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How did you decide to have bilateral breast reduction surgery?
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LaurieA (Survivor (2 - 5 years)) - 07 / 27 / 2011
Thanks for asking; with so many choices to make, I hope the answer will be helpful to others. Part of my decision was based on the diagnosis and surgical outcome, part of it was the result of my not having the BRCA genes.
In 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, and had 3 lumpectomies to get clean margins. Since the affected breast was initially a little smaller than the other breast, the difference became more significant with each surgery, and more so with radiation.
The course of testing and treatments included MRIs, MUGA scans, chemo, radiation, herceptin and BRCA testing, which was negative. My doctors had suggested I wait at least 18 months for the tissue to recover from radiation before considering any type of corrective surgery. I had a couple of scares earlier this year, but everything was OK, and the follow up tests have since been negative.
After getting two additional opinions, the consensus is that I am not at high enough risk to be a candidate for a mastectomy. Because of my size, I don’t need implants, and I do have the option for corrective surgery for the aftermath of the lumpectomies.
One underlying thought in my decision is that the less breast tissue there is, the less there is to get into trouble/recurrence. This may have no basis in logic, but it gives me a little peace of mind in having the reduction.
The other part of my decision is a comfort issue, both physically and emotionally. The imbalance is not making me limp, but it certainly is a nuisance when trying to compensate for the way my clothes fit.
This isn’t just about vanity. There’s a flicker of frustration, anger and heartbreak every time I get dressed and have to mess with a top or a bra. I’m reminded of not only what I went through, but so many people that have been through much worse.
I really look forward to feeling normal for the first time since this all started. And I like the possibility of being perky and healthy for another 30 years. With the blessing of good health, I feel this next step is also part of my own journey to free up my heart and energy to better help others that share this path. I want to do everything I can to feel as good as possible, and celebrate every moment of appreciation that my body recovered.
In 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, and had 3 lumpectomies to get clean margins. Since the affected breast was initially a little smaller than the other breast, the difference became more significant with each surgery, and more so with radiation.
The course of testing and treatments included MRIs, MUGA scans, chemo, radiation, herceptin and BRCA testing, which was negative. My doctors had suggested I wait at least 18 months for the tissue to recover from radiation before considering any type of corrective surgery. I had a couple of scares earlier this year, but everything was OK, and the follow up tests have since been negative.
After getting two additional opinions, the consensus is that I am not at high enough risk to be a candidate for a mastectomy. Because of my size, I don’t need implants, and I do have the option for corrective surgery for the aftermath of the lumpectomies.
One underlying thought in my decision is that the less breast tissue there is, the less there is to get into trouble/recurrence. This may have no basis in logic, but it gives me a little peace of mind in having the reduction.
The other part of my decision is a comfort issue, both physically and emotionally. The imbalance is not making me limp, but it certainly is a nuisance when trying to compensate for the way my clothes fit.
This isn’t just about vanity. There’s a flicker of frustration, anger and heartbreak every time I get dressed and have to mess with a top or a bra. I’m reminded of not only what I went through, but so many people that have been through much worse.
I really look forward to feeling normal for the first time since this all started. And I like the possibility of being perky and healthy for another 30 years. With the blessing of good health, I feel this next step is also part of my own journey to free up my heart and energy to better help others that share this path. I want to do everything I can to feel as good as possible, and celebrate every moment of appreciation that my body recovered.
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