What is better if you have implants - lumpectomy or mastectomy?

hi there

I had implants when I was diagnosed with Stage I. I had a tiny IDC as well, left side. I thought I would have to get my implant removed before radiation, because that's what Dr. Google said. But that was wrong. Implants stayed in.

I had a LOT of tissue taken out before I got clean margins.

Radiation went fine. It was my left breast and the radiation folks told me that my implant would protect my heart. There was no hardness or any other implant problem that developed after radiation. Later, I lost weight, and the difference in cup size became noticeable, so I had fat grafting, so now both sides are symmetrical. And, the plastic surgeon who did the fat grafting also smoothed out the lumpectomy scar area as well.

I'm glad I chose lumpectomy and would do so again. I hope that whatever your choice is, makes you equally happy.

thank you so much for this question. I have recently been diagnosed with IDC and have implants. I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday and felt so confused. I was not sure if I should have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. These answers have helped out a lot.

Renee, I'm so sorry you didn't have a choice. Thank you for sharing your honest feelings. You have given such positive energy by sharing your recommendations and your experience.

Too often, surgery discussions focus on "get rid of 'em" without examining the pain and loss that is a sad part of mastectomy. Implants are cold. They do not feel like natural breast tissue to the wearer. Rarely do I hear from women whose breast surgeons explained this beforehand.

In three years of counseling breast cancer patients, what I hear most often is sadness over breast loss, especially younger women. That doesn't always mean regret. But some women felt rushed into surgery, and didn't have adequate time to process cancer grief and mastectomy grief. Grief is healthy and necessary.

Renee, I hope your recovery includes immense healing. Like adopted children, implants aren't biologically yours, but they become yours, through choice. They eventually become part of your identity, just like your natural breasts were.

Personally, I never liked the jokey T-shirt that proclaims the wearer has fake breasts because "the real ones tried to kill me." My breasts aren't m enemy. My friend lost part of a leg to cancer, and I can't imagine him wearing a shirt that expresses a similar distaste for his leg.

Dfarm - that's great news that you have the option. Plus, your BC surgeon seems to really be giving you the green light for lumpectomy. Fingers crossed that you'll be BRCA negative.

TarheelMichelle - thank you so much for those kind words. I'm still in discomfort all the time except when asleep. This new iron bra is a crazy feeling. I miss my saggy boobs. Just trying to breath and give it time.

I'm curious did your insurance cover the mastectomy then the implants? My fear is I will go in they will find more cancer cells but insurance won't cover the mastectomy. Is that unusual? I'm notsure. Thank you for sharing your story. This is so much to take in, in such a short amount of time

loveandlight, no need to feel rushed to decide. Take your time. Take a month, two months. Your surgeon's scheduler may bug you to set a date; the scheduler doesn't have to look at your body in the bathroom mirror every day.

Insurance is required to cover revisions no matter how far out from original surgery. My fat grafting was covered, even though it was 6 years after my lumpectomy. You can also have a lumpectomy ... then see that the results aren't what you had hoped, then have mastectomy. You can't go backwards though. You can't have mastectomy, then ask for the breast tissue to be put back. Can't happen. :-)