Aa
2013 Update
I have 2 other "updates" on here, somewhere...
Quick background: I discovered a lump in my right breast in 2008 (?) and had a lumpectomy, the surgical site never healed. Multitudes of doctors and tests later, I was diagnosed with GM. I eventually "recovered" in 2010, by having a partial mastectomy of that breast. I've never had a flare up in that breast since.
2012: I discovered a lump in my LEFT breast, similar to the original one in my right. After imaging, a core biopsy, was determined it was GM, again. Treatment began again.
2013: After a L&D, which ultimately has failed, I am FINALLY (!!!) having another partial mastectomy, on the left side. My surgery is for later this month, and I'm optimistic, and quite hopeful, that this will be the end of this for me.
Quick background: I discovered a lump in my right breast in 2008 (?) and had a lumpectomy, the surgical site never healed. Multitudes of doctors and tests later, I was diagnosed with GM. I eventually "recovered" in 2010, by having a partial mastectomy of that breast. I've never had a flare up in that breast since.
2012: I discovered a lump in my LEFT breast, similar to the original one in my right. After imaging, a core biopsy, was determined it was GM, again. Treatment began again.
2013: After a L&D, which ultimately has failed, I am FINALLY (!!!) having another partial mastectomy, on the left side. My surgery is for later this month, and I'm optimistic, and quite hopeful, that this will be the end of this for me.
I am so thinking going same path...what stops me is that Doctors want to do a total mastectomy in both breasts, but at the moment I just have the left one with GM..
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
Honestly, ideally, I would opt for a total mastectomy, but that's just me personally. I've actually opted for one for a few years because of GM, however in my area, no surgeon will grant it based on my age (I believe I was 23/24 when I first brought up having one), and that it's a non-life threatening reason i.e. cancer. Of course, I REALLY urged having a total mastectomy when it appeared in my other breast! However, since the partial worked previously for me, I'm hopeful!
Hi! How are you doing!
Well, I have Gm in my other breast as well, so went to the Breast Specialist and he mentioned skin-sparing mastectomy because I am too young (37LOL) and of course that it's a non-life threatening reason...
I am not sure if that type of mastectomy will work with GM...he is going to take me to a Plastic Surgery Center to see what all Plastic Surgeons think about reconstruction in case of simple mastectomy...
Please let me know about your surgery and how do you feel!
Take care!
Veronica
Well, I have Gm in my other breast as well, so went to the Breast Specialist and he mentioned skin-sparing mastectomy because I am too young (37LOL) and of course that it's a non-life threatening reason...
I am not sure if that type of mastectomy will work with GM...he is going to take me to a Plastic Surgery Center to see what all Plastic Surgeons think about reconstruction in case of simple mastectomy...
Please let me know about your surgery and how do you feel!
Take care!
Veronica
I've had a partial mastectomy now on both breasts, and in the original one, this operation was a success, never reoccured in that breast!
From my experience, any surgeon that I would WANT operating on me, will not consider reconstruction for at least a couple of years - without a GM flare up. There is no point in starting reconstruction, if GM is still present. However, I'm sure this is different when one has a complete mastectomy, as mine have been partial. Honestly, one can barely tell, except for the scar(s) that I have - on the original breast is about a 2 inch line horizontal away from the nipple toward my side and maybe 3 inches that intercepts that going vertical. I have yet to see what it will look like on the breast I just had surgery on! For the amount taken on the original breast, it's barely smaller, noticeable to myself and my boyfriend only was able to tell after he had been told... Men. lol
From my experience, any surgeon that I would WANT operating on me, will not consider reconstruction for at least a couple of years - without a GM flare up. There is no point in starting reconstruction, if GM is still present. However, I'm sure this is different when one has a complete mastectomy, as mine have been partial. Honestly, one can barely tell, except for the scar(s) that I have - on the original breast is about a 2 inch line horizontal away from the nipple toward my side and maybe 3 inches that intercepts that going vertical. I have yet to see what it will look like on the breast I just had surgery on! For the amount taken on the original breast, it's barely smaller, noticeable to myself and my boyfriend only was able to tell after he had been told... Men. lol
Happy to know that everything went well! And you are OK!
