2 lumpectomies, expecting radiation... now mastectomy!

Yes and am very glad I did, because the non-DCIS breast ended up having Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia, Lobular Carcinoma in Situ, and an intraductal papilloma -- all of which indicate a higher likelihood that I would have developed cancer in that breast anyway. None of those had shown up previously on mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI.

I had immediate reconstruction, direct-to-implant (no tissue expanders), with smooth round silicone implants placed above the muscle. The recovery was not bad at all and 10 weeks out I am pleased with the results. While I miss my real breasts, I am thrilled to be cancer-free and to not need radiation, chemo, or any other treatment. And no more mammograms, ever! Just an MRI years from now.

Eventually I plan to get 3-D nipple tattoos once my scars heal more.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

yes -- me.

I'm lying here in my hospital bed after bilateral mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction (yesterday).

I had DCIS in my left breast and it was high grade and I felt pain and uncomfortable from it. And i felt the tumor up against the nipple so I knew I was losing it. I had doubts (swatting a fly with a hammer) but I had 2 other spots in the same breast and im small size (barely a B cup). And since I wanted DIEP and it's a one shot deal I did them both.

I wonder if some people are steered toward lumpectomy Bc of the cost.

I hope you find the treatment that is best for you!

And Newfi Nl are you from new foundland? My grandparents came from there :

Newfie-it’s not uncommon to do BMX just for symmetry vs uni. There could also be something going on in the other breast as some other ladies have pointed out or something could pop up in the other breast later if you leave it. I started out with calcifications then DCIS then idc and opted for BMX and like justkeepmoving I did immediate DIEP. Everyone wants the treatment plan that’s least disruptive to their lives, however sometimes the least disruptive can end up being quite disruptive, uncomfortable or even not pleasing (the way implants look for recon is not the same as how they look for augmentation) when we look at the long term. Definitely look into the different types of recon and go with the one that will give you the overall outcome you want. DIEP or natural tissue recon that does not use implants or muscle gives you the most natural looking and feeling recon breasts. Also, travel for reconis quite common as well. You dohave more options than just the 2 guys locally.

long story short for me is The only thing I would change in my decisions was I would have opted for bilateral Mastectomy when I needed my right breast removed because in Hind sight I ended up doing my left too. You can read my story in my profile. The breast surgeon and Plastic Surgeon offered and I chose unilateral . It would have saved me a few surgeries.

same boat....also 44 and after 2 lumpectomies, still no clean margins. Can’t do radiation on that side now. I am trying to decide between unilateral or bilateral....the MRI just came back totally unremarkable on the healthy side, so the oncologist said it would be a philosophical choice more than a medical one

I have decided on no reconstruction, at least for now. I’m sick of dr appts and just want the fastest easiest path to being done as I can. Also decided just to do one side for now. I can always do the other side later, but it will be nice to have one good arm during recovery and one side with feeling. My DCIS is behind my nipple so I can’t do nipple sparing. Good luck to you too....this sucks

kimmy_nl

I was diagnosed with DCIS in my right breast in February 2018 . I got the opinion of three oncologist as to whether I should remove both breasts or just the right breast . They believed that I did not need to remove the left breast unless I was worried about symmetry and that I could have reconstructive surgery to obtain symmetry. I had a unilateral MX and after 3 months of fills in the tissue expanderI just had exchange surgery to remove my TIssue Expander and put in a silicone implant. I received fat grafting around the implant to gain fullness and contour. A reduction and lift was done on my left healthy breast . I’m four days out from surgery and am happy with the results. My PS says that I won’t see the full results for about 4 months. I’m going to have nipple reconstruction on the implanted breast in December and if by then my PS thinks we need to do anymore contouring around the implant breast he will do so them .