Information prior to lumpectomy

Hi Verna

I was told and shown what to expect by my surgeon. She explained what she was aiming for and also worst case scenario what the final outcome would look like. She spoke to me about how if the shape wasn’t as expected/hoped for afterwards there would be the option of ‘fat filling’. x

I don’t think in the current climate they are interested in appearance.I was promised reconstruction and got my hopes up , then was refused despite huge asymmetry,and fitted with an industrial strength bra and prosthesis

Hi  Verma  , in my case, I didn’t meet the surgeon till the day of the op. There was no discussion about how it might look afterwards. He just did an examination (my lump was easy to feel), made some marks on my breast with a pen, told me that he’d use one excision to remove the lump and to access the sentinel nodes, and that was that! I believe he was a good surgeon but he had zero bedside manner, as I found in later appointments. Thankfully he left and I saw a really lovely surgeon for most of my annual follow ups. I had a couple of issues over the years including a biopsy of a skin lesion, and he always explained everything. You’ve raised an important point and would be a good question for us all pre surgery. Love and hugs, HFxx 

I receiced very little information, my appointment to discuss my treatment plan was in the morning and i was told to bring an overnight bag as i was being admitted straight away with operarion in the afternoon. My nipple was totally removed, my tumour was under the breast and was 22mm long, they removed more as they have to take out a margin. Apparently every bit of my breast was shifted around to get the best shape. Five years on the scaring is minimal and not noticeable unless you’re looking for it. Front facing there’s little difference. Not many people have perfectly even breasts anyway. From the side I have a bit of a platform as in it’s more flat underneath than rounded. I only have quite small breasts anyway. I did ask a private oncologist about surgery but he refused.  He said that the original surgeon had done an excellent job and there would be potential issues with further surgery. I am overweight and now plan to lose 4 stone and actually think this might solve the issue anyway. Because I’m small I think it’s more noticeable as my breasts are very pert. They will do a great job I’m sure. We just worry more about our own bodies and to be fair at the time I was happy to have a full mastectomy if it gave me more guarantees. Wishing you the best x

Hi Verma 

I had the same expericence as happyfeet. I saw a female surgeon who advised me I had the cancer and just said "yes, we can do a wide local excision". I saw a surgeon the next time on the morning of my op who was male and said "you'll be left with a dent" and that was the first I knew about it!  I was size 40D and had 80mm in total removed - and didn't even know that, at that point. I only found out this information later.  I must admit I was disappointed to be left with a large dent and when I was signed off by my BCN, she did say that I could get some reconstruction done, but the last thing I wanted was more surgery.

8 years down the line, it's filled in a bit, but it is still a definite dent.  I wish I'd known before and asked them to reconstruct at the time - I was 51 and got told by my oncologist I was 'young' - so I would have thought they might have said something sooner.  

I do think it's hit and miss, depending on what surgeon you get, maybe?

I was lucky as I saw my surgeon from day one and she was amazing, really kind and took the time to explain things at every stage. I had 40dd boobs and what was thought to be about a 20mm lump. She asked how I felt about them, as if I found them a nuisance then she could do a reduction on the other side to keep them symmetrical. She explained that I would have a bit of a loss of volume, but it wouldn't be too noticeable due to my cup size. I told her that I am attached to the size of my boobs, and would rather pad out my smaller boob to match up with the other.  I saw her several times before the surgery, and on the day she discussed 2 possible ways to remove the tumor and where the scars would be in each scenario.  I said which i would prefer, and it was a nice neat 5/6 cm scar afterwards across from my nipple towards the outer side of my boob. 

However about 5 weeks later I had to have a re-excision to get clearer margins in one area.  All in all my lump was 28mm and with margins-about 40mm was removed.  The scar was a bit less flat and slightly puckered which upset me, but its getting much better with time.  I do massage it gently with aloe vera gel and its definitely Iooking better about 6 months later. 

There is a slight lack of volume, but its more at the side, and only noticeable if I lift my arms in the air.  And when I stand up, my operated on boob sits about 1cm higher than the other, so most people wouldn't notice ( but i do as I had very symmetrical boobs), but all in all I'm very happy with the results.  Far better than the alternative!!!!!!!

Bra's don't quite fit as they used to, but I have some of those uplift pad things which stick onto your bra, and a small knitted knocker, but most of the time I don't bother with them.

My surgeon has always said that if im not happy with how it looks once things have settled, I can have further surgery on the nhs-but personally I wouldn't put myself voluntarily through more surgery.  

My partner loves them how they are, he says that my scars are a reminder that I have been lucky getting the cancer caught early and sorted. They don't phase him at all, he is so reassuring when I have had bits of a wobble in the past. 

I really hope that you can learn to live comfortably with your scar x

I think you're right. I'm sorry you've had such a bad experience. My surgeon told me to come back in 6 months & he'd look at lipofilling. When I returned, he'd left (he was a locum who had been at the trust a very short time & is no longer registered to practice, which in itself set me wondering...). I saw someone else who took photos & I was subsequently declined with no explanation. My case was a bit complicated in that my kidney function had been damaged during surgery, so it was like 'well you wouldn't want to take the risk anyway'. However, though not usual, I know it can be done under a local, depending on how extensive the work is. 

Hi,

Unfortunately the only information I was given, in a telephone call,  was about the position of the scars. And that the lump was a tiny little thing (3cm.)

So, quite a shock when my operated breast came out noticeably smaller, higher, and nipple pulled over towards under my arm.

Actually, I did know it would be higher - only because the surgeon explained to a trainee on the day of the operation that this would happen.

So, not a good experience. 

Have since had a breast uplift on the good breast, some scar revision and two lipofilling operations 

Knowing potential results upfront would have helped me to be more prepared, and more accepting of new look.

Let's hope a discussion on realistic outcomes is the norm for patients.