Another surgery 😞
Hi all, I’m facing my 3rd surgery in less than 6 months. Margins were out by less than 2mm either side. To say I’m pissed is an understatement! But can’t risk leaving it. I was wondering if anyone has had local anaesthetic and/or sedation instead of general? I don’t recover well from GA. Much love to you all on your journeys x AnnaAnyone 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.
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.
Diagnosed with Grade 1 DCIS and with pre-existing Cardio disease wish to do mastectomy
Looking for info and experience of people with both pre-existing Cardio disease and now diagnosed with Grade 1 DCIS, has gone ahead to successfully did a Mastectomy surgery? I am a public hospital patient, cardio team assessment of my high risk to adverse event due to general anesthetic and hence the breast cancer team decided to cancel my scheduled mastectomy surgery appointment. I feel like I have a death sentence. Looking for supportive experience and reference of surgeon and hospital and willing to travel to where the breast cancer team has strong anesthetic and cardio support, as I just found out my Medibank fund cover cancer treatment.
Breast reduction and the risk of recurrence
Hi everyone, I wasn't sure which category and forum to post in; hopefully this one makes sense. I had a lumpectomy in December 2017 (left breast) which was followed by chemo (hello menopause!) and radiation therapy. I've also been on aromatase inhibitor tablets since 2018. My right breast was always a little bigger than my left but the radiation stopped the latter from behaving normally in the menopausal years and my right breast is now significantly bigger and spreads wider. I've been thinking about breast reduction surgery for the right one and am wondering, if anything needed to be done to the left breast, if surgery might increase the risk of recurrence. I've tried Googling this but the results are all about surgery to treat the breast cancer, not post-treatment surgery. I'm thinking of making an appointment with my surgeon to see what he has to say, but thought I'd post here first in case anyone had some information.Cryoablation & Breast Cancer. FREEZING the tumour via MRI! The treatment of the future?
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=2233946977028488 Cryoablation for breast cancer is a minimally invasive procedure where extreme cold is used to destroy cancerous cells. A thin, needle-like probe, guided by imaging like ultrasound, is inserted into the tumor to create a freezing ice ball. This treatment is used for patients who are not good surgical candidates due to age or other health issues, or those who prefer not to have surgery, and is most effective for small, early-stage tumors. How Cryoablation Works Imaging and Probe Insertion: A doctor uses imaging, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, to locate the tumor. Freezing the Tumor: A cryoprobe is inserted into the tumor. Ice Ball Formation: A gas, often liquid nitrogen or argon, is pumped through the probe, creating a ball of ice that freezes and destroys the cancerous cells. Thawing: The tissue is allowed to thaw naturally, and the dead cancer cells are then cleared by the body's white blood cells. Who Is a Candidate? ... (Hmmm Why not ALL patients?) Poor Surgical Candidates: Patients with significant comorbidities (like heart/lung issues) or advanced age who are not eligible for surgery are good candidates. Patients Opting Against Surgery: It is a viable option for those who simply choose to avoid traditional surgery. Small, Early-Stage Tumors: The procedure is most effective for small, unifocal tumors that are visible via ultrasound. Potential Benefits Minimally Invasive: It avoids large surgical incisions and often can be performed on an outpatient basis. Preserves Breast Appearance: Cryoablation can preserve the breast's shape and result in better cosmetic outcomes with only a tiny scar. Faster Recovery: Patients typically experience a quicker recovery time compared to traditional surgery. Potential Immune Response: The process of freezing and thawing can increase the presence of tumor-specific proteins, potentially helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Things to Consider Scar Tissue: A small amount of scar tissue will remain at the tumor site, which may form a painless lump that shrinks over time. Not Always a First Choice: While effective, it's important to remember that it's not a universal breast cancer treatment and is best suited for specific patients and tumor types
DIEP fails in surgery
Hi everyone, just wondering if any one went in for a Double DIEP surgery and because there were complications had to have a double TRAM instead? My surgeon is saying if I start with a DIEP I have to be accepting of the possibilty of TRAM flaps. Plus, he tells me, only 20% of DIEPS are successful??? Help, so confused JodieLooking for suggestions after double Mastectomy
Hi everyone. How good is this website? I have learnt so much. I have been recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer 😒 and will be having a double mastectomy in the coming weeks. I am looking for suggestions/ideas for post surgery. For example clothes to wear, pillows, chairs, sleeping positions and the like. Looking forward to your ideas. Thank You
Mastectomy /post surgery pillow
Hi all, I have a brand new mastectomy pillow that I found really helpful that is basically as new. I would be really happy to post it to anyone that is about to have surgery at no cost. I just can’t bear to throw it away and would be happy for it to help someone else! Just dm me with your address if you would like it. I’ve attached some photos x
Partial mastectomy & Tdap flap experience
Thought I would share my experience here for future users as I didn't find many examples for partial mastectomy and Tdap (thracodorsal arterial perforator) flap reconstruction. I was diagnosed at 43 with stage 1 idc of 3.5cm in my right breast. It was found in my first ever mammogram which I only had as baseline because I was starting HRT for perimenopause. Thank god it got caught early. My Surgeon was very thorough and ordered CT, bone scan and MRI, which didn't show any spread to lymphs or beyond. The tumour was located at about 10o'clock between the nipple and armpit. Due to its largish size of 3.5cm the Surgeon recommend partial mastectomy but indicated would be able to spare my nipple and key sensation nerves. Understanding the options available to me was really important including the pros and cons of each. In particular I wanted to understand options that would maintain sensation. My breast surgeon put me in touch with the plastic surgeon to talk through options. I strongly recommend you ask for this consult if it isn't offered to you. Given the size and location of my tumour if I had opted for a reconstruction only the breast size would be very small, and then I would have needed to consider reduction of the healthy left breast for symmetry. The Plastic surgeon identified I was a good candidate for a TDAP flap reconstruction as part of a single surgery. While there are some risks a flap might not take, I felt it was the best first choice option for me. And I was positive that if everything went well I would only need one surgery rather than subsequent later reconstruction surgeries. Involving both breast surgeon and plastic surgeon did add a few weeks and a number of appointments to the first month after diagnosis. Luckily for me with my particular diagnosis the surgeon wasn't concerned it would impact on my prognosis. I am very aware how lucky my circumstances have been to allow me these choices. My surgery was about 4 hours I'm told. The breast surgeon removed the tumour, x-rayed to check the margins and then handed over to the plastic surgeon. In the end the flap needed to be taken from between Tdap and ldap area on my back close to my armpit area in order to have suitable arteries for blood connection. 1 lymph node removed. Thankfully when I came out of surgery I didn't have any nausea and ate a meal that evening! I was in hospital for 6 nights afterwards as you have two drains for flap surgery and the plastics team like to Closely monitor the flap and drains. The main discomfort I had for first few days was a sore shoulder because my arm had to be above my head for the four hours surgery. So anti-inflammatory cream was in high use. I was able to walk from day 2 and pretty much just on Panadol for pain. The bruising all over the entire breast was epic so arnica cream was essential. After 6 nights in hospital I was allowed to go home with my drains and have daily nurse visits to check. I also had direct mobile number for my specialist nurse if I had any questions. Being home in a quiet bedroom was a relief after the noisy nights of hospital ward. Currently on day 10 post surgery and still have the two drains, although I think they will be out in next few days. Flap surgery can also mean longer period of recovery before you can drive-up to six weeks. Although that is very individual and I'm hoping I might be able to drive in another week or so. Still early days but thought I would share my experience so far. S
