Comparison recovery/pain....reduction or mastectomy??

Options
dancingdiva
dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
edited December 2014 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I need to decide between reducing my G boob or getting a mastectomy? If I have to get a reduction and move the nipple...how does this compare in terms of recovery, pain, shoulder ROM or problems verses getting a mastectomy?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Luckydog42
    Luckydog42 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    My mother's friend, who is like my breast cancer mentor, had a UMX and a breast reduction on her other breast. She told me the most painful part of all this was her reduction. It was painful for her because the reduction was made through her nipple. But, everyone has different experiences. Hopefully someone else will post their experience.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancingdiva
    dancingdiva Member Posts: 475
    edited December 2014

    thanks lucky dog for responding! I need all the info I can get

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2014

    I had a lumpectomy and bi-lat reduction.

    Personally for me it was quite painful, more than for most people.

    I had pretty bad pain for about 6 weeks.

    Still I would do it again. If you have a desire to conserve your breast I think it is worth the pain that did subside.

    I did also end up with frozen shoulder which was SUPER painful, but that happens with mastectomy patients too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited December 2014

    I just had a reduction. It is painful and you do nothing for 2 weeks. My PS said mastectomy is easier for the surgeon because they just take everything where reduction they try to give you some assemblance of breast and symmetry. Reduction is definitely tougher for the PS. I was also told healing time is the same with either.

    I must admit at 2 weeks post-op my pain is not bad. I had it done to hopefully lessens movement which was causing major nerve pain in the breast on the radiated side. It has helped my other chronic neck, clavicle and shoulder pain.

    Edit to add: - they moved my nipple and that is doing great. No problem there. I get the stitches taken out of the nipple next week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited December 2014

    i had BMX and only needed plain tylenol the 2nd day. I was surprised that there was so little pain even though i had axillary node ressection.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited December 2014

    Just wanted to weigh in here with my experience. I had a lumpectomy and then a bilateral reduction. I did not have a mastectomy, so in obviously can't compare the two. I would say that the first 3 weeks after the surgery were uncomfortable, but by no means excruciating. I was able to go about my everyday business rather quickly. By the end of week 3 I did a 30 mile bike ride. Now, 31/2 years later, the scars are barely visible. By 6 weeks post-op I was back in the gym doing my usual routine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chloesmom
    Chloesmom Member Posts: 1,053
    edited December 2014

    Like Wren I took Tylenol for 2 days when I had a BMX 2 weeks ago. The node area feels like I slipped a little shaving under the arm but otherwise no problem. Can't comment on reduction. Wish you peace with your choice and an easy recovery

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories