My surgery has left me with two very different sized breasts. The surgeon has suggested I have the bigger, non-affected breast (GG) reduced to match my now cancer free breast (E-F). Has anyone else done this recently?

Hi IND88, After lumpectomy and radiation my bc breast shrank to a C cup, my other breast was still E cup. I have since had my good breast reduced through the public system in Melbourne. Happy to answer any questions, so ask away. Viv

Thanks Viv. I will be going through a plastics guy in Brisbane. How long were you out of action? Did it make a difference to your upper back/neck? I am looking for relief from pain in these areas more than anything I supose. Cheers Beth

Hi viv I have just finished radiation after a lumpectomy and am wanting a reduction on my unaffected breast I had 1.3kg of breast tissue removed so I am very lop sided at the moment Was your reduction surgery through the public system deemed elective and if not how long were you on the wait list Thanks for your help Blizz

There seems to be some confusion as to whether having your good breast reduced to match what we are left with after Breast Conserving Surgery. When you look at all the BCNA books they show lovely pictures of a breast with a small scar and no obvious sign of size difference. I have mentioned this previously on this site, this is what the BCNA say about reconstruction. Access to breast reconstruction Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy for breast cancer is considered a medical procedure, not cosmetic surgery. It is available in the public hospital system as well as through the private health system. It should say following mastectomy or Lumpectomy or Breast Conserving Surgery. In some cases we have a Lumpectomy but it should be called Partial Mastectomy, just which choice of words are used. The first PS in Melbourne that I saw didn’t offer to do my reduction through the public system; his receptionist said they do not do reductions any more through the public system. I walked out of the rooms with a quote of $8,000 plus which didn’t include everything. My hubby so desperately wanted to assure me that we could do it, I felt guilty enough for the cost that cancer had already inflicted on my family that this was never going to be an option. So me being me, I got into proactive gear and started making phone calls and sending emails. I rang the hospital where this surgeon works and spoke to the Plastics Liaison Nurse, I explained my situation and she got angry that I was told the wrong information. I then spoke to her several times because of mix ups with my paper work coming from private rooms to public hospital. Anyway in the end I saw the PS in Dec, paper work put me on the public waiting list 14th Jan, and because I spoke to PS Liaison nurse several times I told her I could be there at short notice. Got a phone call with a weeks’ notice and had reduction on 20th June this year. I also saw a PS in Sydney who was lovely and happy to put me on his public waiting list, he admitted that it depends on Surgeon and what they put on the paperwork... But we as cancer patients are in a different situation and eligible to have this done through the Public System. I did not have the support of a Breast Care Nurse. This is only part of my story, I could ramble on but it is what it is. I am happy to share any info through private message if you need any assistance. And am extremely happy with my reduced boob it looks fantastic. Viv

Resizing the other breast after lumpectomy

13 Replies

Blizz
Member
11 years ago
Hi viv I have just finished radiation after a lumpectomy and am wanting a reduction on my unaffected breast I had 1.3kg of breast tissue removed so I am very lop sided at the moment Was your reduction surgery through the public system deemed elective and if not how long were you on the wait list Thanks for your help Blizz
IND88
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Viv. I will be going through a plastics guy in Brisbane. How long were you out of action? Did it make a difference to your upper back/neck? I am looking for relief from pain in these areas more than anything I supose.

Cheers

Beth
VivW
Member
11 years ago
Hi IND88,

After lumpectomy and radiation my bc breast shrank to a C cup, my other breast was still E cup. I have since had my good breast reduced through the public system in Melbourne. Happy to answer any questions, so ask away.

Viv

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Resizing the other breast after lumpectomy

13 Replies

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