Forum Discussion
Decisions on surgery
Hi sadly I have just joined all you wonderful people. I have been diagnosed and given my surgery date. Need some help as I really don’t know what I’m doing and my mind is going around in circles....
Hi, I am sorry you have been diagnosed, but you have come to the right place. You have a very personal decision to make and it is good that you are considering all of your options. I had DD breasts and decided on a DMX. My cancer was ILC which spreads in a web fashion which can mean that getting clear margins can be a challenge. I was 53 when I was diagnosed and after a lot of mammograms, ultra sounds, dense breasts and biopsies over the years, I knew that the DMX was right for me.
I was worried about how I would cope with the difference in the weight of having one breast etc. I commenced immediate reconstruction with the placement of expanders. I am very happy and comfortable with the decisions I made, but I also talked with a psychologist and used the ‘BRECONDA’ app which walks you through the decisions around the surgery. This is a great app which is a decision making tool and really helps to bring a bit of clarity. I think your decision also needs to consider the type of BC you have as well as the stage. My type is a sneaky little toad that can hide, so I knew what I wanted to do to get rid of the sucker.
Ask your medical team as many questions as you need, this is a big decision and one that you need to make based on being fully informed. I also think it is important to remember that many, many women do not want reconstruction AND you could opt for a lumpectomy now and decide later about the mastectomy. Of course it means 2 surgeries, but that may also be the right choice for you at this time. You could also ask about whether radiation is a possibility as very often a lumpectomy is followed up with radiation. A mastectomy sometimes means you can avoid radiation.
Take care, you have options. We are here to help you. M x
I was worried about how I would cope with the difference in the weight of having one breast etc. I commenced immediate reconstruction with the placement of expanders. I am very happy and comfortable with the decisions I made, but I also talked with a psychologist and used the ‘BRECONDA’ app which walks you through the decisions around the surgery. This is a great app which is a decision making tool and really helps to bring a bit of clarity. I think your decision also needs to consider the type of BC you have as well as the stage. My type is a sneaky little toad that can hide, so I knew what I wanted to do to get rid of the sucker.
Ask your medical team as many questions as you need, this is a big decision and one that you need to make based on being fully informed. I also think it is important to remember that many, many women do not want reconstruction AND you could opt for a lumpectomy now and decide later about the mastectomy. Of course it means 2 surgeries, but that may also be the right choice for you at this time. You could also ask about whether radiation is a possibility as very often a lumpectomy is followed up with radiation. A mastectomy sometimes means you can avoid radiation.
Take care, you have options. We are here to help you. M x