POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
Breast Cancer Survivor Needing Help for Some Pain Relief. 60 Year Old. - Portland, OR
ORIGINAL POST
My history with large breasts go back many years. ...
WORTH IT$15,000
My history with large breasts go back many years. I started wearing a bra when I was 9 and by the time I was in high school I was a 36 DD. I was into sports and hiking. I bound them when I was playing softball because I was teased that I would give myself a bloody nose when I ran. I have had neck and shoulder issues since high school. I have 2 children, nursed them both. I thought I was a 40 DD until just last week when I used the measurement calculations that put me at a 44 G.
3 years ago, I found out I had breast cancer and decided to have a lumpectomy, 2nd surgery for the margin clearing and Radiation. Chemo wouldn't help.. Since the radiation, I have bad nerve pain under the breast. I was burned from radiation treatment and the spot under the breast, where a bra usually sits, has the worst nerve pain. Bras are pretty much out. [I also ended up with another lumpectomy 1 year after the first surgery (no cancer but no drain was used) I ended up with a 4th surgery to remove a seroma that wouldn't heal.. That surgery, they put a drain in and I have had no problem with healing.]
At this point. I wear compression tanks or a binder to help stop the movement. When I just walk for exercise, I keel over, the pain gets so bad. I have had pain management work-ups, mammograms, ultrasounds to see what causes the pain and nothing has been found, just the thickening from the surgeries and radiation. Was told the first year that it was from the radiation and SHOULD subside. Well, it didn't. I have been through pain management (full circle 3 times). At this point, I realize that pain is going to stick around. I have been working with an acupuncturist for the last 5 months and through her treatment, I have realized that she can lessen the pain. One problem.. the pain subsides only to come back when my large breast start moving. So, I asked my primary doctor, my pain management doctor and my acupuncturist if they thought a reduction might help. They are all in agreement that 'Possibly" if I was to have a reduction, the smaller breast would be less movement and might help the nerve pain to lessen but better than that - it could also help my neck, shoulder and clavicle pain I have had since before the Breast Cancer.
That brings me to here.. I started researching the possibilities of breast reduction. I have my first consult with a certified plastic surgeon, Dr Shane C. Kim, that does alot of reconstructive-type surgeries. He also does Breast reductions. He did my friends reconstruction and she is doing quite well. After getting a few referrals, I decided to get an appointment with him October 13th.. The paperwork the office sent me, is very thorough.. Have it filled out and almost ready to go.
A bit nervous, but also think there are other benefits to the reduction - less tissue means less chance for a recurrence with the BC? I'm weighing all the pros and cons.. The pros are winning.
3 years ago, I found out I had breast cancer and decided to have a lumpectomy, 2nd surgery for the margin clearing and Radiation. Chemo wouldn't help.. Since the radiation, I have bad nerve pain under the breast. I was burned from radiation treatment and the spot under the breast, where a bra usually sits, has the worst nerve pain. Bras are pretty much out. [I also ended up with another lumpectomy 1 year after the first surgery (no cancer but no drain was used) I ended up with a 4th surgery to remove a seroma that wouldn't heal.. That surgery, they put a drain in and I have had no problem with healing.]
At this point. I wear compression tanks or a binder to help stop the movement. When I just walk for exercise, I keel over, the pain gets so bad. I have had pain management work-ups, mammograms, ultrasounds to see what causes the pain and nothing has been found, just the thickening from the surgeries and radiation. Was told the first year that it was from the radiation and SHOULD subside. Well, it didn't. I have been through pain management (full circle 3 times). At this point, I realize that pain is going to stick around. I have been working with an acupuncturist for the last 5 months and through her treatment, I have realized that she can lessen the pain. One problem.. the pain subsides only to come back when my large breast start moving. So, I asked my primary doctor, my pain management doctor and my acupuncturist if they thought a reduction might help. They are all in agreement that 'Possibly" if I was to have a reduction, the smaller breast would be less movement and might help the nerve pain to lessen but better than that - it could also help my neck, shoulder and clavicle pain I have had since before the Breast Cancer.
That brings me to here.. I started researching the possibilities of breast reduction. I have my first consult with a certified plastic surgeon, Dr Shane C. Kim, that does alot of reconstructive-type surgeries. He also does Breast reductions. He did my friends reconstruction and she is doing quite well. After getting a few referrals, I decided to get an appointment with him October 13th.. The paperwork the office sent me, is very thorough.. Have it filled out and almost ready to go.
A bit nervous, but also think there are other benefits to the reduction - less tissue means less chance for a recurrence with the BC? I'm weighing all the pros and cons.. The pros are winning.
GmaFoley's provider
UPDATED FROM GmaFoley
3 months pre
Side View pictures of the breast now.
Just wanted to add a few photos of the side views of my breasts now, as a baseline for what is ahead.
Replies (5)
October 21, 2014
Thank you for updating your review with photos, how are you doing?
October 21, 2014
I'm in the wait mode - PS should have put in the request and insurance should be reviewing it this week. I have been in acupuncture for 5 months for the breast nerve damage and the neck and shoulder pain. Problem is - she gets the pain relieved only for it to come back with any movement. I move anyway.. not the type to be a couch potato.. After reading here, I know I want to do this either way, insurance or not.. Just praying for insurance to cover.
