Hi Twinmum81 

Sorry to hear that your surgery plans keep changing, it seems to be the way it goes for a lot of people. I had therapeutic mammoplasty on right breast and 4 sentinel nodes removed and reduction of left breast in January. My tumour was originally 22mm, grade 2. After surgery it was 43mm and grade 3 with one sentinel node having some tiny isolated tumour cells.  There wasn't enough clear margins at one area so I had to have a 2nd surgery just over 2 weeks ago. I wasn't expecting this as had gone from a 34H to approximately 34DD, luckily there are now clear margins and no obvious difference in breast shape.  I'm still happy with my decision to get the reduction.

I've had an Oncotype test done ( due to tumour being grade 3 and one sentinel node with some cells ) . I have an appointment with Oncologist in 2 weeks to discuss result of test and the next steps.  I'm still hopeful it will just be radiotherapy and hormone therapy as I don't even want to think about chemo. 

When the surgeon told me she needed better margins I thought the worst but she was confident that I wouldn't need a mastectomy.   Try not to worry too much ( easier said than done I know).  The waiting between the appointments and the results is the worst part.  I hope you get on well with your upcoming surgery. x

Thank you for your reply. Great you are happy with your decision and I hope everything goes your way with further treatment. 

I now have a surgery date for the 16th and hopefully I'll get clear margins so we can go ahead with the reduction. I'm a 36GG so lucky in that way that there is still breast to work with. 

Can I ask what Bra did you use for after surgery and how many weeks between both surgeries? 

Trying my best not to stress too much. Feeling better now all the biopsies are done and I've got a date. 

Hi Twinmum81 

Im also in Lanarkshire, I asked about bras & if one would be supplied since I wouldn’t know what size to buy. The surgeon had said she was aiming for 34D or DD. I happened to have a sports bra that was too small for me  ( I probably last wore it 7-8 years ago)   think it was a 36F which actually fit quite well, remember you will be swollen for a week or so. 

I made a mistake in my last message re dates of surgeries, first one was 13th Jan & second one on 10th Feb, so exactly 4 weeks between them. After first op I had an appointment with surgeon 12 days later for results & was given the second surgery date then.  I’m now finished seeing surgeon until about a year from now for a check up. I’ve just to manage the wounds myself or call the breast nurse if I’ve any concerns. 

Your nurse was right about the magseeds, seems they’re about £200 each, the Radiologist wasted 2 trying to put mine in .. 

I hope your surgery goes to plan, it will fly in now you have a date. Best wishes.x

Oh are you? How have you found it. I think there has been a slight lack in communication but it's probably to do with them working between 3 hospitals. My original surgery was cancelled then I got a call asking why I hadn't had my covid test then getting a call to ask how I felt after surgery. Turning up for markers twice and getting more biopsies without warning. 

Thanks for all the information regarding bras and time scale. I'm getting away ahead of myself thinking of my second surgery before I've even had my first. 

What surgeon did you have? Xx

Youre welcome, I've found it's all gone fairly smoothly,  but you're right working between 3 sites is a challenge. I've had some last minute calls to go for a second biopsy ( was a begnin lesion) then different hospital for covid swab and ecg/bloods etc. Then surgery at the other one.  You need a diary to keep track of it all.

Don't get ahead of yourself, I thought one surgery would be it but my tumour grew so hence the second surgery.  It was all removed originally but the margins needed to be bigger. 

I'm now onto the next stage & I'm hoping that goes smoothly too. x 

Most of my appointments have been at a hospital which is close by for me but I was allocated a nurse I'd never met from another hospital but one of the nurses at the original hospital has now taken me over because I've seen her loads. I need to go to the other hospital for my dye injection then to a different hospital for the op. 

I trying to take one day at a time but I'm an overthinking worrier. 

Oops I asked about surgeon then thought that's probably not allowed. So sorry for asking that. 

No problem at all, I wrote that I didn't think it was allowed but mentioned her name anyway, it was edited lol. 
It sounds like your appointments have been very similar to mine & I know where you mean.  It must be the way it all works. 
I was pretty anxious to begin with too, the worst part is leading up to the surgery & waiting on the results. It's out of your control & if you're like me you'll want to know every little detail.

Try not to worry as it will stress you out. I've found that trying to concentrate on eating well, getting some exercise (although I have to be careful just now helps). It does get easier as you work through your treatments.

I tried to add you as a friend so I could tell you the surgeon I had but it said you couldn't be found !
There are 2 at that particular hospital, mine was the younger one, both very good though. You'll be in capable hands. Good luck for the 16th.x

There I go again writing names of hospitals ‍♀️ 

That's my magseeds in although I fainted. Lol. Jyst waiting on surgery now. Hopefully nothing will get in the way this time. 

I've gave up going to my bootcamp classes but been trying to walk most days but I can't stop stress eating. 

Yeah I feel confident with my consultant. Bring it on! 

There I go again writing names of hospitals ‍♀️ 

That's my magseeds in although I fainted. Lol. Jyst waiting on surgery now. Hopefully nothing will get in the way this time. 

I've gave up going to my bootcamp classes but been trying to walk most days but I can't stop stress eating. 

Yeah I feel confident with my consultant. Bring it on! 

Aww that's a shame but no wonder with all the poking and prodding. But you're now one step closer to your surgery.  The good news is that the radioactive injection the day before your op is quick and I didn't find it sore. 

If you're going to look at getting a sports bra ( I know you still have to go over it all with the nurse) it might be an idea to get something with a deep band. As I'm healing I feel like I need to keep pulling the bra down from the crease under my boobs. I bought some soft cotton non wired bras but even these are cutting in a bit. I'm going to have a look at some pull on crop types now that I can lift my arms up easily. 

You can get back into exercise when you're able, rest and look after yourself in the meantime. 

Will hear how it all goes for you. x