Lumpectomy Surgery options

Hello,  well those are good questions.  Sorry you have BC as so many decisions.  Did surgeon talk to you about oncoplastic techniques where they can move the breast tissue around so you have a better cosmetic appearance.  Also can do lipofilling after surgery if you are not pleased.  I am small breasted and had bilateral lumpectomies and look pretty even.  I was 71 and in excellent health too except for the breast cancer.  I feel really good now as it is 3 years since all this happened and made my life crazy for awhile.  I wish you the best and just ask many questions about oncoplastic surgery as it can be amazing.  Hugs to you and I am sure there are many who will respond with their stories.

It is such a personal choice. I had a lumpectomy and they did say they could resize my other breast to match if they had to remove a larger area. The cancer was on my left breast which has always been slightly larger than the right so I opted not to have anything else done. Mine was to the side so not so visible. I could not see any noticeable difference apart from the scar which after two years has faded and hardly noticeable. Maybe just go with first option and see how you feel. You will have enough to cope with without worrying about another op but we are all different. I didn’t  find the lumpectomy too bad at all so hope it is the same for you. Remember, whatever decision you make, it  is the right decision for you and don’t be too worried  by what others say. Good luck. 

Glad to see you back posting Evajean.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you

My experience - I had a 3cm tumour removed from the left breast (small breasted), and they moved tissue around to try to get the best outcome. Unfortunately, they then had to do a second operation to get a clear margin of cancer-free tissue around the tumour, causing even more tissue loss. 

I ended up with my left nipple quite high up (an uplift seemed to be part of the surgery) and pulled to the left, and also pulled in. It did look to be in an unnatural position, and quite different to the right side which was lower and most definitely pointing downwards. 

Two years on, I've had two lipofilling procedures, which have been good at filling out some dents in the left side, but not great at adding volume, but I've another to come if I want it.

I am two weeks post op from a breast lift on the right side - and this has been great so far. Healed well, and nipples are mostly level, although still a bit of settling to come. And the right breast will continue to droop slightly over time whereas the left won't because it has had radiotherapy.

Painwise with the breast lift - very little, and it is a more straightforward operation than the one to remove the cancer, and has been easier to recover from than the cancer one.

The biggest downside to me is the time taken out of your normal life - six weeks or so of taking it easy, but in the scale of things this is very small. There is also the normal complications and risks of any surgery to consider.

What it does mean though is that I am able to wear t-shirts and get dressed without worrying what is going to show through my clothes - because my nipples were so unlevel before, it was very obvious - one was nearer my shoulder pointing up, one was nearer my ribs pointing down, lol.

My experience is that it is important to manage your own expectations and to be realistic, but reconstruction is a very valid part of recovery from breast cancer. Although I have discovered that padded bras are very forgiving, not sure why I've not discovered those before.

I did take 12 months from my cancer op before having any procedures and I felt this was useful, because your operated-on breast does settle a bit over this time, and you have a little more time to get used to the new you.

All the best.

I have the same size tumour on my left breast. 
I feel I will go for the straight forward operation and have nothing else done.

once the breast is settled I will decide whether or not have anything else done.

like you say I already use very thin padded bras. And unless I really can’t cope with the look of my breasts, I don’t want to add more surgery, pains and aches.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Hi Barbara

I have had a bumpy twelve months but am doing ok. Have updated my profile page.

Glad you are continuing to do well. I have my annual mammogram on  October 11.

Evajean

Oh Evajean,  I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s passing.  That has to be so very difficult.  My husband and I have been married 52 years also so I can only imagine the loss. You did your best and cared for your wonderful husband til the end and that was your final gift to him.  To love someone and be there til the end is special despite being so difficult.  
I am glad you have taken up painting and found a good friend.  Life is so many ups and downs.  A week ago Hurricane Helene came to Florida and our home got flooded so we are trying to work it out.  Hubby is 77 and I am 75 so it is not easy.  We felt so sad as many memories in that house but we need to move forward and not look back.  So many people are worse off.  We had 32” of water outside and about 5” of flood water inside.  Oh well at least we are ok.  Many died.  Very sad.

Please take care and hugs to you.  So glad I saw your posts again as you always have so much to share.  I missed you.