Topic: Reduction after unilateral mastectomy

I've never heard of anyone doing this, but it makes sense to me for someone who is very large breasted and wants to be able to go with a smaller breast form or who just wants to have a less noticeable difference between both sides of their chest. I do think that women with smaller breasts have an easier time going natural or wearing a breast form.

~elaine~ 

I had my rightside mastectomy/reconstruction on May1. While the surgeon was performing the mastectomy, the plastic surgeon was doing a reduction on the left side. Then by the time that was done she moved to the right to begin the reconstruction. I just thought that the reductionof the other side was the norm with a mastectomy.

I was just diagnosed and will have my MRI today. Due to location of mass my Dr says I may need to do modified mastectomy and consider reconstruction or he said to use prothesis. The prothesis route seems to be a hassel with all I am reading and I too have large breasts 44DD so I do not really want to always be worried about mis-match. How did your surgery go if I may ask. Do you know if they always reduce the good side or do they use tissue from belly fat or whatever. Still unsure as to this whole process and I am just trying to get more info to better help me make a choice when it comes time for that.

Linbad2:

I ended up not having the reduction.  Not because I don't still want it but the consult for the plastic surgery group my insurance approved didn't go well.  I have to have confidence in my PS and this one did not inspire me at all.

I asked around and got great recommendations for another PS (saw some great results of his work).  Unfortunately, he is not taking any new patients at this time so I'm in a waiting game hoping that once he begins taking patients again, I can get the insurance company to co-operate again.

Reconstruction is a wholly different thing than reduction.  I opted out of reconstruction as it just wasn't for me.  I do know that if you choose reconstruction, then the reduction on the non-cancer side to achieve symetry is somewhat common.  If you choose to go that route, you'll have the opportunity to pick your size. 

I had a right mastectomy in 2004 with no reconstruction.  My left breast was a D.

In 2007 I had a reduction of Leftbreast and silicone implant and am now an a/b and absolutely love it.  I do wear sports bras but don't really have to wear a bra now.

I'm so happy to see this post.  After lumpectomy on right left it much smaller than left which is a large C/small D - I'm wondering about reduction as well.  I would be very interested in the pathology of the tissue too.  I even wonder if they could reduce both of them.  Wondering if this would increase the odds against return of BC.  Thanks for posting this!!!!

I am relatively newly diagnosed, but while waiting in the Dr. office was reading a book, and apparently, the book said it was a FEDEARL LAW that once a woman had breast cancer that reconstruction would inclue the "other" breast (either reconstruction or surgery so they match).

See below, I also found it on the Web:

 http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/cen/canc/brca/alert11092001.jsp

"The 1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law -- sometimes referred to as the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 -- requires group and individual health insurance plans to cover reconstructive surgery after mastectomy, as well as implants and other work needed to make the other breast symmetrical - that is, to make both breasts match. "

Springtime 

Erica, thanks for the information.  Can you tell me, is one hard and one soft?  THanks,Mary

It's all about the plastic surgeon. You can read real horror stories about reconstruction and others that are extremely pleased. I was lucky, I had a unilateral mastectomy with a reduction on the other side for symmetry, and I one of the ones who is extremely pleased. My p.s.showed me pictures of his work in cases exactly like mine. I was recommended to him by my breast surgeon who works with him all the time. He only does breast reconstruction. Not every plastic surgeon is an expert in breast reconstruction. If you get a good surgeon, you can get a good result. The most important factor, before the technique, is the surgeon.

I know not everyone lives in a metropolitan area where they have access to choices, but it might be worth travelling farther to go to someone with a really good reputation.

Hope this helps