BC-Lumpectomy-Breast Reduction-Radiation

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Ley
Ley Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi all, what a great place this is. I have not seen much talk on this. When I was diagnosed my surgeon was amazed at my breast size and suggested me talking to a plastic surgeon. She thought in the long run it would be better all around. I had the breast reduction about 10 days after lumpectomy and had to wait a good 5 weeks before starting radiation. I am healing well from reduction but it is hard at times having no one to talk with about it. People think I did it for vanity or something. I feel at times the radiation is bothering me but then not sure if it is really from BR.

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  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #2
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    Hi Ley! I had a lumpectomy
    Hi Ley! I had a lumpectomy with rads. I didn't need a breast reduction as my tumor was small, so, it's not really noticeable where my breast surgeon took the tumor out.

    If you don't mind my asking, why did they suggest a breast reduction? Was it a lot larger than your non cancerous breast so he was trying to match them? I guess I am a bit confused. lol

    Very glad you're healing well from the surgery's! If someone thinks you did it for vanity, they have a hole in their head, no offense. We go through so much with bc, just having those words said to us, that anything we have done, as far as I am concerned, is AOK!

    How far are you in rads?

    You take care and keep posting and nice to meet you!

    Hugs, Diane
  • Ley
    Ley Member Posts: 4
    #3
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    DianeBC said:

    Hi Ley! I had a lumpectomy
    Hi Ley! I had a lumpectomy with rads. I didn't need a breast reduction as my tumor was small, so, it's not really noticeable where my breast surgeon took the tumor out.

    If you don't mind my asking, why did they suggest a breast reduction? Was it a lot larger than your non cancerous breast so he was trying to match them? I guess I am a bit confused. lol

    Very glad you're healing well from the surgery's! If someone thinks you did it for vanity, they have a hole in their head, no offense. We go through so much with bc, just having those words said to us, that anything we have done, as far as I am concerned, is AOK!

    How far are you in rads?

    You take care and keep posting and nice to meet you!

    Hugs, Diane

    Hi Diane
    I had very large breasts, a H or I cup. The surgeon could see how hard it was on my shoulders, back etc. This being a good time to get it if i wanted for insurance purposes. She also said it would be much better for radiation with the reduction. Nothing really to do with the lumpectomy to have it done, my tumor was pretty small too. My back feels better but now my shoulders/neck hurt because the incision under arms is sticking out and that makes me keep my arms weird.

    I am 3 weeks down with radiation with 2 weeks and 4 days to go.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #4
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    Ley said:

    Hi Diane
    I had very large breasts, a H or I cup. The surgeon could see how hard it was on my shoulders, back etc. This being a good time to get it if i wanted for insurance purposes. She also said it would be much better for radiation with the reduction. Nothing really to do with the lumpectomy to have it done, my tumor was pretty small too. My back feels better but now my shoulders/neck hurt because the incision under arms is sticking out and that makes me keep my arms weird.

    I am 3 weeks down with radiation with 2 weeks and 4 days to go.

    That is great that your
    That is great that your surgeon helped you out like that, pain wise and for insurance purposes. Very smart! Glad you feel better!

    3 weeks down! That is great! Soon you will be a rad grad and we can all celebrate with you!


    Hugs, Diane
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #5
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    DianeBC said:

    That is great that your
    That is great that your surgeon helped you out like that, pain wise and for insurance purposes. Very smart! Glad you feel better!

    3 weeks down! That is great! Soon you will be a rad grad and we can all celebrate with you!


    Hugs, Diane

    I had a mini breast reduction, too
    My breast that had cancer was larger than the non-cancer breast. Always was. Even when I weighed 103 lbs (waaaaaaay back in the day). I made a comment when I saw the breast surgeon and he suggested oncoplasty at the time of my surgery. He did the surgery - took out a chunk of tissue, moved remainder around a bit and I am really quite happy with the result. As a bonus, this planned reduction also prevented a second surgery because the margins were not clear around the tumor, so I assume if I had had a "simple lumpectomy" rather than a "partial mastectomy" I would have had to go back for that second surgery to get clear margins.

    I often wonder if the continuing pain I have in that breast (now 19 months post radiation and much much better) is because of the radiation or the reduction, but as long as it's not because of cancer, I can live with it.

    You did not do this surgery for vanity. If you would have had "only" the lumpectomy, you would have been lopsided and with breasts as large as yours were, you would have been very uncomfortable. People don't realize what effect breast surgery has - regardless of what type. I didn't do the reduction for vanity, either, but I hear many stories from women whose lumpectomies have resulted deformities and am so happy I had a thoughtful surgeon. BTW, I'm 65, and it is still important to me.

    Suzanne

    Suzanne
  • deeb111
    deeb111 Member Posts: 141 Member
    #6
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    br
    Had the same all in one day and still have pain so dont get discouraged cause my was april 6 2011 i think i might go back to see if this is norm but sometimes wish i made different choices but who ever knows and im so happy just to be here to tell my story so hang in there stay strong positive wish the best for you



    deeb

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