Hi @mij I think in the end, it is up to you (based on medical advice) to decide what you can live with. I started with a lumpectomy but then, based on the path results, had to have a mastectomy followed by chemo and radiation. My surgeon said at the time that the only recon he would consider for me was a DIEP but not until after rads as it affects the skin. At my last appointment, 8 months after rads, my skin was still too tight. (However, I don't know if I will ever want to go down the recon path.) So, a question to ask your doctor - how will rads affect the recon if it's done straight away? Another thing to remember is that this particular surgery can only be done once so you may want to discuss the stats around a possible recurrence in the other breast or how anxious you may be down the track about that possibility. What happens if you decide to go with mastectomy but wait for recon? Or lumpectomy but wait for size correction (you can get partial prostheses)? Or would you prefer to be a smaller cup size anyway? Can you get a second opinion?
I'm not sure I've given you any useful answer - maybe one of the other ladies here with experience of recon can help more.
