After being diagnosed on my 50th birthday, I'm now staring down the mastectomy path given we didn't get clear margins on the lumpectomy. No chemo or radiation required. Of course I've got the standard myriad of questions, and given the fonts of knowledge here I'm hoping for some words of wisdom on how people came to their decisions on the following (noting there's no right and wrong, but hoping there's some others out there that can share how they figured out what was best for them):Unilateral v Bilateral? I've only got in my right breast, but the thought of going through this twice is beyond me. For those in a similar position that opted for a bilateral, do you wish things were different? Do you miss having your own tissue?Implant v DIEP? I'm terrified of the pain and recovery aspects of the DIEP but on the flip side I'm also scared of having to revisit implants in 10-15rs time.Small-breasted women - you're my peeps! I'm only an A/B cup, so hoping some of you with similar build are able to jump on and let me know your thought processes, too - did you stay small, take advantage of going up a size etc.Thank you for reading, and look forward to your insights xox

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/additional-resources.htmlBy the sound of your post you've already done some research. The link above is very informative. Not achieving clear margins does occur for some.You mention you are small breasted. Do you have enough tissue for Diep Flap?Are you a public or private patient?https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/breast-reconstruction/The decision is yours and your medical team.........Best wishes

Thanks, @iserbrown - I’ve done some research over the past week including RYC website and the amount of information (and the size of my pros and cons list!) is overwhelming.The PS I consulted with advised I’ve got enough for a B-cup, much to the surprise or my husband and I! I’m having a CT scan to confirm whether the tissue/veins etc. are suitable. Confirming I’ll be in the private system.

Hi @cheezelbug If you are thinking of reconstruction ask to join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction private group on here - it has a lot of very helpful photos and stories of ladies who have gone down that path.I was recommended a mastectomy straight up due to the size of my tumour ( 5.5cm) .I saw a plastic surgeon early on and he talked me through the options .I didn’t want implants ( didn’t like the idea of a foreign body inside me and also he said I might have the have the implant replaced in 10 years) and liked the idea of using your own fat in the DIEP procedure even though it was a bigger operation and higher recovery , also more expensive ( I had my surgery in the private system).I decided on a double mastectomy and reconstruction as you can only go the DIEP once and I didn’t want the anxiety of worrying about it coming back in the other breast ( especially as mine failed to show up on a mammogram only 12 months prior).I was an E cup ( originally a D but had put on weight)I went down to a C cup and love being able to buy many more clothes off the rack ( especially swimsuits) than before .

Hey, @Julez1958 - thank you - I have joined the reconstruction group and had a look at both implant and DIEP examples that those courageous women have shared; I’m after more info on what lead them to make their decisions to see if there’s an angle I haven’t thought about that would give me a lightbulb moment to make my own decision…I'm of the same opinion re: DIEP (one shot so get them both done, combined with anxiety over what if’s) but still wavering on the pain and recovery involved, not to mention all the scars. If you don’t mind me asking, was it what you expected, and aside from the greater shopping options (bonus!) are you happy with the results?

What is the thought process behind the mastectomy?Can the surgeon not do another lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy didn't work - now what?

22 Replies

PrisMay1
Member
2 years ago
@cheezelbug or maybe a different instructor!! I find community classes quite friendly and non-judgmental! You just want to get a hang of the breathing techniques
cheezelbug
Member
2 years ago
@Abbydog - thank you for sharing your experience and how you’re feeling about it now. I’ve been told that I won’t need radiation (assuming that’s R/T?) or chemo so for now all options are still on the table for me. I had the CT scan yesterday so will find out at next PS visit if it’s still the case. The symmetry is on my list of considerations, together with the nipple on my ‘good’ breast if I go the double.

@PrisMay1 - congratulations - I’m in awe of your bravery. Last time I tried meditation the instructor stomped past me at the end of the class as my trance was possibly a bit too deep (hopefully I didn’t snore!) - good tip to consider a refresher, though.

Thank you everyone for your kindness in sharing to help me grapple with this decision xox
PrisMay1
Member
2 years ago
@cheezelbug I’m nearly 4 weeks post a DIEP and it’s a big operation! I practised yoga prior and the relaxation helped me with my anxiety about the whole thing! I also had a few weeks to prepare which helped. As I went private I had a definite date 4 weeks out and that helped to know when it was going to be. It’s a lot to go through and we are stronger than we think! At some point you just give yourself over to the medical team and you get through it! They do take good care of you and ensure you are comfortable as you can be - follow their advice and take the drugs offered!!
Abbydog
Member
2 years ago
Dear cheezelbug,
Do you know, if you still do not need R/T? I only ask, because if that is now on the table, it can change reconstruction options. I'm unable to answer as a small breasted person. But I did find out amongst the PS photos, if one breast is reconstructed or done differently. There can be asymmetry occurring with weight gain or loss. I say this only so that you can ask appropriate questions. I had wanted DIEP and I would have had a double, because this op can only be done once. Unfortunately for me, on CT scan my abdominal blood vessels were not suitable. So that choice was taken from me. I started with having had a single Mastectomy. Having said all of this I am very happy with my Reconstruction, which included a Prophylactic Mastectomy to my other side. I have same size implants in each breast. My breasts feel good, but not like my old ones. I do miss my nipples for intimacy reasons. But I'm alive, and I have reduced my risk of recurrence. My life is moving forward. I hope all of our opinions help. At least you will have thought it through. All the best.
cheezelbug
Member
2 years ago
Thanks, @iserbrown - trawled Cancer Australia quite extensively when initially diagnosed - it’s a great resource to get an idea of what to expect when you’re not sure what’s going on in the early days (I was told by my GP that I had breast cancer but it was a week until I saw a specialist so was trying to get information from a reliable source rather than Dr Google)
iserbrown
Member
2 years ago
@cheezelbug
There's a lot for you to consider.

https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types-breast-reconstruction/diep-flap-breast-reconstruction

Another link for you to read up on abt DIEP Flap surgery

Take care
cheezelbug
Member
2 years ago
@Julez1958 - no kids - told you I'm a wuss!
Julez1958
Member
2 years ago
Hi @cheezelbug
Did you have children?
I didn’t but a lady who had the double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction told me it was a bit like childbirth - hellish at the time but as time goes on you forget about it ….
cheezelbug
Member
2 years ago
@Julez1958 - thank you again - more to think about re: pain management. I winced having the canula put in for today's scan so I'm now thinking DIEP may be a step too far for me...

@GorgyS - thanks for your insights and soothing words - I wish I had the same strength as you do x

@Daina_BCNA - I've had a look around BRECONDA as well - tried to tick all the boxes before coming onto the forum so it wasn't groundhog day for everyone else :smile: Think I'm one of those people looking for the elusive 'perfect' solution, but in reality just grappling with how much I think I can (realistically) take.
Daina_BCNA
Community Manager
2 years ago
Hi @cheezelbug,

Great to see so many people replying to your post and that you have already connected in to some great resources.

In addition, I wonder if you've had a chance to sign up BRECONDA? This is an online breast reconstruction decision aid you can access from our website and aims to help you decide, along with your surgeon whether breast reconstruction is right for you and if so what type.

All the best.
Daina