Meeting with a Breast Surgeon: What to Expect?

I have the same diagnosis and see breast surgeon. My anxiety is through the roof.

Hi Malinda. I had my meeting with the breast surgeon and she was wonderful. After the physical exam we went to her office and talked. She answered my questions, as well as my daughters, and went explained everything to me. I booked my surgery - it’s in 2 weeks.

I am praying for you🙏🏻 I have my appointment on Tuesday. I think when I have a better understanding of everything I will feel better. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

Hi ladies, I'm at the same point as both of you. I've seen my post-MRI report and have been looking up some of the things to see what they mean. Some things are better than initially thought but others are worse. The best part so far is that the cancer is only in one breast. I will be following your posts and share as I can. We will get through this together. Talk soon! Sue

Hi Sue, I am sending you prayers. 🙏🏻 I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow. I hope to have a surgery date soon. We got this.❤️❤️

Hi Malinda and Sue. With the surgery scheduled I’m getting anxious. Going through the ropes with getting the blood work done and EKG. It helps that my primary doctor keeps checking in on me. Thanks so much for your encouragement - we got this!

Hi Darlene, would love to know more about your journey and the plan they set forth for you. I was just diagnosed with DCIS er/pr positive. Seeing the surgeon next week for a consult and to discuss the plan. My oncologist suggest surgery to remove as much of the tissue as possible along with five weeks of radiation, and depending on the pathology, might have to go on tamoxifen. The plan sounds very promising, but would love to hear anyone else’s story on this .

Hi Terra. I was diagnosed on October 10 officially with a biopsy and saw the breast surgeon on October 17. I had a lumpectomy on 3 November. Between the 17th and until the 1st of Nov, lots of tests - breast mri, bloodwork, ekg. Also had genetic testing to see if there was any links. Thankfully there wasn’t any genetic factors. I go for my follow up with the surgeon on 17 Nov so I should know my exact plan then since the pathology report came back from the lumpectomy today. Most likely going to need some radiation and hormone therapy since tests indicate I was estrogen positive. It is a lot to take in and I was lucky to have a good therapist and primary physician to talk through this with and guide me. I know that i will feel some kind of way when I see the scar once the final tape comes off so preparing for that. Good luck on your appointment and remember you can do this!

Thank you Darlene. Sounds like our paths are quite similar. I am waiting for the results of my genetic testing and my MRI is scheduled for December 28th. For now I will prepare to enjoy Thanksgiving and try to keep my mind occupied for a bit. Can’t do much until after the MRI so going to try to relax. I hope your follow up appointment goes well. Please keep me posted…. And yes, you are correct, we got this.!!❤️

@ Terra - tons of good thoughts your way because the waiting is the hard part when you don’t know exactly what you are facing. The first decent sleep I had was after the MRI because I finally knew what I was facing and there was a plan. Enjoy your time with your family!

Hi Darlene, Malinda and anyone else who has jumped on since I last posted. I ended up having a double mastectomy last Friday, November 10, with immediate reconstruction, so it was out with the "junk" and in with "good stuff". Everything went smoothly, and I wasn't nauseous from the sedation drugs, which has occurred with other sedation. I am the pharmacist's daughter but always joked I had no use for what he was peddling. So I stayed overnight and was home mid-afternoon the next day. Truthfully, I felt good (totally shocked by this); much better than my 3 c-sections. The only thing that I had issues with was the drains. I never had those before and no one explained them to me. I went to use the bathroom and the machines they were attached to fell to the floor and the nurses came a-runnin! It was later documented in my care notes that I was found twice trying to pull out my drains and was not orienting well to my surroundings. I could write a book on that after my mother's journey through Alzheimer's/dementia. The comment has been addressed. Moving on: I saw the plastic surgeon yesterday, 5 days post-op. I drove myself 15 miles each way to my appointment. The doctor was very happy with the healing thus far and said he was able to do more in surgery because things went so well. I meet with the general surgeon and an oncologist Monday and find out my next steps. Drains should come out Tuesday. Moving along fast. Two months ago my daughter told me she was pregnant and I was looking forward to all of that anticipation of my first grandchild. Two weeks later my world flipped sideways and here we are. Sorry this got so long but there are so many thoughts and emotions that are bubbling up right now. Think good thoughts and take each day as it comes. Surround yourself with fabulous friends and family who will be there for you. Keep moving forward. I'm holding a good thought for each and every one of you. ❤️ Sue

So glad that the doctors were happy with your post op healing. I’ve had objections to comments put in my medical records before unrelated to this issue. Apparently they think as patients we don’t review our information. Congrats on the grand baby - that’s such a joy!

Thanks Darlene. Also, I realize I said my MRI was on December 28th but I meant November 28th.  My follow up with the surgeon will be a week after that. I should have a plan in action by the 1st week of December. Hopefully, Lord, willing, my MRI is all clear, except for the one problem area. I hope your follow up on the 17th went well. You are in my prayers as well as all the ladies on here 🙏🏾

Hi Terra. Had my follow up with the surgeon on Friday and there were no surprises - pathology reports say they got it all & my margins were clear. She gave me my referrals for the radiation and medical oncologists. I have to see the surgeon in March and I believe mammo in 6 month increments. Still stressed but once I get this treatment plan outlined and start hopefully it will get better. Just thankful for that news and will take it one day at a time. Peace and blessings to you.

Darlene!!!!! that is amazing news. So happy to hear about the margins and you are moving forward. Please keep me in prayer as I get the MRI in a few weeks. Praying that comes back with an all clear and that we are just worrying about the one area so I can go ahead and schedule the surgery. Have a great Thanksgiving. Will keep everyone posted. ❤️

Definitely good news Terra. My prayers and thoughts are with you that you will receive great news as well. The MRI will give the doctor a lot of useful information and your options. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Hi ladies I have DCIS grade 3 have had a lumpectomy on Dec 11 just found out they need to go back in Feb 2 to take more out

I found out I had breast cancer Nov 28 had lumpectomy Jan 5 plus took lymph node. The surgery showed good margins on breast and they got it all. But the lump node has it. I am triple negative so that means full chemo and radiation but first they are doing a pet scan to see if more cancer is in my body. Really stressed out anyone having to have pet scan too

Meeting with a breast surgeon can feel overwhelming, but preparing a list of questions beforehand about treatment options, timeline, and what to expect can help make the appointment more productive. Many community members find it helpful to bring a trusted friend or family member for support and to help remember important information discussed during the visit.