Let's see what happens with my breasts..LOL..Doctor told me that in my left breast GM is all over the place..so no partial mastectomy will work..on mi right breast is very small; just starting..so....
anyways..keep you posted about my boobs next future!
Take care and glad you are OK!
Let's see what happens with my breasts..LOL..Doctor told me that in my left breast GM is all over the place..so no partial mastectomy will work..on mi right breast is very small; just starting..so....
anyways..keep you posted about my boobs next future!
Take care and glad you are OK!
Hi All... Thought I'd give a brief update after my last surgery!
Unfortunately, this side isn't healing as well as the other side did. Although this time, I didn't have drains put in. The incision was to the outside of my areola and tissue from that area and under my nipple was taken. I had stitches from the inside out and steristrips. Needless to say, I have had drainage, more than usual. And have seen my surgeon and nurses since then. I also had a hole right around the surgical site (this is scary to me, since I originally had a lumpectomy and the surgical site never healed thus leading to my diagnosis with GM 5 years ago). Well, today, I noticed, that I have another hole in the same area, a couple CM's down. Been trying to wean off pain meds (oxy - I'm allergic to hydrocodones), but having continual holes appear will probably hinder that. Put a call in to my surgeon today, probably will hear back tomorrow.
Fingers crossed it's just bad healing from surgery (I am a smoker AND was on Prednisone up until surgery - I was on a VERY low dose of steroids up until surgery last time, however, this time around was quickly weaned to a low dosage for surgery) so my surgeon up until now has attributed those to slow healing. Praying it's just that and NOT GM acting up - afterall, the partial was to get rid of it like on the other side!
Unfortunately, this side isn't healing as well as the other side did. Although this time, I didn't have drains put in. The incision was to the outside of my areola and tissue from that area and under my nipple was taken. I had stitches from the inside out and steristrips. Needless to say, I have had drainage, more than usual. And have seen my surgeon and nurses since then. I also had a hole right around the surgical site (this is scary to me, since I originally had a lumpectomy and the surgical site never healed thus leading to my diagnosis with GM 5 years ago). Well, today, I noticed, that I have another hole in the same area, a couple CM's down. Been trying to wean off pain meds (oxy - I'm allergic to hydrocodones), but having continual holes appear will probably hinder that. Put a call in to my surgeon today, probably will hear back tomorrow.
Fingers crossed it's just bad healing from surgery (I am a smoker AND was on Prednisone up until surgery - I was on a VERY low dose of steroids up until surgery last time, however, this time around was quickly weaned to a low dosage for surgery) so my surgeon up until now has attributed those to slow healing. Praying it's just that and NOT GM acting up - afterall, the partial was to get rid of it like on the other side!
Please let us know what the Doctor says!
Everything is going to be be fine!
I have Doctor next week..
Take care!
Everything is going to be be fine!
I have Doctor next week..
Take care!
Wow I had wondered if anyone had been experiencing this for years. I now see that you have. Your story is similar to mine. I feel so relieved. I hope that's not strange! I just feel as though I have been waiting for answers for so long. How long did your doctor wait to determine that mastectomy was the best solution. I am considering this option. It has been just over 5 years for me (I discovered my inverted nipple in 2008 and had my first surgery in 2009).
I am 29 and I was 24 when this started. I guess if I'd like to consider a mastectomy the doctor would also think twice/refuse. Interesting and good to know but I will still try by brining up a partial. I don't know if that is an option for me. I really hope to hear from you soon. Thank you!
All healed, no GM... if history repeats, should stay that way! My breast is still working on reshaping itself from the surgery (there's a slight concave appearance, but that "filled out" in the other breast as time went on).
My issues after surgery were that I somehow/apparently was allergic to the stitches and my body was rejecting them slowly and expelling them...
My issues after surgery were that I somehow/apparently was allergic to the stitches and my body was rejecting them slowly and expelling them...
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