breast reduction after radiation

[mapmelody]

I have had a lumpectomy on my right breast.  I had 4 chemos and 34 radiation treatments.  I have large breasts.  Can I have a breast reduction after having chemo and radiation?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear mapmelody:  Theoretically you can have a breast reduction.  The person to speak with would be a plastic surgeon who can evaluate your breast tissue and determine whether such a procedure can be done effectively and whether the radiated tissue will cause any problems with the healing process.  You may also wish to discuss this with your breast surgeon with regard to future surveillance and whether other options for reduction/reconstruction should be considered.

[mapmelody]

Thanks for your input saying that theoretically I can have the breast reduction.  The problem is:  My oncologist says it's Ok to have it, my radiologist says to have it done now because my mammogram came back perfect.  However, when I went to the plastic surgeon, he said that I was not a candidate for breast reduction because of the radiation and I would not possibly heal.  I feel that if anybody should have recognized this it would have been the radiologist and he said I could do it.  I am so confused.  Now I don't know who to believe.  Thanks!