Sentinel Node Biopsy and Mastectomy at the same time??

Hello,

I did have my sentinel node removed at the same time as my lumpectomy but it was clear and the surgeon did tell me that if it hadn't been it would have meant a second operation to remove the nodes. 

So I am wondering if your surgeon prefers to have the sentinel node checked so that he can do the node removal, mastectomy and reconstruction which are longer surgeries at the same time. He probably feels that being bruised once is better for you. Removing the sentinel node is relatively quick and using radioactive dye will be an accurate way of detecting any spread.

But I am just guessing and hopefully you will hear soon from others who have had a closer experience. The only similarities is that I did have two general anesthetics in close succession because after my tumour was analysed it was decided I would need chemo( TNBC) and I had a port fitted. I had no ill effects from that situation.

I hope everything goes well for you. I guess as you have dates the treatment will begin quite soon.

Take care. Love Karen

Hi, 

I had a mastectomy, reconstruction on right breast and sentinel biopsy all done together. There was never any mention of them being done separately. My operation was 5 May and I had the injection in my boob the day before, blue dye wasn’t needed when my operation was done. I would ask the question as to why they are wanting to do it this way. I was told that looking at my initial ultrasound and MRI it didn’t look like the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and I got my results on Thursday and I have been lucky no more treatment apart from tamoxifen for 5 years. 

Take care. Xx

Hi Karen, I guess that could be the reason he is recommending two separate surgeries. It didn't occur to me to question this during the consultation appointment on Friday and only wondering about it afterwards. I will try to ask on Monday as my treatment is scheduled in 2 weeks time. Hope you are in the all clear after your surgery and treatments. Thank you for replying. Take care Dee xx

My initial ultrasound and MRI also didn't show cancer spread to my lymph nodes. That is why I'm wondering the need to have the two surgeries done separately. I will ask on Monday. Glad to hear no more treatment needed in your case :)

How has the recovery been for you after the surgeries? trying to think about how long to take off work after the surgeries. 

Thank you xx

Hi, 

It’s a whirlwind when you are first  diagnosed and how do we know what to question as they are the experts. After being on here we all seem to have such different experiences and trusts must do things very differently. 

Im a person who is always on the go and what I have struggled with is having to rely on other people to do things for me. It will be 3 weeks on Wednesday since I had my operation and yesterday was the first time I showered myself, my drain only came out on Thursday. You get use to carrying that around it became like a third arm for me. You need to listen to your body as everyone recovers differently. I thought by now I would be able to do everything but that’s not the case. I had a sick note for 3 weeks and will be getting another one. Under my arm where they took the lymph nodes is more painful than my boob. I’m taking paracetamol still. I’m not rushing back to work I am going to take time to heal .

Ask away. Xx

Hi Sonrisa, I had a SNB first, as my surgeon wanted to work round a holiday we had booked, and it looked on the mammogram as if my nodes were clear (they were) and I had already asked for an implant. They do re-check in the mastectomy op as well. If I hadn’t been clear the surgeon would have put in a temporary implant and then after any necessary treatment would have replaced it with the permanent one later. 
hope that reassures you? 
Hugs xxx

Hi Sonrisa

It is NHS guidelines to check the sentinel nodes when a breast cancer diagnosis is given , even for DCIS which is non-invasive - things don’t always show up on scans. What does differ is each hospital does things differently and I guess this is down to facilities and workflows of that particular hospital. At mine , I had the SNB on my first op , at my hospital it is tested whilst you are still under anaesthetic and the rest of the nodes removed at the same time if there is cancer found in them. You do have to agree to this as some people find that too potentially drastic. My surgeon at the time told me this was the gold standard , but I was in a large City teaching hospital , so other places may not have the facilities or capacity to offer that. 

Good luck with your surgery 

Jo x

Thank you Jo xx

Yes that is reassuring. Thank you Moomy xx

Thank you for sharing your experience!