How to choose which operation to have?

Hi 

Welcome to the community 

it's so difficult to make these decisions because we don't really know how we feel about anything after diagnosis .My story is on my profile if you want to read .

We are all different in how we react and feel about this type of surgery so all we can do is let you know how we felt with our decisions .

My immediate response was removed breast surgeon was reluctant to take first answer but for me ,at age 70 there was no question in my head that I wanted risk of something left behind . 

So single mastectomy with 10 mm clearance . I stated did not want reconstruction as felt one op was enough .

Surgeon once happy I was ok about mastectomy offered reconstruction at later date and or reduction in other boob ( large cup size ) 

I was given a softie to fit in bra to leave hospital with and graduated to prosthetic about 6 weeks later .My decision remained that I did not want or mentally need further surgery !

For me personally it was a 100% the right  decision .

Clarissa and I get on just fine . She stays in position and nobody can tell the difference even when asked lol . Most people assume I've had reconstruction when I mention mastectomy .

One thing I would say is you appear to have already made the decision for mastectomy . The rest of the equation depends on how you feel about replacing your boob

What you could do is defer decision on reconstruction until after op .

just remember it is your decision and you need to be comfortable with your choice .

I'm sure others will come on with their experiences to try and help you .

Feel free to ask as many questions as you want someone sill have the answers . Have a browse around threads lots of support and info 

Thanks, Margaret, I need all the help I can get. Bless you. xxx

Hi. I too have lobular and hr2 positive. Which was 5.1cm.i decided straight from the beginning that I would have a mastectomy. But everyone is different and I didn't want anything to be left behind. Having finished my chemo today after 6 sessions I'm now raring to go for my surgery on 3rd June. At the same time I'm having the expandable implant, which is where you go and be topped up with saline every two weeks to the implant until you get the final shape of the breast. I'm also having my nipple kept. Then it will be radiotherapy , then a permanent reconstruction from my tummy after about a year. After the diagnosis of cancer I didn't feel I had any connection to my boob at all. All through the journey choices are taken away from us. I felt I was in control with the choice. Best of luck. 

Thanks for the reply. My tumours were thought to be smaller initially 0.5mm but it morphed into a 24mm one by the time the labs had finished assessing it. I had not been expecting that but lobular cancer is difficult to see. So, it seemed reasonable to go for the lumpectomy to start with.

Strangely enough, I said at the beginning that I would go for the immediate rebuild but after reading leaflets, I have got cold feet. And I don't seem able to see the cosmetic type of surgeon without giving up my place in the other queue. It seems I have to make up my mind without meeting him  if I am not to get a bit left behind! The pandemic seems to be putting more pressure on the service, even just this week it seems more people are feeling brave enough to come in (from what I gather at the hospital). And I am concerned that it may spread about while i am dithering about trying to make my mind up. 

Our different personalities must have a huge influence on how we deal with all this. I have terrible trouble making decisions and always think the grass is greener on the other side. So I choose one way, then I look back over the fence and think it better over there, change my mind and then it starts all over again!!  I am hoping for some sort of Eureka moment  and imagine I will know where I am going, like you do. Don't know if it will pan out that way but I thank you for your sharing and wish you all the best for your operation. 

I agree everyone is different in the choice they make. Some people are dev

Best of luck in any choice you make. I don't think either way is bad.