Implant Reconstruction After Radiation
Hi, this is my first post. I had a lumpectomy with radiation 10 years ago at 44, and I've recently undergone my 2nd lumpectomy on the same side due to the return of this hormone ER and PR+ BC. Due to having my lifetime exposure of RADS on my left breast 10 years ago, my option is mastectomy. I'm battling with my options (of which I'm blessed to have) and tossing between a double mastectomy with reconstruction using first tissue expanders and later implants, or going flat on my left side. My right breast is healthy. I only have enough fat for one very small breast, about half the size of my healthy breast. My main concern is having implants after radiation. The aspect of capsular contracture, skin or nipple death has thrown me for a sixer, and I would love to hear from you beautiful survivors about your stories of reconstruction after radiation. I have a wonderful breast surgeon who I have been blessed to have 2nd time around. She highly recommended the PC who has been transparent in the risks. Stories?
First surgery coming up
Hi, I have a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes coming up. I have been given lots of information about the surgery itself, but they haven’t said anything to me yet about managing afterwards ie what bra to wear (or not), what I will and won’t be able to do etc. Does this get discussed before I leave the hospital? Is there anything I should be doing beforehand to prepare? TIA.Infection near incision site - anyone else?
Hi, I had a lumpectomy almost a month ago and today I noticed a wound site on my breast about 2 or 3 cm from the incision near my nipple. it appears to maybe be an infection and had to happen on a long weekend - unable to get hold of the surgical team. Went to ED and I have antibiotics, they took a swab and have set me up to get an ultrasound. I’m scheduled to have a second surgery to remove a further lump/cancerous area and finalise breast conserving surgery this week - Thursday. Has anyone else been in a similar situation at all? I guess as I have a wait to speak to my surgeon on Tuesday, I’m trying to get an idea of whether the surgery may be delayed. Each case is different I know…I guess I’ve been waiting and hoped that it would all still go aheadAnyone moved breast care teams?
I'm currently being treated at a public hospital in Melbourne and will receive my lumpectomy results tomorrow. If the margins are clear, I plan to request a DCISionRT test, as I'm hoping to avoid radiation therapy. For anyone who has transitioned from the public system to private care, did you have any difficulty obtaining your histopathology results and scans? My hospital has been very clear that they won't release any results before tomorrow's appointment, despite having an online portal. I'd like to have copies of all my scans and reports ready after the appointment so I can potentially arrange a consultation with a private breast care team.Another Re-Excision or Mastectomy?
Well, here I go again. I was diagnosed with DCIS in December. It has been a long path, but I eventually had a double lumpectomy on my right breast on 26 March 2026. A week later I was told that although they got clear margins, three of the margins on my largest lesion (4 cm) were less than 1mm. So, I had a re-excision on 15 April to get wider margins. I saw the surgeon this morning, who told me they found more disease and the new margins are still less than 1mm in two places. I have to have more surgery next Wednesday but have to decide (by Friday) whether to have another re-excision (and my breast will be starting to look a bit sad after that) or go straight to a mastectomy. She said it was quite feasible to try a re-excision again, to preserve the breast if I want to, but if they still find disease or don't get good clearances, then I have no choice but to have a mastectomy. If I have the re-excision, I have to have radiation treatment for 3 weeks, 5 days a week afterwards. If I have a mastectomy, then it's all done. No radiation and no lymph node involvement. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do / or want to share your story if you've had a similar experience? I know it's my decision, but your advice is appreciated, thank you.
Lipofilling - tips for preparation and recovery please.
Hi everyone. Back in 2024, I was diagnosed with DCIS and subsequently had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I'm now booked for my first round of lipofilling/fat-grafting at the end of July. The thighs are most likely going to be the donor site. I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced this type of surgery and what helped them to recover comfortably. Any tips on what to have in place for recovery? Are there similarities in the recovery process for this, as they are for a lumpectomy? I bruise really easily and dramatically, so it should be interesting to see how my thighs react. I'm also still experiencing daily pain from the lumpectomy and radiation (although I'm under the care of a Pain Clinic). Thank you. Cozycat.D4 post lumpectomy itching
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with ILC R) breast hormone +ve, HER2-ve at the start of April. I'm D4 post op lumpectomy and sentinel node bx. I have a follow up appointment next Monday. Pain has been manageable, but today I've noticed my breast is so itchy and I had some shooting pain. I can't see a rash but honestly it's hard to tell with the bruising. Did anyone else get this? Did anything help? Im curious if it's the nerves trying to heal. I'll need radiotherapy, so also keen for any tips to prepare for that. Thanks xox
lumpectomy
Hi all, I'm a 17 year old with a large breast tumour, I've had ultrasounds and a biopsy however they still don't know what exactly it is. I've got my lumpectomy surgery booked in for next week but all this waiting (and while trying to do year 12 and whatnot) has really made my thoughts spiral. All this uncertainty and the big scary surgery info booklet has been quite overwhelming and it feels like such a unique experience and somewhat isolating, especially with my young age. I think I just need some reassurance or similar experiences to keep me going till next week. thank you!!
Can't stop thinking about bad outcomes
Newly diagnosed ++- and scheduled for lumpectomy in 2 weeks followed by radiation if all goes to plan. I'm having intrusive obsessive thoughts about death, particularly dying during the surgery and what my funeral will be like. It's non stop and exhausting and I'm neglecting everything else. I've put together an 'instruction manual' for my husband so he knows how to look after our autistic son properly. Are these thoughts premonitions or just underlying fear? I want it all to stop!
