Reduction Surgery: Questions, Results, etc.

VLH · November 2017

My first questions to get this topic started:

Did you found your first mammogram after surgery painful?

How long after surgery did you wait?

Did you have a typical mammogram or 3D?

I'm due for my semi-annual mammogram, the first since bilateral reduction surgery in mid-July. My plastic surgeon mentioned waiting six months for a mammogram,. I saw my MO this week. She said that timeframe is based on discomfort during the procedure. She used fairly firm pressure during the exam and felt I could tolerate the mammogram now, four months post-up. My most recent mammograms involved minimal discomfort, but that was with pendulous breasts consisting mostly of skin after a 100-pound weight loss. Now, the remaining breast tissue is compressed into a much smaller "package" with a large area of scar tissue along the incision line of my non-cancer breast. I have triple negative cancer so am at increased risk for recurrence, which makes me hesitant to delay the test. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Lyn

momoschki · November 2017

I did not have cancer, but had a bilateral reduction following a dx of ADH. I had an excisional biopsy followed by the reduction 3 months later. First mammogram was 6 months after the reduction and I don’t remember it being any more painful than before- if anything, it was more comfortable because I was smaller. I’ve had both traditional 2D mammograms and 3D. Also ongoing US and MRI. So far there have been no problems distinguishing scar tissue from anything potentially abnormal going on and it has been nearly 7 years. Very pleased with the tesumts

VLH · November 2017

That sounds promising, momoschki. I had to look up ADH. Hopefully, reducing the amount of breast tissue and on the alert will keep you safe.

Does the 3D mammogram involve a longer period with the breasts being compressed? I'm not sure if my insurance would authorize one, but it seems like enhanced accuracy would be advantageous with a higher risk of local recurrence.

My surgery was definitely a success medically in terms of reducing neck and shoulder pain related to hoisting my F/ G breasts up from my waistline. I ended up with an infection requiring daily IV antibiotics after a seroma was drained related to my first lumpectomy so was pleased that there were no such issues with the reduction. Unlike my lumpectomies, I had no issues with anesthesia during the lengthy reduction procedure.

The cosmetic results were somewhat disappointing. Radiation helped shrink the dog ear on my back on my cancer side, but it looks like I have a little pointy third breast on the other side. More, disconcerting, as my breasts dropped and the swelling receded, my nipples started pointing upward instead of forward to a point that I worry about an unauthorized appearance if I wear a swimsuit or even a boat neck shirt. The plastic surgeon said she could reduce the distance from the nipple to the fold, which would point the nipples forward; however, I would lose volume. I'd lost 100 pounds so mostly had lots of skin removed leaving less actual breast tissue than ideal remaining to mold the new breasts.

Thanks for your input!

Lyn

momoschki · November 2017

I had visible dog ears soon after surgery as well. Now, over 6 years later, they are barely visible, so your situation may improve over time. My scars are pretty much invisible now, too.

I had a 3D mammogram for the first time last month, and it didn’t seem to me that the compression lasted any longer than with the 2D

VLH · November 2017

Thanks for the encouraging news, momoschki!

Lyn

Reduction Surgery: Questions, Results, etc.

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