Reduction after unilateral mastectomy

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Reduction after unilateral mastectomy

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  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited June 2009

    I will soon be consulting a plastic surgeon about reduction of the healthy breast.  I haven't really seen anything on the boards about this topic.  I would really like to hear the pros and cons from y'all.  Especially if you were large chested.  I know I want a reduction but just need more input than the surgeons before I commit.  Thanks.

  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2007

    I've never heard of anyone doing this, but it makes sense to me for someone who is very large breasted and wants to be able to go with a smaller breast form or who just wants to have a less noticeable difference between both sides of their chest. I do think that women with smaller breasts have an easier time going natural or wearing a breast form.

    ~elaine~ 

  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited October 2007

    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.

  • burquie
    burquie Member Posts: 129
    edited October 2007

    I had my rightside mastectomy/reconstruction on May1. While the surgeon was performing the mastectomy, the plastic surgeon was doing a reduction on the left side. Then by the time that was done she moved to the right to begin the reconstruction. I just thought that the reductionof the other side was the norm with a mastectomy.

  • starzhere
    starzhere Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2007

    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~ 

  • LINBAD2
    LINBAD2 Member Posts: 43
    edited July 2008

    I was just diagnosed and will have my MRI today. Due to location of mass my Dr says I may need to do modified mastectomy and consider reconstruction or he said to use prothesis. The prothesis route seems to be a hassel with all I am reading and I too have large breasts 44DD so I do not really want to always be worried about mis-match. How did your surgery go if I may ask. Do you know if they always reduce the good side or do they use tissue from belly fat or whatever. Still unsure as to this whole process and I am just trying to get more info to better help me make a choice when it comes time for that.

  • LorenaB
    LorenaB Member Posts: 937
    edited July 2008

    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

  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 886
    edited June 2009

    Linbad2:

    I ended up not having the reduction.  Not because I don't still want it but the consult for the plastic surgery group my insurance approved didn't go well.  I have to have confidence in my PS and this one did not inspire me at all.

    I asked around and got great recommendations for another PS (saw some great results of his work).  Unfortunately, he is not taking any new patients at this time so I'm in a waiting game hoping that once he begins taking patients again, I can get the insurance company to co-operate again.

    Reconstruction is a wholly different thing than reduction.  I opted out of reconstruction as it just wasn't for me.  I do know that if you choose reconstruction, then the reduction on the non-cancer side to achieve symetry is somewhat common.  If you choose to go that route, you'll have the opportunity to pick your size. 

  • talbrig13
    talbrig13 Member Posts: 488
    edited July 2008

    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!

  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited July 2008

    I had a right mastectomy in 2004 with no reconstruction.  My left breast was a D.

    In 2007 I had a reduction of Leftbreast and silicone implant and am now an a/b and absolutely love it.  I do wear sports bras but don't really have to wear a bra now.

  • sandysherby
    sandysherby Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2008

    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

  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited August 2008

    I'm so happy to see this post.  After lumpectomy on right left it much smaller than left which is a large C/small D - I'm wondering about reduction as well.  I would be very interested in the pathology of the tissue too.  I even wonder if they could reduce both of them.  Wondering if this would increase the odds against return of BC.  Thanks for posting this!!!!

  • dixiekriket
    dixiekriket Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2008

    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.

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited August 2008

    I am relatively newly diagnosed, but while waiting in the Dr. office was reading a book, and apparently, the book said it was a FEDEARL LAW that once a woman had breast cancer that reconstruction would inclue the "other" breast (either reconstruction or surgery so they match).

    See below, I also found it on the Web:

     http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/cen/canc/brca/alert11092001.jsp

    "The 1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law -- sometimes referred to as the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 -- requires group and individual health insurance plans to cover reconstructive surgery after mastectomy, as well as implants and other work needed to make the other breast symmetrical - that is, to make both breasts match. "

    Springtime 

  • Maryiz
    Maryiz Member Posts: 975
    edited August 2008

    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

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 5,355
    edited August 2008
    I also wonder the same thing as Mary, above.

    I wonder how well a "regulular but lifted" healthy breast and on the other side - an implant (or otherwise reconstructed breast) would look as a set?  Does anybody know or have input?
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited August 2008

    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. 

  • Maryiz
    Maryiz Member Posts: 975
    edited August 2008

    Erica, thanks for the information.  Can you tell me, is one hard and one soft?  THanks,Mary

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited August 2008

    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.

  • scorpio
    scorpio Member Posts: 58
    edited August 2008

    It's all about the plastic surgeon. You can read real horror stories about reconstruction and others that are extremely pleased. I was lucky, I had a unilateral mastectomy with a reduction on the other side for symmetry, and I one of the ones who is extremely pleased. My p.s.showed me pictures of his work in cases exactly like mine. I was recommended to him by my breast surgeon who works with him all the time. He only does breast reconstruction. Not every plastic surgeon is an expert in breast reconstruction. If you get a good surgeon, you can get a good result. The most important factor, before the technique, is the surgeon.

    I know not everyone lives in a metropolitan area where they have access to choices, but it might be worth travelling farther to go to someone with a really good reputation.

    Hope this helps

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