Lumpectomy/Reduction Question

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited December 2018 in Breast Reconstruction
Lumpectomy/Reduction Question
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  • suzilks1
    suzilks1 Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2018

    Hi! I just found the forum. I was recently diagnosed with ER+ PR+ HER2- IDC grade 2 in my left breast. So far the plan is lumpectomy followed by radiation. I am meeting with the PS today and I'm wondering if there are any specific questions I haven't thought of that should be covered? I just found out about the idea of lumpectomy plus bilateral reduction and since i have large breasts that give me killer backaches I am definitely hoping I can. TIA

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited March 2018

    I'm about to have my second lumpectomy and didn't even think about PS--I'm fine being a little lopsided, and really with clothing on nobody would ever notice (and I had a huge chunk taken out the first time). That said, I'd be all for smaller breasts too! (My RO said that after this one I'll probably be pretty well balanced. ;-) )

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  • Joeychen
    Joeychen Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2018

    Suzi, your dx is v.similar to mine! I was dx March 2016

    I had a lumpectomy, and did ask for and was able to have bilateral reduction. I loved my oncology surgeon, the PS, eh, not sure. Hard to say now, as yay chemo brain and who knows maybe it was discussed, but I feel like we never had a good discussion over how much reduction to get (they only took me to a D, I wish it was a C), wether a lift is involved, and where the scars/incisions would be.

    I unfortunately ended up losing my nipple on my cancer side. They moved both nipples as part of the reduction. On the cancer side, it just didn't take, and got all black, ick. I had to go back in for an additional surgery for some margin, so they took the nipple off then. However on the non cancer side, the nipple recovered fine. But..feel like they sewed it up tight, so it's always erect, and then on the cancer side - totally flat. I'm always looking for comfy padded bras now. I have feeling in the remaining nipple still, but none on the cancer side.

    I keep meaning to have an appt with my PS to see what she can do about the flat side. Also have some symmetry issues I want to get her input on.

    good luck with your decisions!

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  • kdrake1007
    kdrake1007 Member Posts: 77
    edited April 2018

    Hi suzilks1,

    I was also just diagnosed on my right side, ER+ PR- HER2- and am considering the reduction/lift with the lumpectomy next Monday. I'm a really full DD and I'd love to be much smaller. But I read one thread here that mentioned that radiation can cause the lx breast to shrink and am concerned now that the symmetry I'm trying to get with the reduction/lift would be ruined if radiation causes shrinkage. What did you end up deciding to do? I'm meeting with the PS on Wednesday and will ask lots of questions.


    Thanks!

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  • pleasantsa
    pleasantsa Member Posts: 18
    edited April 2018

    Hi kdrake,

    I hope you get some response to your question because I'm interested too. I have always had huge assymetry and since my cancer is in the larger breast I want to do a reduction with the lumpectomy. I'd like to know if contracture is a regular occurrence with rads or what.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Hi kdrake1007-

    Welcome to BCO! We hope you find the support and information you need here :) You may want to read through our Radiation forum, there's lot of great info there from members who've been through or are currently undergoing radiation, and you may find some info regarding rads and breast shrinkage: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70

    The Mods

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  • Lorri70
    Lorri70 Member Posts: 191
    edited April 2018

    I am having a reduction in June on my non cancer breast, I had my nipple removedand it looked fine shape wise and not that much size difference, I had 20 sessions of radiation and my breast shrank a lot so I've had a nipple reconstruction and now I'm going to have non cancer side reduced I'm looking forward to this but I really am nervous too. Skin is all fine and scar it's just big difference size wiae

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  • suzilks1
    suzilks1 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    I did end up having the bilateral reduction at the same time which turned out to be a blessing since the tumor turned out to be two small tumors and they were able to take three times the safe margins. My plastic surgeon left my affected breast a tiny bit larger to account for shrinkage from radiation. So far I am very pleased with my decision. A silver lining in this cancer cloud to have less back pain and less breast tissue.

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  • Resting
    Resting Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2018

    Just finding this forum and I have a question for anyone who has had breast reduction on the non cancerous breast. Did you have nipple sensitivity? And if so for how long? And what did you use to help w it?

    After almost 9 years I had reduction on the side that did not have cancer. I'm 3 weeks out and healing well but the nipple is so sensitive I can hardly stand to have anything touching it. I've tried putting the nursing pads in my bra bc they are soft, I've tried the round cotton pads used to remove make up. Both are painful whenever I move around. Now I'm trying gel pads but they stick on and I worry my nipple needs air. Ideas??

    Saw my PS and I have no infection, says it's normal nerves reconnecting or something like that. But I need help now. Thinking breast shields might help, has anyone had this problem? Or tried any of these things?

    Resting...but not so well at the moment 😏

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  • Resting
    Resting Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2018

    just finding this forum and I have a question for anyone who has had breast reduction on the non cancerous breast. Did you have bad nipple sensitivity? And if so for how long? And did what did you use to help w it?

    After almost 9 years I had reduction on the side that did not have cancer. I'm 3 weeks out and healing well but the nipple is so sensitive I can hardly stand to have anything touching it. I've tried putting the nursing pads in my bra bc they are soft, I've tried the round cotton pads used to remove make up. Both are painful whenever I move around.

    Saw my PS and I have no infection, says it's normal nerves reconnecting or something like that. Need help now. Thing breast shields, has anyone had this problem?

    Resting...but not so well at the moment 😏

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  • Resting
    Resting Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2018

    Just finding this forum and I have a question for anyone who has had breast reduction on the non cancerous breast. Did you have nipple sensitivity? And if so for how long? And what did you use to help w it?

    After almost 9 years I had reduction on the side that did not have cancer. I'm 3 weeks out and healing well but the nipple is so sensitive I can hardly stand to have anything touching it. I've tried putting the nursing pads in my bra bc they are soft, I've tried the round cotton pads used to remove make up. Both are painful whenever I move around. Now I'm trying gel pads but they stick on and I worry my nipple needs air. Ideas??

    Saw my PS and I have no infection, says it's normal nerves reconnecting or something like that. But I need help now. Thinking breast shields might help, has anyone had this problem? Or tried any of these things?

    Resting...but not so well at the moment 😏

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  • Mymomsgirl
    Mymomsgirl Member Posts: 174
    edited December 2018

    Suzilks1 I'm having the same procedure you did with Intraoperative Radiation. I'm curious how long your recovery was?

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