Talk to a plastic surgeon BEFORE surgery?

EbonyEyes · September 2015

Talked to two surgeons. So glad I got that second opinion -- second surgeon is taking a much more conservative approach and seems much more optimistic about my prognosis, even used the word "cure". Thanks to all who recommended getting a second opinion! Seeing an oncologist tomorrow. Should I also see a plastic surgeon before surgery? I want reconstruction but will probably wait 6 to 12 months. If I need radiation/chemo will definitely wait. The surgeon wants to do surgery next week. He says this has been going on too long(It's been 10 weeks since I found the lump and one month since the biopsy results) and I may loose the benefit of early detection. I don't understand. Everyone(medical personnel) that I've talked to has said the cancer was caught early and everyone seems excited about it's small size(0.03 cm). No one seemed to think there was such an urgent rush when they were making me wait weeks for tests then weeks for results. Then the hospital delayed the biopsy for a week over a fuss about my blood pressure -- then when they did the biopsy they didn't even check my bp! I know everyone here has much more knowledge about these things than I do. Should I see a plastic surgeon first?

BTW, I have two areas of DCIS and one area of IDC/DCIS. Both surgeons said three lumpectomies would take most of the breast anyway and recommended mastectomy, said it would be easier on me(?). So I'm going to loose the breast anyway. Mastectomy isn't a factor.

dlb823 · September 2015

Ebony, sorry you're dealing with this, but I think mastectomy sounds like the right choice, partly because with 3 known areas of concern, it's entirely possible they may find additional atypical (pre-DCIS) areas when they do the pathology, as well as you not being happy with the cosmetic outcome of multiple lumpectomies.

As far as seeing a reconstructive plastic surgeon now, I don't think I would delay your surgery for it. As long as your breast surgeon knows you want future reconstruction, he should be able to take that into consideration and leave the appropriate amount of skin. OTOH, if you can get a quick appointment with a plastic surgeon and it will ease your mind, that's fine too. I would just be sure to discuss your desire for recon with your surgeon, so that he can take that into consideration.

As far as no rush suddenly turning into one, I think "no rush" meant you didn't have to panic and make surgery decisions within the first week or two without gathering as much information as possible. But, as you said, it's now been 10 weeks, so your surgeon's desire not to wait any longer is understandable.

Good luck with your surgery! You sound like you're in a much better frame of mind than you were a few weeks ago! Hugs, Deanna

Talk to a plastic surgeon BEFORE surgery?

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