Reduction after unilateral mastectomy

A friend had a reduction to match her reconstruction.  She is very happy with the results, and from what I understand, this is very common for larger breasted women.  Good luck.

Since, the question was posted here and not on the reconstruction board, I assumed Txgrl was talking about having a reduction of her healthy breast, without having reconstruction and wondered if that were ever done.

Modification of the healthy breast to have it match more closely the new reconstructed one is very common. 

~elaine~ 

I just had a mastectomy 5 days ago -- June 26th.  I was a 36 DDD and decided to have a unilateral mast with immediate reduction on the other side.  My left breast is now a C cup (well, probably a D at the moment because it is still swollen) and it is so CUTE, I am very excited about it!  I do not feel nearly as lopsided as I would have if I had kept my DDD breast.  I do plan to have reconstruction in the near future, and I didn't see the point of reconstructing to match such a huge breast.  Also, I am planning to have a DIEP flap reconstruction and I have just enough abdominal tissue for a full C.  I will be having radiation and then the skin needs time to heal (~ 6 months) before the ps will do reconstruction.

I have never had any evidence of atypical cells or anything suspicious on the left side, so I decided against a double mast, but they will be anaylzing the tissue that they removed to confirm that it is cancer-free.  When I get my pathology report, assuming that they do not find anything on the reduction side, I will feel so much more confident about my decision NOT to have a prophylactic mast.  For me, that was another big advantage to the immediate reduction.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.  Good luck with your decisions!

Lauren

I had a lumpectomy then a reduction on the healthy side.   I just had it done in May.  I am very pleased and the surgeon did a wonderful job.   It was a very easy surgery with very little pain. 

Best wishes to you!

I had a lumpectomy/partial mast. followed by chemo and radiation in 2001. I saw a PS this week for delayed reconstruction and she suggested removing the scar tissue and then reshaping the breast without adding additional tissue. Then reduce the healthy breast to match. This would result in a 36 B instead of the 36 D/DD I have currently. My breasts have always helped balance my hips so I'm not sure I will be happy with breasts so much smaller. Has anyone done this?

Sandy

Had a unilateral mastectomy right side in 4/2000.  Have debated for the past 8 years on having reconstruction with reduction of the left. It just seems to be getting bigger.  Has anyone else had this problem?  I just cannot make up my mind about reconstruction and reduction.  Am amost 55 now, am healthy, but scared to go back to surgery.

Can anyone tell me if both breasts appear uniform after recon on one side only and reduction or do they both require an implant?  I realize that one side may be soft and one hard due to implant, but just wondering if anyone is completely happy with recon. on one side only?  Thanks, Mary

I think one of the benefits of a reduction for a woman who's having an implant on the other side is that, since a "mature" breast generally sags at least a little, a reduction will leave it more perky. Since breasts reconstructed with implants tend to be quite perky, this creates the best possible match, though probably not perfect.

Reconstruction using tissue can result in a breast with a more natural droop, but even there, I think a good plastic surgeon can make them match very well. 

Mary, I'm no expert on this, but I'd think that the reduced breast would still be like your breast has always been--I assume soft. The reconstructed one would hopefully feel pretty soft, but perhaps not the same as your breast. You might want to pose that question on the Reconstruction forum.