Lumpectomy + radiation VS Mastectomy -- pros cons?

Hi,
I was diagnosed with DICS ER- Multifocal in the fall. It has taken four months to get to this point in the process. Right now I am scheduled for surgery (a lumpectomy), after which I should have radiation.

My DCIS covers a larger area so I am right on the line between mastectomy and lumpectomy. I chose this path because it is less invasive. Also I fear the risk of lymphedema (rational or not, that is something I grapple with).

My question for this fine group is the following:
If my margins are not clear OR they find invasive OR I have a local reoccurrence -- I will have to have a mastectomy. The plastic surgeon (who will close me up and try to make things look good) has suggested I consider going straight to mastectomy because in their words "Radiation is horrible".
The radiation oncologist said something different -- more along the lines of "there are minor side effects but they are temporary".

So, I am curious if others have faced similar?

Just to be clear, my questions are around side effects of radiation vs bigger surgery/longer recovery/risk of lymphedema (sentinel node biopsy, not dissection)

Thank you in advance!
jjmoon