Coping with Breast Changes After Lumpectomy

Reconstruction wasn’t bad for me I actually had mines done immediately after my double lumpectomy. I opted for tissue rearrangement with reduction and lift. You can’t even tell I had anything done. They maybe able to do a fat transfer if your looking to stay at your original size or a reduction on the un effected side. Consult with a plastic surgeon. I’m not sure what part of the country your in but my plastic surgeon is phenomenal.

I found a decent bra from Maidenform that is padded and makes both sides look symmetrical. I never really liked padded bras but it works for me now. My surgeon mentioned that I could have a lift on the unaffected breast but I haven’t really considered it much. It has been 2 years since my lumpectomy, same as you. It looked okay at first but the tissue loss was emphasized after radiation. I’m not really sure at this time if I want to do anything. I understand how it affects your self esteem though. I’m curious if others can weigh in on having any type of reconstruction and what the outcome was.

The dr did a great job on my DCIS side. I can feel a ditch in the front of my breast and the scar is faint. The right side, however looks terrible. The stage 1 lumpectomy was more invasive and it looks like a hole in the side of my breast, but it’s just the scar pulling inward. I just wear a regular soft sports type bra. My surgeon recommended plastic surgery down the road, but I doubt I will do it. It will just make more scar tissue and I have a problem with lymphedema already.

I had lumpectomy and since it would reduce the size by a cup size, decided to do a reduction on the other breast. Happy I did as they found 2 very small tumors and so had another lumpectomy. After 14 rounds of radiation was told my breast would shrink for up to 6 months. I was a C cup and now I am a small B cup. 🤷‍♀️. They are both the same size which was the theory and goal.

I had a double lumpectomy left breast. Radiation following surgery actually made the left side bigger. So sometimes making these surgical decisions at the same time doesn’t account for side effects of other treatments. If you didn’t have radiation though that’s probably different.

I had a reduction on the other breast for symmetry. It’s not a huge surgery and super easy to recover from. My husband knew I would regret it if I didn’t do it. You’ve got this. Find a good plastic surgeon, and since this is a surgery for symmetry from breast cancer your insurance should pay for I

It's completely understandable that feelings about body changes can evolve over time, and many people in this community have faced similar decisions about reconstruction after lumpectomy. Consider discussing your current feelings with your medical team - they can help explain all available options and timing considerations, while connecting with others here who've navigated this journey might offer valuable perspectives on their experiences and decision-making process.