Lumpectomy didn't work - now what?

https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/additional-resources.html

By 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. 

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? 

Hi @cheezelbug
it was pretty much as I expected
The actual surgery and recovery the first 36 hours were TOUGH.
I had a catheter 😱😱and a nurse had to monitor my new breasts every hour for the first 24 hours so almost no sleep .
I had constipation  and bad nausea from the anaesthetic .
But by day 4 I turned a corner.
I needed a lot of help at home from my hubby for the first 6 weeks but luckily he was retired.
I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks post surgery.
My position now is that I have two “ foobs” ( that’s a cross between fake and boobs) that are soft and  feel real ( although they only have sensation  around the perimeter)  , they match , I’m not worried about the other one killing me or having to have another operation. 

@MrsMorrisey - I was advised a mastectomy due to the margins involved (pathology recommends immediate re-excision) and that it compromises my nipple (which I’ll also lose). I’ve got a divot from the lumpectomy already so there’s not much left to take!

@Julez1958 - thank you for your honest and candid response x

I’d read about the catheter and hourly obs and had got my head sort-of around it but it’s the rest that I’m struggling with, particularly the pain and recovery (I’m not good with needles and husband has to remove his own splinters as blood grosses me out 🤮)

@cheezelbug oh I see. So it’s about the position. 

@MrsMorrisey - I had a benign lumpectomy a couple of years ago so that breast has taken a bit of a beating… funny, I’d not really thought about it in that way until your note talking about going back in via the same incision!

Sending good vibes for your op - hoping you can send them back my way when you’re finished with them 🙂