As @onemargie says, speak to your doctor and be clear about what the pros and cons of each are. I have been in a similar situation to you - ILC partial, then a complete shock to find it was twice the expected size and 3 nodes involved so immediately back in for mastectomy and axillary dissection. IIdidn't have a choice - the cancer was so large and I'm fairly small.
I I go down the path of recon, it will be at least 12 months after op and will be some sort of flap. I haven't yet decided and I'm also waiting on genetic results to make a decision about the other side. Be aware that radiation affects the skin and has some repercussions with reconstruction. Are you having chemo?
You make wish to join the recostreconstr group on this site. Lot's of women with different stories and some very honest accounts of what to expect. Keep us posted. Take care.
