breast reconstruction after lumpectomy

[tink4dali]

I just had a double lumpectomy on my left breast. They found there to be no cancer. (which is great news). However, I now have a horrible 3-4 in  scar from the surgery, which has left my breast disformed and ugly.  Do I qualify for breast reconstruction to fix my breast, and make them uniform again, and will my insurance cover it?  ( My husband is active duty military, so I have full military insurance.)
Thanks for the input.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear tink4dali:  A plastic surgeon would be the correct individual to evaluate what might be done to correct the deformity in your breast.  You should be sure you see surgeons that do breast reconstruction regularly.  Regarding your insurance, this would be a matter that will have to be discussed with them.  The plastic surgeon may have some experience with whether your situation typically qualify for reconstruction reimbursement.

[Marylou_II]

First of all I am not a doctor but a one time primary cancer patient and I was told I had a second one which was supposed to be BC, I had a radical mastectomy but I did not have BC never the lessso I know how horrible scars are and how depressive it is to have to see it every single day.

Why did you have a double lumpectomy? Couldn't the surgeon have done a surgical biopsy, withdrawn the suspicious tissue, accommodate the gland in order to avoid the empty spots and leave your breast looking absolutely normal until your pathology report was ready? By then you would have known you did not have cancer and that was it for you but without those terrible looking deformities. Ask your doctor what I have just said but listen well and keep on asking until you obtain a satisfactory answer, I don't believe there is one I personally believe your doctor made a terrible mistake.

Regarding the reconstruction, go to a good plastic surgeon and ask him how he would reconstruct your left breast, see at least three of them and compare the procedures. Which ever of the the plastic surgeons is the best will avoid leaving a horrible big scar over your stomach. There are a few options for said reconstruction and the least cutting and scaring is the best.

Don't trust anyone with your body, ask them to draw how the procedure would be and then on your own or with your husband make up your mind. The insurance should cover your reconstruction, you are not doing it for beauty reasons but because you have been left with a deformity.

Good luck.