Lumpectomy of Mastectomy

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Nurselola1973
Nurselola1973 Member Posts: 21
edited April 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Got my pathology report, feeling positive!

Had genetic testing today and have to wait 2-3 weeks. Friday appointment with plastic surgeon should I choose bilateral mastectomy.

Leaning towards total mastectomy, don't wanna go thru this again!

Thoughts?

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  • smc123
    smc123 Member Posts: 71
    edited April 2018

    Nurselola1973, So sorry you find yourself here...but I would do a lot of research about both. I did not get the choice for my left breast...and I requested to have the right removed. I wish I would have done my research. I was pretty clueless...I had no idea I would lose all sensation/feeling in my chest area. It has been over twenty months since I had my double mastectomy and one year since I had my expanders replaced and I still haven't gotten used to the changes of my body. It feels like I am wearing an iron bra and I don't sleep comfortably. I'm thinking now I wish had kept my right side. Good luck to you in what ever decision you make.

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  • Mucki1991
    Mucki1991 Member Posts: 294
    edited April 2018

    Let's not forget that implants with no breast tissue (at least mine which are silicone) have zero warmth. I know your head is reeling over this but slow down take a breath before you jump down the mastectomy rabbit hole. I turn 44 this year and I would give anything to have my pre-treatment body back. I loved my natural boobs .. Don;t get my wrong my plastics guy did a great job but these are not mine, they do not feel the same or look same or function the same. Mastectomy is an amputation of the breast. Some ladies have an easier time with the surgery and some ladies have a really horrible experience and outcome. Iron bra is common complaint also.. Feel free to private message me if you have any questions.

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  • Rrobin0200
    Rrobin0200 Member Posts: 433
    edited April 2018

    I had a BMX, and am so grateful that I did. This is a personal choice, so you have to do what is best for you.

    My recovery was quick and easy and my boobs look better than ever. Zero regrets here. But, I did loose almost all sensation. I’m ok with that. My boobs served their purpose.. feeding my children... so, I figured what the heck? My boobs are perkier and fuller than when I was in my 20s! I had an incredible plastic surgeon here in NOLA. Didn’t even have expanders. Went straight to implants. Again, no regrets but I do understand that some women will not agree with me. As I stated above, it’s a a personal decision and I was just giving you my perspective.


    Best wishes.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited April 2018

    As others have stated it’s a personal decision. Mastectomy has lower recurrence risk than lumpectomy + rads but both harvsame overall survival rate. So mastectomy may save you from a recurrence diagnosis.

    I opted for BMX and went with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. I had it done down in NOLA and traveled for it. They basically do a tummy tuck and use that tissue to build new breasts. If you’re on the thin side, they can use your hips/rear end to do the procedure and you get a butt lift instead of tummy tuck. I was able to do skin & nipple sparing mx so everything inside and out is 100% me. My breasts are soft and warm. They move with and will age with me. And best of all, they feel like me “from the inside”. It’s almost like none of this ever happened. Almost. I do look better now than I did when i started and I looked pretty darn good then. I’m overall very pleased with the choices I made for mastectomy and DIEP flap recon and would do it again in a heartbeat.

    www.breastcenter.com


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2018

    I had very dense breasts, which hide trouble (and did in my case for like 5 years/5 "clear" mammos which weren't really clear at all!) as well as ILC, which tends to be more multifocal (in both breasts) than IDC, e.g.

    I went for a mammogram. I still grieve the loss of sensation in my breasts, but feel better knowing that I don't have to worry about something hiding from scans any longer. If there is a recurrence I at least can say I'm glad I did what I could to protect myself.

    Claire in AZ

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