Surgery after Radiotherapy

[Titch22]

Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but here goes...Following BC (lumpectomy) & radiotherapy in 2018. My breast has become very swollen, heavy & very uncomfortable, which gets worse as the day goes on. I’ve gone up 2 bras sizes now contemplating going up another 2 sizes. I’m currently undergoing physio for lymphedema although my surgeon doesn’t think I have it but it might help 🤷‍♂️ the last resort is surgery for breast reduction. My question...has anyone had breast surgery following radiotherapy? My surgeon is trying to put me off due to possible complications, but I know I cannot continue like this as it’s affecting my life....sleep & exercise amongst other things. Can anyone share experiences either good or bad as it may help me decide on what to do.

[Jennymary]

Firstly I'd push surgeon and/or GP for an appointment at your nearest lymphodema clinic to rule that in or out before deciding whether or not to have a breast reduction, good luck

[Titch22 in reply to Jennymary]

Apparently my physio said any swelling after breast surgery is deemed as lymphodema, although my surgeon seems to think it’s more radio damage. I’m gonna see how physio goes first, next stage is a lymphodema specialist...

[Nmartinez15 in reply to Titch22]

Not always.... I have experience the same after surgery, radiation and implants. I have like 6 surgery already! My under arm and breast was getting swollen and painful. I got an infection, then I start having issue and then they did ultrasound and ct scan. At first they thought was cancer bc they found a lump but then I went back for biopsy and they lump reduce significantly. I have surgery past week and they check me again. Not infection or cancer but when u have implants the body produces the capsular around the implants and thia get very hard. The capsular n scar tissue was the reason of my inflammation n swelling. They remove part of the capsular n will see what happens. I noticed that my fingers don't get numb like before. I was dealing w that daily.

[Nmartinez15 in reply to Titch22]

I think you might develop scar tissue and damage of radiation. My right breast got too much n radiation make the scar tissue worse.

[Boobybooby]

I still have pain 3 years on mine also gets worse as the day goes on it goes hard and is painful. I had breast reduction while under for lumpectomy . On both breast. Now i suffer with fat necrosis also which is uncomfortable. . Take tablets. Dont have more surgery.

[Titch22 in reply to Boobybooby]

Yes mine also gets worse as the day goes on. I wouldn’t call mine pain

as such, it’s just very very uncomfortable. The swelling is at the side by my arm so I am constantly bumping it & it restricts movement especially when I exercise. I also can’t get into any of my clothes & have had to buy a couple of very unflattering baggy oversized tops. I’m feeling quite miserable about the whole thing tbh 🤷‍♂️

[Titch22 in reply to Boobybooby]

I also wish I had done the same regarding breast reduction whilst having lumpectomy but at the time I was just focused on getting rid of the cancer 🤷‍♂️

[Jennymary]

Just a thought, might be worth posting on the HU Lymphodema Support Network (LSN) forum in case anyone there has had similar issues