Lumpectomy with Breast Reduction and Lift

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I had just the lumpectomy, with excellent cosmesis; but if I had to do it all over again I'd have opted for a reduction in the other breast for symmetry (Medicare covers it, but not sure if other insurance does). One of my breast surgeons—who specializes in oncoplasty—suggested it (I have at least a 2-cup-size discrepancy, and a G cup in even the lumpectomy breast). Only thing that gives me pause is my age and my reluctance to go through the pain & drains for something that won't save my life or make it easier. Your mileage may vary.

Hello @cat_guardian and @dkelley1. I’m sorry, I’m not really the right person to answer your questions since mine was a mastectomy with implant on one side but I did have a significant reduction/lift on the other side, so I can speak a little about that.

Now that it’s fully healed and time has passed, all swelling is gone and the scars have faded … I’m so happy I went ahead with the reduction on my healthy breast! I had it done at the same time I had my implant put in, so I had a 6-week restriction on both arms instead of just one (not lifting my arms up or out too far, not lifting more than a few pounds) and no drain was needed for the reduction, I only had a drain with the original mastectomy. I did accidentally open up the incision on the reduction side by trying to do too much about 3 weeks after surgery, although the incision looked healed over, it was only surface healed and it didn’t take much to open it up, so that took a while longer to heal. I guess because I’m comparing it to the mastectomy surgery, the reduction was relatively not that bad, with just a little spot that was painful along my incision in the beginning.

I don’t think I would have ever considered a reduction surgery if I hadn’t gotten cancer, but now I’m very glad to be a smaller size! It was definitely worth it to me. I do hope someone else will come along and post some more helpful information. Have a good night.

You’re welcome @cat_guardian. It was so hard not knowing how things would feel after surgery and during recovery (anxiety-inducing for sure) and I agree, all the nuggets of info really do help! I wanted to be prepared mentally for what was to come and I had no exposure to breast cancer so I knew nothing really.

One thing that helped me immensely was joining the “In Treatment for Breast Cancer” support group offered here … seeing women in all different phases of their breast cancer experience, and hearing them discuss specific things was calming and strengthening. If you are able to attend any of them, I highly recommend it. This can be an isolating experience if we aren’t careful.

Btw, great name!! I come from a large cat-loving family.

Hello @cat_guardian. Try to hang in there!! Each week is that much closer to full healing. It takes longer than we might have hoped but eventually it truly does heal and you will get back to your normal activities. I’m happy you have some positive news about the overall treatment but so sorry to hear about your ongoing pain and discomfort. Nerve pain is no joke from what I hear!

There seems to often be a “discouragement phase” to recovery (from injuries, surgeries, etc) where we expect we should be feeling good by a certain point but then we actually aren’t and it feels so overwhelming, so discouraging, like we will never feel normal ever again! I wish the surgeons prepared us for that better. And I realize that some women really do feel fine in a few weeks and get right back into everything, but many women need longer or have some complications that make the recovery take much longer.

After my 6 weeks of restrictions after my mastectomy, I was beyond dismayed at how limited my arm range of motion was and I had cording up and down the length of it, plus through my chest. It actually did almost seem to follow the veins up my arm … that was pretty painful! I could feel like tight strings of hard tiny beads under the skin, it was odd, exquisitely painful and very restricting. I went once a week to a lymphedema physical therapist through the hospital and it was my torture treatment as she tried working out the cording. I was very frustrated at how limited and painful my arm was during weeks 7-12 and then it felt somewhat better for a couple of weeks but then I gradually started developing a frozen shoulder, so that was special. I couldn’t get in to see a physical therapist to deal with my shoulder before my next surgery but I did find a massage therapist who works with breast cancer patients and she did lymphatic drainage massage. She was incredibly helpful and reassuring that I was healing at an appropriate pace, like many others she had worked on. I liked that she was so familiar with the healing process and literally knew what it felt like as it healed. She spent quite a few sessions just working in my armpit on my scarring and cording … it made a difference. Turns out I had quite a bit of scarring that the surgeon had to remove during my next surgery. Afterwards my plastic surgeon said I had a harder time recovering than most. Ugh. I don’t know how I could have done anything differently, except I wish I had found the massage therapist sooner because she helped more than anyone else. Also, perhaps a different physical therapist who would have showed me better exercises? The physical therapist I had after my second surgery was excellent and they were altogether different exercises she had me doing. I see now that doing the correct exercises daily was essential and also just giving everything time. Time for the healing to happen, for the swelling to go down, for everything to readjust.

Are you seeing anyone for physical therapy? If you are able to find someone who does massage for breast cancer patients, I recommend that. Try to be patient with yourself as you are healing. I know it feels like you should be further along in healing than you are but the nerve pain and possible cording are complications that are making it take longer.

Hi @cat_guardian. A little gain each day is progress! I overlooked that it’s only been 4 weeks for you … it’s still early days and I’m sure it’s too soon for any massage or PT. I’m sorry, I really should have been so careful to say once you are cleared by your surgeon! I hope your appointment goes well on Monday.