Why am I having breast conserving surgery?

Hello, I think it would be really helpful to talk your options through again with your surgeon rather than just go ahead with the breast conserving surgery as you sound very unsure 

I had breast conserving surgery but had a breast reduction on the other side to balance things out.  

I would also talk through what can happen if the surgeon isn't able to get a clear margin when removing the tumour. This happened to me & i ended up having a mastectomy 8 weeks later. I'm not saying this will happen to you but important you understand what can happen.

I hope you manage to have some further discussion, contact your breast care nurse in the first instance they should be able to help 

Best wishes x

By “breast conserving surgery” I assume they will remove the lump plus margin? They wouldn’t be recommending this if it will leave a poor cosmetic outcome. It is much easier surgery to recover from than a mastectomy and I doubt you will have much problem with your existing sports bras. I was back running within 2 weeks of mine 

wow, thats great! Could you run before? I haven't been able to run for around two months because of chafing between the tumour and my arm. It would be fantastic to start again within a couple of weeks. Very encouraging to hear I could possibly still be using my current sports bras too. Thank you

Hello Spider Rose  As has already been suggested, I think the best thing to do is have a good chat with your nurse or consultant to get more information about what your surgery will involve. I had a lumpectomy (breast conserving surgery) and my tumour was a bit larger than yours but the outcome is pretty good. The surgery scar is to the side nearest my arm and doesn't show much, the nipple is still where it was and the breast only appears marginally smaller than the other one. I don't need any surgery or padded bras to 'even things out'. I wasn't offered a mastectomy, and am pleased with the lumpectomy result, so here's hoping that your surgery and the rest of your treatment goes well for you too.    

Thank you very much. These replies are very helpful

Yes I ran right up to the surgery. I also ran for about the first half of my chemo but am struggling now. 

I had a lumpectomy recently.  The surgeon was recommending reconstruction that would mean reduction on the other side at a later date.   I think it was mainly because of the location of the tumour.  I ended up having minor reconstruction instead, so no reduction required at a later date.  The result is better than I expected and although smaller, not very noticeable.
Speak to your BC Nurse who should be able to answer any questions x

I had a mastectomy (no choice) but they made a point of offering to try to put an expander in to stretch the skin and give a little shape if I couldn’t cope with the idea of being flat. I just wanted my tumour gone and wasn’t keen this solution and the admitted they thought I’d made the right decision to wait and see if I wanted to reconstruct later with grafted skin and tissue once I’d healed from radio.  They told me that many women struggle to adjust to being flat and do the idea of “best outcome” isn’t always just physical but also psychological.  As others have said I think you should have another chat with your team and find out what’s behind their thinking and let them address your questions.  Hope it goes well.