Topic: did ur breast look differant after excisional bx/lumpectomy?

I had an excisional/lumpectomy in July. And I remember seeing some of the same things. Puckering, odd shaped-aereola, etc. The itching/pains are nerves and healing. Of course, I had a lot of tissue removed ... I was a droopy small B cup, too, and the doc took out a 5cmx3cmx3cm amount of tissue (which was extensive LCIS mixed with DCIS and a tiny invasive spot). I would trust your doc ... or get another opinion if that makes you feel better. I hope your results are B9.

Lee

I had mine last year, and other than the scar my breast looked exactly the same.  But then I had an awesome surgeon at md anderson.  But I was really worried before hand, because I had seen pictures and read of puckering and changes in the breast.  So I think it is very common, and you doctor would know if it looked unusual.

karen337 I'm also from lousiana (new orleans)...just thought I'd tell you...anyways...I'm confused on exactly what puckering is. Is it the "gathering" I'm referring to? 

Hi - newbie here. I'm glad I found this place. I'm 49 and having an excisional biopsy on Tuesday morning - amoung other things I'm worrying about whether I'm going to wake up and find half my breast removed. Covertanjou - your post made me laugh!

Did any of you find that using ice helped?

well I don't just have 1 wrinkle...I have a patch of wrinkled skin. It is the skin that lays over the area that was excised. So the patch is about 2 inches long and a half to 1 inch wide. When I pressdown on that area it wrinkles even more. The excised area went from fluid filled to very firm. Not like a lump just the entire area is firm instead of soft tissue. I find myself constantly stareing at my breast. I dnt care about how it looks I care weather this is a symptom of ibc or some form of cancer that my surgeon is not taking into consideration. I'm 24 and have 3 kids..so although most women my age would care about the appearance I could careless...my hunny is gonna love me anyway you know? I'd be willing to send pictures if anyone thought they could tell me if this is something they have seen or if they think it needs to be seen AGAIN by the surgeon. I've been searching the net for skin chamges after lumpectomy/excisional bx. There isn't much out there. I read alot about dimpling which is not what I have. I'm frustrated and nervous and scared all over again. LisaPG, don't worry about the bx at all! I felt minor discomfort after the procedure but nothing a pain pill won't cure. My breast was swollen for a week or 2 and is still bruised 4 weeks out and as uve read the skin over the excised area is all wrinkled/puckered/gathered however it os best described. But really for the most part my boob looks great. The incision was made around the areola...I have a nonexistant scar. So if this wrinkling was not there you would never know I had anything done! Good luck to you...

Jalmom--maybe you have a hematoma?  I wound up with one after my lumpectomy & then reexcision.  It's hard and kind of functions like a space saver.  

Just a thought..

Lorrie 

I just updated my original post....so if you only scanned half way through please read the last few sentences...I now have a freaking dent in my breast! I dnt know what's going on....

but its literally all of a sudden and right underneath it I can still feel the "firm" we will call it scar tissue....so its not like empty...so I'm not understanding how this can be from removed tissue. I'm a freaking basket case...I'm calling my surgeon once again in the a.m. This is ridiculous!!

I had  "firm" or hard bumps under the "dent."  

I know how hard this is.  It is so weird looking at you breast, and it is soooo different.  I think I slept  with my bra long after the doctor told me I had to because it was difficult to look at it.  It didn't look like my breast.  First it was swollen; then it was all these odd colors; then the "dent"; it was hard under the scar, etc.  

Call your doctor if you are concerned.  You have every right to do so.  You can also vent and rant here any time you want.  We are here to listen and support you.

Mary 

I sent you a PM 

Hi I was looking at all the posts about difficulties post lumpectomy.  My incision is around the areola closest to arm and it has a wrinkled, puckered appearance but I just took it to appear that way because the doctor closed it on the outside with that new glue.  My breast is really swollen and sore still 2 weeks post op.  My tumor was really deep so I haven't seen any surface bruising,  it is still very sore and I still have the sharp shooting pains occassionally.  I also have hard areas under the incisional area.  I had been wondering if this was normal for everyone else.  So, I don't have a dent in my breast yet, but with all the tissue my surgeon took out, 23cms or 10 inches in circumference, I may.  I have also noticed that my breast is a little higher and the nipple points a different direction, but some of you have said that may resolve with time is that right? 

Also, the puckering could possibly get a bit better as the stitches desolve.