I had a lumpectomy, then reexcision of same breast ten days later, without a clear margin and also in my first node. So after Chemo, I chose BMX over just single becuase I never want to deal with this again in my life! I breastfed two children and thought I would be so distraught over losing my nipples. It took me a week to look post op. Now I dont even really care that I a nipple-less! I am happlily anticipating my next surgery to remove TE's and have implants in their place (never thought I would say that!) Look like this and I am ok with it! (~) (-)

I had lumpectomy then mastectomy with removal of nipple. I did have skin sparing surgery. The plastic surgeon put an implant in the same day and rebuilt my nipple out of the small amount of areola that was left. It looks beautiful, better than my original breast.

Initially my treatment plan was lumpectomy and radiation. Pathology came back no clear margins. I was given the choice of returning to the OR to take more tissue or prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I chose mastectomy. I don't regret it.

I had a lumpectomy and because of unclear margins I had a unilateral mastectomy. It's very hard to achieve symmetry with a unilateral. I went nipple less for 6 months and had nipple reconstruction. I was kind of getting used to it. After one of the revisions it ended up too high. Started all over and had a lat flap and another reconstructed nipple. After 3 1/2 from diagnosis I finally got my tattoo today. Yeah!
I could have kept my nipple with the mastectomy but chose to have it removed because my tumor was so close to it. I didn't have it removed with the original lumpectomy however.
Something I learned about reconstructed breast if you're skin is numb- don't rest a cup of hot tea against it. You'll end up with a blister due to a 2nd degree burn :(

I doubt this answers your question. Only you and your doctor knows the answer. Hopefully some of it was useful information, although everyone's experience is different.

@A MyBCTeam Member. I am having a reduction to make my untreated one match. Insurance has to cover it. It is a federal law since 1998. I don't know if you are interested, but I wanted to let you know. I can't wear a bra because the size difference pulls to the big side and causes muscle spasms across my back.

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