Lumpectomy and reconstruction

I had a lumpectomy and re-excision in June 2014 and radiation in September 2014. Now a year later, I am having my first consultation for reconstruction tomorrow, another consultation next week with another doctor and a third consultation with Dr. Khouri in Miami on Oct 6th (yay!!) I did a small consultation with a surgeon before radiation began, but was basically told that a flap would be my only option, unless I wanted to go ahead and go back under for a "finishing mastectomy" and get full implants. But I had my heart set that my <1cm, grade 1, stage 1 did not feel right to do a full mastectomy, so pressed forward with only lumpectomy and radiation. My indentation is not that bad (looks like the right side of my breast is flattened against an invisible table) and you cant really see my scar unless I lift my arms up naked. I do see the difference in the radiated side is already more perky, partly b/c the way they pin-tucked up the incision it added a smidge of fullness at the top; I can see how my unradiated side will soon look droopy by comparison.

I would love to hear experiences too - and will share what these doctors say. Based on research I feel like Dr. Khouri is the only one who has the approach to deal with radiated skin effectively.... but we will see what they all say.

Daisy-Donna - Check into fat grafting for your radiated breast. The fat can be placed in the indented area as well as throughout the breast to increase the size. (It is possible that it will need to be done in more than one grafting session.) The plastic surgeon you choose should ideally have a lot of experience with fat grafting, as the surgeon's skill and technique are the most important factors in the outcome.

I had a lumpectomy in 2005, but a very large area was removed above my nipple and when the incision was closed it literally pulled my nipple up. I joked that it looked like my breasts were winking at you. Complete with an eyebrow (scar).The breast was much smaller than the other. I had mammosite radiation and started to see a lot of changes 5 years after the radiation. Scarring actually got worse and I started having pain, I made an appt then for a ps. Even though my breast size was ok on the "good" side, my ps put implants bilaterally stating that the fullness would not be the same if she didn't. It was a very small implant on the unaffected side but I could see what she meant. A year after that I had a mastopexy on the good side to lift the nipple to the same level as the radiated side. A suggestion would be to get a few opinions, I probably would have chosen a different surgeon if I had looked, but I used one a friend used. I think there are better options out there as some others have mentioned.