I was diagnosed 9 years ago, and offered lumpectomy with 5 weeks of radiation, only available a two hour drive away, or surgery. I chose surgery which turned out to be easy, for me. The drainage tube was not bad, and there was uneventful recovery. There was/is numbness/tightness at the site. I only regret not having a double mastectomy. Very small chested to begin with, clothes would have been easier. The prosthetic I have is awful; it stays in the bureau drawer. I think the biopsy was more painful than the surgery. Treatment for me was 7 years of Arimidex, and many Zometa infusions which did not stave off osteoporosis. My bones have gotten worse. I’m 76 now, and don’t worry too much about recurrence.