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Conflicting surgical opinions? What now?

Posted by lauraho @lauraho, Nov 17, 2022

I had 2 consults this week. One recommended lumpectomy followed by radiation, then AI, and one for mastectomy with AI. One surgeon confident I didn’t need a mastectomy, the other didn’t feel I was a candidate for lumpectomy. Both are excellent surgeons. I am not sure how to process this and make the right decision. Anyone else have this experience?

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zeerj | @zeerj | Nov 23, 2022
In reply to @toomanyquestions "I’m facing the same dilemma. How was your experience going flat? Was it difficult to move,..." + (show)
@toomanyquestions

I’m facing the same dilemma. How was your experience going flat? Was it difficult to move, do you swim or play racquet sports. I am very active. What were your challenges and what helped?

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I opted with delayed reconstruction since I am doing radiation now. They put expanders as the surgeon was able to do nipple sparring. The expanders initially were uncomfortable and reminded me when I had kids when the breast are very full with milk. It’s been about 8wks now since my mastectomy and honestly the expanders don’t bother me at all. I had anxiety after surgery regretting the decision to do nipple sparring thinking what if cancer comes back but I was assured that if it’s to come back, whether I had gone flat or not, it doesn’t make a difference. A friend I met thru cancer support group went flat and she loves it.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 24, 2022
In reply to @toomanyquestions "I’m facing the same dilemma. How was your experience going flat? Was it difficult to move,..." + (show)
@toomanyquestions

I’m facing the same dilemma. How was your experience going flat? Was it difficult to move, do you swim or play racquet sports. I am very active. What were your challenges and what helped?

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@toomanyquestions going flat did not restrict my movements or activities at all.

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lauraho | @lauraho | Nov 24, 2022

Update. I spoke with surgeon of choice regarding the second opinion. Something I did not hear during the initial consult was that the lumpectomy will involve 1/3 of my breast, which better explains the option for mastectomy. I am going with lumpectomy, radiation and AI. I hope I don’t need mastectomy down the road, but I will accept and manage that if/when the time comes. The primary reason for my choice is recovery time. I am a single Mom, and also have elderly Mom and relatives that need rides to doctors appointments, groceries, etc. And my surgeon of choice is at an excellent cancer center, and I prefer for all treatments and follow up to be performed there. Grateful to live within an hour of Roswell Park Cancer Imstitite.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 25, 2022
In reply to @lauraho "Update. I spoke with surgeon of choice regarding the second opinion. Something I did not hear..." + (show)
@lauraho

Update. I spoke with surgeon of choice regarding the second opinion. Something I did not hear during the initial consult was that the lumpectomy will involve 1/3 of my breast, which better explains the option for mastectomy. I am going with lumpectomy, radiation and AI. I hope I don’t need mastectomy down the road, but I will accept and manage that if/when the time comes. The primary reason for my choice is recovery time. I am a single Mom, and also have elderly Mom and relatives that need rides to doctors appointments, groceries, etc. And my surgeon of choice is at an excellent cancer center, and I prefer for all treatments and follow up to be performed there. Grateful to live within an hour of Roswell Park Cancer Imstitite.

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I think the main difference @lauraho is that with lumpectomy you need radiation. And of course you will still have 2/3 of your breast...

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 25, 2022
In reply to @frogjumper "I am looking into Proton therapy. It is considered to be safer with few side affects...." + (show)
@frogjumper

I am looking into Proton therapy. It is considered to be safer with few side affects. Particularly in the left breast where traditional photon radiation they can injure your heart. Some people have nearly -0- side affects with Proton Therapy, its pretty amazing what they can do.

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Welcome @frogjumper. You might be interested in this related discussion:
- My experience with proton beam therapy & breast cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/breast-cancer-diagnosis-in-february-2016/

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