I’m 76 and have been offered breast conserving surgery, am thinking about a mastectomy as it’s likely I may need the second op for lymph nodes, don’t fancy two anesthesia has anyone else had this concern? Thank you
Hi, and welcome to the forum. I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You will find lots of support on this forum, I’m glad I joined a few months ago. Last august I had a therapeutic mammoplasty operation and a 5.8cm lobular tumour was removed but the results revealed I needed more lymph nodes removed. Unfortunately, during the second operation 3 more tiny tumours were found but thankfully no more affected lymph nodes. I was offered to go in again to get clear margins but by this time I decided it was best to have a mastectomy. When the breast came off it was clear. My point is, we just don’t know what to expect so I totally understand your concern. I have to say at age of 73 the anaesthetic was no problem at all. It’s so much kinder if the body than it was years ago. The worst part for me was healing, I’m have such sensitive skin. However, the aftercare is fantastic as is all the care during the operation. I may not be a lot of help but I hope I have made you feel a little easier about tge anaesthetic. Best of luck during your journey. M x
Hi Mibby thank you for your reply, it’s encouraging to hear about your experiences. I am still keen on the mastectomy as my surgeon has said the cancer has increased in size due to delays in results and additional MRI and now due a CT scan, so surgery scheduled for early March if nothing further discovered. As you say it’s a journey
I found the worst part of making a decision was being given the option in the first place. No one has hindsight, if only. My surgeon felt sure we’d have a good outcome on my first operation and felt the second would clinch it. The best advice I can give is go with your gut feeling, the gut feeling is normally your first reaction to it. Im sorry I ignored my gut feeling on my second operation but I do not regret my decision on the third operation even though it was clear. Good luck for early March. Take care. M x
Hi. I didn’t need a mastectomy but had that been suggested I think I would have been ok with it. I am 74 and found the whole procedure of op, anaesthetic etc fine. Just make sure you look after yourself and take things slowly. Hope it all goes ok.
