Hi, sorry I can't answer your questions but I've just had a referral today for nipple discharge from my right breast since September. I'm 30 and have a 2 year old son so obviously panicking. I also have a nagging pain under my right armpit on and off. I have no idea what to expect. Hopefully you get some answers to your questions. 

Hi,  thanks for sharing....you've done the right thing getting it looked at and hopefully the referral will put your mind at rest. 

Have you got an appointment date yet?

My experience in the whole process is that they are really quick and efficient at getting you seen to and that makes a real difference especially when you cant help but worry.

Im not sure if you've been for an appointment before or what  they intend to do at yours, but I had a referral a couple of years back, so that prepared me and knew what to expect.

I had a consultation, a physical exam, a mammogram and an ultrasound. All were painless - the mammogram was a little uncomfortable but not sore for me. 

My advice is dont wear a dress like i did first time !!!  I just never thought! I went to the appt straight from work and it just wasn't practical.  Wear something comfortable that you can easily change in and out of and its one less thing to worry about on the day! 

Hope it all goes well for you x

Thank you for your reply, I was referred yesterday so not sure how long I'll wait for an appointment, the dr did mention around 2 weeks. 

My mum had breast cancer at the age of 43 and has just passed her 5 years remission but her eldest sister passed away from it so I'm super nervous, especially with having a toddler as well. 

Thank you so much for giving me some information. I hope all goes well for you too and I hope you get some answers to your questions. X

Hi Bambi,

I've just found out that I'm going to be having a total duct excision in the very near future and I have the same questions you did. I know I shouldn't be concerned about vanity but I am absolutely feeling very insecure about how I will look after this procedure, I'm 41 and newly married. My surgeon is doing a radial cut from the nipple rather than around my areola as he says there is less risk to blood supply that way and I'm not sure if anyone has had it done this way, all the photos I can find on the internet seem to be around the areola. I'd really value any info you would be willing to share. Thank you!

Hi DanaMarie...sorry to hear you are needing this done but a few months later I can honestly say it has healed amazingly and you would never know it had been done. I also have normal feeling in my nipple and didnt need any fillers for the loss of volume in the boob.  It seems to have sorted itself all out nicely.

Its a big old operation and I really did underestimate how much it would wipe me out but if you rest, do what they tell you and let everyone else help you out, it really does help. 

It takes a while to heal and i did have an infection in the wound, but its all fine now...i broke my arm soon afterwards though and thats been a much worse experience for me in terms of pain and healing.

Id recommend very comfy and easy to get into clothes for the first wee while...it is uncomfortable but take the painkillers and don't skip any!

Anymore questions just ask xx

Tha is for sharing your experience.

I've been told this week that I need to have a total duct excision.

Could you please tell me if you had any other tests before the surgery?

I had a mammogram and scan done where they didn't find anything back in March 2020, pre lockdown and I now I've been told to have a surgery but they won't run any tests before the surgery. I'm feeling quite insecure as I had covid last year and since then Im out of breath every time and I noticed that my body has changed.

Thanks

Hi, just seeing your question from a long time ago about breast excision.  No one seemed to answer you if breast looks less full / if it shows after the op. I'm assuming it must do? Can you let me know please? I'm due to have the op in 3 weeks time and just want to be prepared what to expect.

Thank you.

Hi

I had the total duct excision at the beginning of September.  Its quite unbelievable because I expected to be in a lot of pain and I wasn't at all. I took paracetamol for the first couple of days because the surgeon told me too so I was waiting for pain but it just didn't happen so I stopped taking them.

The dressing was waterproof so I could still shower. That started to come off after about 8 or 9 days.  I got my results about 3 weeks later and it was not cancer!  I cried more at the results than I did when I was told I may have cancer as it was such a shock.  I am high risk as have 5 close family memebers who have all had ductal cancer - however, ALL are survivors.  So, I really really hope your outcome is the same and it is not cancer, but if it is please be positive.

As for how the breast looks, it's amazing, it really doesn't look any different other than I have a scar around the nipple.  It's hardly noticeable and they said after 6 months I'll have a job to even see the scar.

I was off work for 3 weeks and that was only because I have a physical job working with children and I could be knocked etc.  the surgeon didn't want me to return until they'd checked the wound.  Obviously you can't lift for a while, look after yourself and you'll recover so quickly.

Please feel free to ask me any questions at all because I was so grateful to get responses from people.  I'm happy to answer anything.

If I don't hear back, good luck, you will be fine.

Michelle x  

Hi Michelle,

Thanks so much for your reply and all your really useful advice. It's so good to be able to chat to someone who has been through this and can provide answers to my questions. I really appreciate you taking the time to get back to me, thank you.

I'm glad you're okay and all went well for you, that's the best news.

Your reply has really reassured me and I feel so much more informed and understanding of what to expect now, thank you. I just had so many questions that I couldn't ask on the assessment day as my mind went blank and I couldn't think it through on the spot. That was over a week ago now and I think it's only just sinking in. 

Thank you.