Lumpectomy + Oncoplastic Surgery (Reduction & Lift Both Breasts)

Aragorn · May 2019

Hi All,

My wife(30) is scheduled to be operated in mid June. We have opted for an Oncoplastic Surgery involving a Lumpectomy in the cancerous breast and reduction + Lift in both breasts in the same surgery.

We are still not 100% sure about this choice though.

Is there anyone who has opted for this? Does anyone have reasons to avoid this? Our Doctor is advising a larger reduction in size (From D to B cup) - He thinks any smaller reduction and the lift will be very short lived and the breasts will not be identical.

We would love to hear your experiences and thoughts. How long is the recovery process? Were you happy with the results?

She has an ER/PR+ IDC which was Metastatic De novo, which is why we don't really want to go into multiple surgeries. She is on Harmonal Treatment currently.

Thank you for all your help in advance!

mom2bunky · May 2019

hi Aragon,

I just had exactly this on Friday. I went home the same day. Pain was a half Percocet the first night, mostly to sleep, then Tylenol for two days. I had full arm movement in two days and the drains came out on Monday. I have to say it was easier than I ever imagined. So I am very happy about that. I've not found the courage to look at them yet, but my husband has and is very encouraging that we made the right decision.

I can't comment if it's the best way to go for your wife, our diagnoses are different. But I hope my recent experience is helpful to you.

Oh I should add that I was a D/DD depending on the bra, and plastic surgeon told me I’d likely be a B or a small C at most. I’m okay with that, but it’s very personal of course

Moderators · May 2019

Hi Aragorn-

Welcome to our community! We hope you find this to be a supportive and informative place for you and your wife. We know it's a lot to process, but everyone here knows what you're going through.

Deciding on the surgery can be tough! It's a very personal decision, and your wife should consider all her options and find the one that works best for her and your lifestyle. You mention not being 100% on the surgery - what are your reasons for being unsure? It's certainly a big decision, and it wouldn't hurt to get a second or third opinion. It's hard to compare recoveries and results, as everyone's body and diagnosis is different. But perhaps speaking with another surgeon to get a different perspective could be helpful! Please keep on posted on what she decides, we wish you all the best with whatever path you take!

The Mods

Aragorn · May 2019

Thank you for your response @mom2bunky. Despite the fact that the underlying diagnoses are different, reading about your experience was very helpful and sheds some light on what we can expect. We had not found a lot of information online on this procedure and therefore were in doubt about the recovery time, pain and overall experience - thank you for breaking it down in such detail. I hope that my wife sees a similar recovery path.

While our doctors are being very supportive and helpful, we have always relied heavily on learning from those who have been on a similar path.

Aragorn · May 2019

@Moderators - Thank you for the warm welcome! I am glad I discovered this community, albeit a little late in our treatment journey.

With regards to the Surgery - We are very sure we would like to proceed with the Lumpectomy. We have had extensive conversations with the Doctor (Plastic Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist) on the Reduction and Lift. From what we understand - if not enough mass is reduced from the breast then the lift reverses over time. If this happens then there will be mismatch between the radiated breast and the non radiated breast.

The Doctors have explained this and we have planned to proceed with sufficient Breast reduction to avoid this. However, we felt it would be better if we also read experiences of others who have had similar procedures and their long term results. Has anyone who has gone through this surgery seen a reversal of the lift?

ShetlandPony · May 2019

While I don’t have much input about your wife’s surgery plan, I do want to suggest you read the thread about toradol. The idea is that using it during surgery may minimize inflammation that could possibly promote mets.

Salamandra · May 2019

I have seen people find it useful to get multiple opinions from multiple plastic surgeons.

Another question I would have is whether it might make sense to do just the lumpectomy and radiation now and revisit the plastic surgery after recovery - a year or so down the road. This could be especially good if you end up dealing with any surprises from the pathology, re-excisions, etc. Then the plastic surgeon could deal with the reality of the impact of lumpectomy and radiation on her breast, instead of guessing and anticipating.

Ingerp · May 2019

I've had lumpectomies on both sides, one quite large, and never considered reconstruction. Yes I'm a little lopsided but all women are. You can't tell when I'm wearing clothes, and my husband has been fine with it. I agree that you might want to hold off on the PS decision. Lumpectomies alone are really easy surgeries--many women don't even take any prescription pain meds afterwards. She may find 6-12 months down the road that she's fine with her breasts as is. (And I don't want to scare you but the women I know who've had post-op issues have all been related to the reconstruction.)

mom2bunky · May 2019

Aragorn,

So glad you found it helpful. I will always remember you as the very first post where I could try to be useful to someone in all this.

Great advice above. I just wanted you to know why I chose this because all the options above with respect to waiting on reconstruction etc are valid. Firstly, I too had massive doubts about the lumpectomy vs bmx, but I was talked down by the breast surgeon that in my case it was a 50/50 choice and that in some studies they're seeing a slight benefit to lumpectomy/radiation over bmx for women in my situation. I got a second opinion, same.

It's normal to second guess and worry there's a better choice. Ask questions, don't be shy, and listen.

As to the plastics, yes they can wait. Absolutely. I didn't wait because I had never had surgery before in my life and wanted to minimize them. Doctors concurred so fine. I also am older than your wife, nursed a child for two years and wanted something nice to come out of this and vanity prevailed. Bear in mind that symmetry isn't the end goal here. I'll likely have some assymetry especially after radiation they told me. But I wasn't symmetrical to begin with so it's okay.

Keep asking questions of your doctors, get that second opinion. Whatever you need so you feel you've made the best, most informed decision for you. You will get there

mom2bunky · May 2019

tes

Aragorn · May 2019

@ShetlandPony - Thank you for mentioning this, I had not come across Toradol earlier. Will read up on this and bring it up on our next appointment.

@Salamandra and @Ingerp - Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. From what we have learnt so far - Once the breast is Radiated - doing a Lift and Reduction becomes VERY difficult. Which is why it is more of a Yes or No decision with no scope for a Maybe. We don't mind either but we have to decide before the surgery. Will definitely keep your suggestions in mind.

@mom2bunky - Thank you! You were the first person to comment on my first post

Lumpectomy + Oncoplastic Surgery (Reduction & Lift Both Breasts)

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