October 21, 2014
Stay strong, I can't even imagine how emotionally draining and frustrating this must be for you. I am sending you some happy and healing thoughts. Take care :)
January 22, 2015
I'm sharing your frustration this is my second denial. The first time the didn't state why they denied me. This time they said this was not covered by my insurance BCBS of Louisiana my condition is medically necessary. I'm not giving up I'm in the process of appealing my denial. Good luck I pray that you get approved soon.
January 22, 2015
It sadden me to see how much pain you have endured. I'm so glad that they approved your procedur! I just received another denial on yesterday but, I refuse to give up! I have BCBS of Louisiana they stated that breast reductions are excluded from my coverage however my breast reduction is medically necessary. So much for me I pray you continue to heal and I will be praying for you.
UPDATED FROM GmaFoley
3 months pre
Forgot about one important possible complication.
I have lymphedema in the torso and upper arms. It has been mild with only a few flares in the past 3 years. I am not sure how this will complicate matters, but I would still like to do the reduction.
Replies (13)
September 29, 2014
An interesting and challenging situation with specialist questions that probably only your surgeon can answer. I expect you have had at least passing thoughts of elective mastectomy and reconstruction ?
September 29, 2014
I have wanted a mastectomy for the past 2 years, but my surgeon in town poo-poos the idea. Says he will discuss it with me, but then says no. It can make the pain worse. As far as reconstruction, at this point in my life, I probably wouldn't bother.. Time and money tells me its probably not worth it.. I still think about it. I am still thinking and my lymphedema therapist and primary thinks the less invasive way to go would be a Reduction. I just hope I can get some answers and help soon... Pain kind of wears on you after a while.
September 29, 2014
you poor thing, i have not shared your experiences but I did think the mastectomy option would have been considered. How easy is it for you to get a second opinion???
September 29, 2014
You might come up with a list of questions about this and put it on the Dr's page for answers. Did you know there is a separate Q&A for the Dr.s here? Usually the answers are are along the lines of "we can't blah blah without an examination work with your Dr." but sometimes they bring up a point or two. I would also consider a second opinion with a different Dr.
September 29, 2014
I have asked a few questions there and they so far told me the reduction can be done but the doctor has to be very careful about blood flow.. I need to look for a certified PS that does alot of reconstruction.. Dr. Kim does have that.. so we shall see what he says.
September 29, 2014
I would certainly ask your Dr. about whether less/tissue = lower chance of cancer reoccurring. Did anyone ever discuss this when you were first diagnosed? Only you can make this decision based on your Dr input. Anything that would reduce the chance of the cancer would be a big deal to me i suspect we don't hear of it more as with a reduction you would still need chemo and or radiation as with a lumpectomy. If the Dr's said pain reduction was "possible" I think the 2nd question would be - or could it also get worse? If the radiation caused the damage, what do they think is causing the pain? Nerve damage or something? Sound to me like avoiding any more radiation (i.e. cancer) would be a good thing (sort of obvious but I mean because you seem to have had a reaction to it) 3rd question (for me anyway), would a masectomy get rid of the pain or is all this not really because of breast tissue at at all? Personally at 58 I am no longer particularly attached to my breasts. I'm personally past needing to be seen as sexy or any of that. If my breasts were causing me pain and could reoccur with cancer and getting rid of them meant no pain no cancer I'd go that route. But we are all different and that's ok. But I wonder if breast tissue is actually involved in the pain, other than the more common back shoulder kind of issues. Good luck to you, keep thinking and ask lots of questions.
September 29, 2014
I was lucky that I didn't need chemo. They gave me full dose radiation and hit the lymph nodes too. Even if I was to have more cancer, we couldn't do anymore radiation on that side. I have been reading that now, they do reductions on large breasted women before radiation so they don't burn as bad.
As far as choices or discussion when first diagnosed - the docs downplayed the seriousness of my cancer and said lumpectomy and radiation would take care of it. Wasn't given an option at that time for a mastectomy. But further discussion after all was done - it is nerve damage, and a mastectomy would probably make the pain worse. I have accepted the fact the pain will be there no matter what procedure is done, but if I could less the pain by lessening the weight of the breast on that area.... ?? Being I have had 4 surgeries on that breast, I was hoping for the least invasive - hence the Breast Reduction instead of mastectomy.. but that is the reason for the consult. Plus the neck, sternum, shoulder and clavicle pain.
The can't seem to figure out what is causing the pain.. The just say its nerve damage..
September 29, 2014
Is breast reduction easier/less invasive than masectomy? IDK. I sort of thought if they didn't take the lymph nodes or something it would be about the same? Another question for a post to the Dr.s here on realself. You meed more details.
September 29, 2014
That is what I was told because with a breast reduction the doctor doesn't cut into muscle where with a mastectomy the do..
October 4, 2014
BTW I asked that question for us... Hoping the docs will give us some good input about it.
September 29, 2014
I am sorry for all that you have been through. I can't even imagine the pain you go through. I am hoping this reduction will fix the issue so you can finally have comfort. Keep us up to date.
Replies (7)