If given the choice of a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, which would you choose? What is the recovery like?

I've been diagnosed with breast cancer in the left side. I'm waiting for biopsy reports from the right side. The surgeon said we would discuss the choices once the biopsy came back....I need some first hand advice....If surgery was next week, would I be able to go on a pre-planned vacation by the end of June?

This all depends on your stage of cancer and if you have lumps in one of more spots in the breast. Of course lumpectomy is preferable but it may not benefit you long term. If you have a mastectomy with reconstructive surgery, they will insert skin expanders to make room for an implant and I think you have to have that in for a few months. I've had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal and that recovery isn't too bad, I was sore and couldn't do any lifting. Mastectomy requires more recovery time but from what I've witnessed you can be up and around within a two weeks. But everyone is different.

As far as vacation goes, surgery may not stop you but if you are prescribed chemo and radiation that might.

My advice at this point would be to hope for the best and wait and see what your doctor has to say. There are many factors they weight in deciding your course of recovery.

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