Lumpectomy v therapeutic mammoplasty TNBC

[Snowy25]

I am about to have my last neo adjuvant chemo of carbo/paclitaxel (12 weeks) which followed 5 x FEC and now anxiously considering surgery.

Surgeon at 1st mentioned lumpectomy but also discussed therapeutic mammoplasty ... which he seemed to be more towards following my ultrasound. Seems that he can get bigger margins from the mammoplasty ?? And due to not shrinking completely may be better for some reconstruction.

Any advice or info would be a help at the min .

[anrean]

Hi I do not know what mammoplasty is, but would follow with what your oncologist is leaning toward. I had breast cancer in each breast, and both times had to have a second surgery because the lumpectomies did not get clear margins. In the left breast it was not the surgeon's fault, there was one tumor partially encapsulating another directly behind it - but I wonder if she was too conservative both times. Clinically studies show there is relatively no difference in outcomes between a lumpectomy and mastectomy, if that helps at all. Please let us know what you decide and how it works out!!

[Ditzy60]

Hi, I had a wide local excision and reduction to left breast in Feb, like yours my tumour hadn’t shrunk completely. The surgeon got 1cm clear margins. The surgery has given me a much more pert breast and this is at odds with the unaffected breast which is large and saggy. My surgeon has offered a reduction on the other side to even them up. I am pleased with the shape and size of my surgery . Good luck with making your decision . Carolyn

[Snowy25 in reply to Ditzy60]

Thank you ... I Think this is the way I will probably go.

Hope all goes well for you xxx

[Snowy25 in reply to Ditzy60]

Hi, Sorry for late reply but can I ask you how you found surgery and recovery ? I think yours sounds like the option I am leaning towards and I’m going over it in my mind ... length of time for operation.. and recovery etc

I have appointment with my surgeon on Thursday when I have to agree which surgery I have decided. So full on in my mind at min.

I think that at last meeting with him he mentioned my other Breast being reduced at the same time but I can’t be sure... my head was all over the place. 🙈

Hope you are well.

[Ditzy60]

You too. After the horrors of neo adjuvant chemo the surgery for me was a breeze and I think myself very lucky for that as I know it’s not the same for everyone ! Xx

[Snowy25 in reply to Ditzy60]

Hope I am like you ! Xx

[Ditzy60]

Hi, I had surgery on the Tuesday, was meant to stay in overnight because of the reduction but surgeon let me go home the same day. Was back at work the following Monday. I felt fine, only thing was sore arm from sentinel node biopsy which was controlled with Paracetamol. Lucky you if surgeon does both together. Good luck. Carolyn x

[Snowy25 in reply to Ditzy60]

Hi Carolyn, Ah that sounds like you did so well... I am really pleased for you. Where did you have your surgery if you don’t mind me asking ?

I can’t be sure he did say he could do them together... I’ve been all over the place this week..I was supposed to have my last chemo/paclitaxel Thursday last week, just before going in to see surgeon.. but it was cancelled due my bloods being low.. platelets not right.. and was feeling awful. Got to try for last one again this Thursday.. fingers crossed 🤞.

Thanks again

Diane x

[Ditzy60 in reply to Snowy25]

Hi Diane, I had my surgery in Basingstoke. I had hoped my surgeon would have done mine at same time but as I had large, saggy breasts he was concerned that it would be harder to get them even without knowing how much swelling there would be ( hope that isn’t too much information 🙂). After the horrors of chemotherapy the surgery honestly was fine. I had worked myself into a frenzy because I wasn’t able to have the last 2 chemos and they didn’t think the tumour has shrunk much. In the end it had shrunk from 4.2cms to 1.8cms a much better response than I thought. The surgeon has done a fab job, I haven’t looked this good since my 20’s well on one side anyway 😂😂. Good Luck for Thursday . Carolyn x

[Snowy25 in reply to Ditzy60]

Thank you so much... your reply has made me feel more positive after a bad few days.

Take care Carolyn x