Lumpectomy

I'm having last Tax next tues. and will also meet with surgeon. I guess, I am just askiing for a little of " what to expect" advice. I have been able to work full time thru all of my chemo pretty much. So what can I expect after the surgery? Time in hospital, pain, work, cmplications etc.. Do they really take skin off of your back and use it to construct? if so, do they do it then? I don't know... I don't know... I am so not knowing....

[bluebutterfly2222]

Congratulations on being close to the completion of your chemo, despite the  very difficult circumstances you have had to deal with!

Just a few comments for now:

If you are having a lumpectomy, it will probably be done as outpt surgery, with no hospitalization  (unless, rarely, there are complications and they want to keep the pt.  overnight for observation). You would probably have a drainage tube and want to use ice to reduce swelling, so you might not be ready to return to work for a few days.  Your surgeon will be able to give you a better idea about this.

Also, if you are just having a lumpectomy, there is usually no need for reconstruction.

If, for various reasons, the surgeon advises a mastectomy, then reconstruction can often be done at the same time, or it can be done later.

There are many different types of reconstruction, so if you end up going that route, you will want to have a consult with one, or more, plastic surgeons, to discuss the pros and cons of the different types, and which would seem best for you.

Be sure to write down  all the questions you have for when you meet with the surgeon.

Once you know more about the surgery that you will be having, post again, and members who have had similar procedures should be able to tell you a lot more in regard to what to expect.

Warmest regards,
bluebutterfly

[katarina777]

Sorry about your mother and  state of mind, valliboy. Consider your confusion as something that is protecting you right now, OK?

What I really wanted to do is tell you that I really, really  think you should hold off with reconstructive surgery. That is a major decision to make, and I do not think now is the time for you to go through something as heavy, and maybe never, but not know.

The breast surgery will be easy and it is much less painful than one would expect. I would take at least a few days of work.

But the reconstruction deal is major, and very long, and very painful, and very often is something the patient turns out not to be happy with, and often also leaving you with complications.
I have heard more than a few women say that their new breast looks like a nightmare, and about a year to heal, and sometimes the whole thing needs to be undone because of other factors, i.e. healing problems.

Please do not agree to have this done in a haste; really educate yourself about this by listening and talking to patients who had it done much more than to Plastic Surgeons who do the operation.

And if I may ask you a personal question? I am starting on Taxol next week. How many treatments did you have and how often? And how was the experience? (I have had chemo before but in a combo with other chemo and not Taxol by itself)

Take care, and do not make any major decisions right now like the reconstruction one.

KATRIN