General Surgeon or Breast Surgeon???

[pattysb]

Hope someone can help....had cluster microcalcifications...mammos...ultrasound...biopsy last week...results show DCIS. ( I have several cluster microcalcifications)...my family MD is completely on top of things! thank god!!! but did refer me immeadiately to  general surgeon....
my question is there is concern since I do have several clusters...a lumpectomy may not be the way to go..since they might need to remove several areas of tissue....should I be seeing a "breast surgeon"??... also if a mastectomy is done, am I able to have implant or reconstruction done at the same time?

Thanks for any imput!!!!

[pattysb]

Japdip,

Thank you for your input....I DID already have biopsy last week... came back DCIS,  and MRI today...have appt on Nov 26th with general surgeon for next steps....

Jen1967,
Sounds like youve been thru the ringer for sure....I don't know if we are ever really prepared for any of this mess!   I think I need to start working on a list of questions for sure....I was just under the impression that if my condition warranted a mastectomy, that I would just have them take the bad one off and immeadiately throw in an implant!!!
WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!!   How are you doing now?   Patty

[Jen1967]

Good - seems like youre doing your research. I   had a 2 cm mass with microcalcifications all around it. A mastectomy is recomended but I went through chemo first as well. I finished my chemo today actually.

I went to a gen surg that specializes in breast surgery. But I also did my research and asked him about free tram flaps (for reconstruction) and skin sparing mastectomies. He said I wasnt a candidate for either. I go to a big city hospital and thats the first thing they tell me is I will be getting both of those procedures. I was shocked and unprepared with questions.

So personally I would go to a breast surgeon - I a big hospital.

[japdip]

IT depends on your confidence in the Surgeon; and this would depend on how confident he/she is in doing breast surgery and how many cases he/she has actually done. Don't hesitate to ask how much experience he/she has had in the particular type of surgery you will be having. Any Surgeon shouldn't mind in the least being very forthcoming with their experience. I personally had a General Surgeon ... totally my choice and even he offered that I obtain a second opinion which I refused. You would have to consult a Plastic Surgeon as well about the recon. immediately following a mastectomy but that seems pretty far into the future since you haven't yet had a biopsy. The tests you mentioned cannot diagnose any condition as either benign or cancerous. First things first but it never hurts to have a plan in mind ... I applaud you.  Regards ...