. I appreciate the info.

Janet, that helps a lot as well. That's a big lump and to have no difference is great!

I just got back from the surgery and all went well..was just given twilight anesthesia and I don;'t remember anything (kind of wish i did, didn't even see the surgeon! lol) Not in much pain and the bandage thing they put on it is pretty small but is bloody and I can't take it off for a few days so i cannot see how the work was done anyways lol but from what I see, everything looks good! was a 20 minute surgery supposedly.

The worst part for me wasn't the surgery, its that they injected me with heparin before (im not even sure why? can you get blood clots in your breast? I thought you can't) and that burned SO much. Maybe some people sit around a lot after surgery so the doc wanted to minimize the risks for clots, idk. But it really hurt! lol

proudtospin · November 2014

marie, so glad all is over and your pain is not much. I had 3 lumpies and honestly, the scar is hardly noticeable so try not to worry. I will take a few days for swelling to go down so try not to stress

marie345356 · November 2014

Thank you very much proudtospin, good to hear yours healed nicely. Its swollen a little bit now but honestly my biopsy felt worse than this. Guess they just used better or different anesthetic.

The pain is a bit more now so I regret not picking up the tylenol 3s that were prescribed (thought that regular extra strength tylenol would be enough). But its manageable and I'm fine. The bandage is all bloody though, hopefully that is normal.

Hopeful82014 · November 2014

Dear Marie - You might call the surgeon's office in the a.m. if you're concerned about the bloody bandage; I probably would, just to be sure it's o.k. or to find out what to do about it. Never hesitate to pick up the phone and call! And don't put it off until Friday afternoon, either, as you may not get a call back until Monday.

Don't be shocked by what it looks like when you do remove the bandaging. There could be dried blood, betadine stains, etc., and it will look worse than it is. Once it's cleaned up it will look much better, and in a few days more it will look quite a bit more normal.

Good luck, and good for you for getting that lump checked out and taken care of. I hope it's the last time you ever have to deal with any treatment of your breasts. We don't want to see you back on this board with cancer.

marie345356 · November 2014

Thank you hopeful That's true..I'm going to call in the morning. Sometimes I feel a bit hesitant as one of the secretaries at the office is very rude but its better to give me peace of mind. I was going to take off the bandage tonight, but I am home alone all night and i am afraid if it looks crazy I'll freak out on my own lol. So I'm waiting until tomorrow when others will be home with me. One side of the spot lifted a bit so I did already see some crusty blood that freaked me out but after reading that its normal, I've calmed down quite a bit. Thank you again.

And thanks for the nice wishes, I wish luck in everything as well

lumpectomy scarring?

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