Reconstruction after Lumpectomy
I have read a lot on this wonderful site about reconstruction and lumpectomy vs mastectomy. Wondering what experience others have had with reconstruction after lumpectomy.
My situation is that the lump is bulging right next to nipple in areola. Lumpectomy would take less than 1/4 of breast off the top, scar would be horizontal line. I am a B cup. I am trying to understand if I end up not ok with this 3/4 breast appearance what are reconstruction options after a lumpectomy.
PS is not very helpful. PS wrote in an email response to me "fat grafting or flap procedures could be used but are not typically cosmetically enhancing". what does that mean? If not, does that mean there are no good outcomes with lumpectomy reconstruction?
Mastectomy was given as an option for me but i am concerned that the feeling of an implant would bother me. I've read some people are ok with it and some aren't. Also all the photos the PS showed me of operations he did with one implant and one regular breast show the implant breast significantly higher than the other non-surgery breast.
Because of my insurance I feel very limited in my PS choice. I am having a hard time with this as so many of us do.
Any input is truly appreciated.
Comments
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Hi @bcmslars, See if you can find a breast surgeon who has training in oncoplastic surgery (a sub specialty.) After removing the tumor the breast surgeon rearranges the tissue to preserve the shape and as much of the size of the breast as possible. I am a C cup. My tumor was 3.2 cm so the surgeon told me that she might need to do a nip/tuck to reduce my other breast for symmetry. Even though I’m not totally symmetrical I never bothered with the second surgery since things look good. The scar is curved along the remade areola and barely visible.
It’s hard when insurance limits your options but calling breast (rather than plastic) surgery offices might give you a lead. Contacting breast cancer centers in large hospitals is a good place to start. My surgeon is in Boston but Emory is a NCI hospital as is UAB (I used to live in AL.) I am a three hour drive from my cancer center but I find the hassle and gas money worth it. You can always consult another plastic surgeon in your plan, too. I hope you find a good doctor.
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