Hi Corky-Blessings to you and yours for a Healthy  '09!
I too am a bc survivor.  I was initially diagnosed in Nov. 06 with IDC on the left breast.  I also opted for a lumpectomy-we initially thought it was not node positive as my first sentinal node turned up negative in the O.R. HOWEVER, (and this is the first time my surgeon OR pathologist had seen this) the remaining two nodes later turned up positive in later testing.  My surgeon told me that the other tests were still being ran but all looked good-just my kind of luck!!  He calls me two days later and gives me the good news (NOT) and that I will need the rest of the nodes removed from that side.  Turned out I had 9 pos. out of 17...long story short, I was EST/PROG. pos., as well as HER2 pos. so I was looking forward to 6 months chemo and as well as a year of Herceptin. Oh and 7 1/2 weeks rads!!
I also had the gen. testing and asked for an onco. type (they usually don't order onco typing if it's a sure thing you'll need chemo) my score was 74-which pretty much guaranteed a recurrence.  BUT NO mutation-your thinking YAY-so was I-but my geneticist went on to say that because I was so young (40 then) and it was so aggressive- that she will definitely be keeping my name in the hat at their weekly meetings as if a new test ever came along that she thought I would benefit from-she would add me to the list.
I finally started becoming comfy with my breasts at the end of my Herceptin treatments-Jan 08.  Well between the end of Jan and middle of March-I had 3 biopsies!!  By April, I had been so anxious and tried of cancer and worried to death-I opted for a bi-lateral mast. which turned out that I had a recurrence on the left side.
I never had recon. and because of the rads, I was told implants are out for my poor skin couldn't handle it.  I seriously need a panni but if I do have one and one day would like the tram...I'm "poop" out of luck!!!  The extra skin on my belly causes me serious back pain already and I've only lost 54 lbs. so far!! 
Sorry for the book but wanted to respond to your initial concern....and to find out what you chose to do.
For me, I don't want anything to do with breasts right now and can't see recon in the future.  However if I had to do it again and weren't so scared and wanting to get those things off me, I guess I'd opt for recon immediately.  Sorry I didn't see your post sooner and offered my opinion.
Blessings!

Hi, Margaret! I am a breast cancer survivor (1+ years).  I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma - Stage 3 in March of 2007.   After chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation concluded, I discussed WLS with my Oncologist.   This, of course, took place after a reasonable amount of time, to which he told me he would support my decision for WLS.  In fact, he consulted with my WLS surgeon during the whole WL process.  

I had Lap Gastric Bypass.  The surgeon required I have some pre-op cancer testing prior to accepting me as a patient.  I had:  ekg, mammogram, Petscan and Catscan.  Everything came back clean (thank you, God!).   So after that, it was full steam ahead.  

I had my WLS on 12/4/08 and I've already got more than 30 lbs. off.

After my WLS, they took me off all my perscription meds, including Tamoxifen for 2 weeks.  This was decided by the surgeon and my Oncologist, who concurrred.  It's better to have nothing to avoid clotting after surgery.  Now I am back on my pills.   

I have had no problems.      

Make sure to keep your Oncologist in the loop with this and your WL surgeon.  They will both work together to make sure the correct steps are taken.  

I have no regrets & am finally looking foward to the spring and summer of 2009!

Well, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  I am 5 months out from a lap RNY and have lost 91 pounds post-op.  My thyroid surgery was done by the same surgeon who did my WLS so I am very comfortable with him.  I guess my fear is that I won't lose any weight while they are trying to figure out the correct dosage of thyroid medication. 

I am also 5 years out from ovarian cancer- so this is deja vu all over again, although treatment for this cancer is easier.

Please send positive thoughts and prayers!

Reenie

For those folks needing more information to make a decision, or those who are mounting a case for surgery with insurance, this article may help:

http://www.asbs.org/html/pdf/soard_featured_article.pdf

I am sending hugs and best wishes to you that everything will be just fine.  You are a survivor, so get mad at that darned dysplasia and I will pray that you will have good results.  Good luck.