female only Mammogram issues!

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Last month I went in for my every-third-year mammogram. A couple of weeks later, I got a call from the Breast Center telling me there were "technical problems" with my mammogram and I needed to get it re-done. So, back I went this afternoon, and learned that:

1) I had told them last month that I hadn't had any significant weight loss . . . I guess I was just thinking 'recently, no' rather than comparing myself to three years ago. And actually I have lost about 160 lbs since August 2013, I just don't really think about things that way anymore. So they were not convinced, comparing the two mammograms, that the same person had showed up in August 2016 to get her breasts smashed in the giant waffle Iron as had been there in August 2013.

2) The August 2016 mammograms were also basically useless because I had so much loose skin on my breasts and upper torso folded and mashed up that they couldn't see a lot of what they needed to see. So the mammogram tech lady had to spend a lot of time this afternoon pulling and smoothing my skin to make sure they could see properly in the images. Something you may need to warn your future mammogram techs about!

Edited September 7, 2016 by Bufflehead

[Djmohr 6,965]

I hate that damn waffle Iron. It hurts more now to me too! Wonder what it will be like after implants.

[chycky 671]

Ow ouch and pain just thinking of this!

I was told that when I go (which I am working up to soon-ish) that I should have them do the higher quality image that will not be covered but only cost me about $50 as it could help prevent a second visit when they have to do the higher quality image to see what they couldn't on first film. Just wanted to share in case helpful to others and obviously it makes no sense but to me neither does smashing breasts between plates.

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

Thanks for the heads up! Hard to imagine mammograms being worse than they currently are, but sounds like it's likely.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

@@Bufflehead, that's a great tip, but your topic headline scared me. So glad it wasn't what I first thought.

I hate that damn waffle Iron. It hurts more now to me too! Wonder what it will be like after implants.

Don't get the glass implants.

[freelee 128]

Thanks for the information. I, too, am due and have lost 140 lbs. I will remember to check on all of this when I go.

[FrankyG 1,450]

I've got my yearly mammogram coming up in October (breast cancer awareness month - most places give you little gifts for coming in during that time!).

Thanks for posting this. I might have said something in passing, but didn't realize it is very important to tell them a significant amount was lost since the last one so the skin might be an issue.

[heidikat72 935]

Good advice, I just got mine right before surgery so I'm good for a while. I would recommend finding a center that has the newer 3D mammography equipment. It provides much clearer images and less chance for a call back. Most hospitals/clinics are switching over their old equipment to the newer so it shouldn't be hard to find.

[ocgirl15 667]

Thanks for the info! I will be going soon... 40ddd to 34d is quite a difference for me. I certainly don't want to do that twice!

[The Candidate 3,215]

Thanks for the info! I had mine done last month. I have gotten them yearly since I was 39, as my mother had breast cancer so I'm considered at a higher risk.

I knew going in that massive weight loss can be seen as a breast cancer warning sign so I was prepared for that. But I've been experiencing something else that I never even knew existed before, and I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen.

I went in for a plastic surgery consult in early August when I was 13 months out. I was primarily interested in a breast reduction and lift. BTW, this is the same surgeon who did my mother's breast reconstruction after her mastectomy. And his first comment upon examining me was "How long have your nipples been inverted?" I looked down and sure enough, there they were: hiding, looking like groundhogs stubbornly not coming out of their burrows on Groundhog Day. Or more accurately, like two innie belly buttons. I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I'd never even noticed. I could only tell him for sure that they hadn't been that way before surgery and a 118 pound weight loss.

So I did some research and found out that they could possibly be indicative of breast cancer, or a result of rapid weight loss. So I had my mammogram done a few weeks later where I was sure to mention this new development. I'm happy to report that I got the all clear, so that was a relief.

Also in my research I found that there is actually a plastic surgery procedure to make them outies again, but I'm not sure I'm going to add that on to what I've already planned, given the extra cost. They don't bother me, so maybe I'll just see if I can coax them out on my own, maybe with a sexy bra bribe. ????

[Rebecca Friesen 80]

I am a mammo tech and you are exactly correct!! Large weight loss changes so much and the person reading your films will need to know. Weightloss changes the density of your breasts.

***and a friendly reminder to do a quick wipe under your breasts before the exam. I did a mammo once and when I lifted the breast a few riceckrispies fell onto the machine :-). Unless you want the tech to know what you just ate lol.

[OzRoo 1,492]

Thanks for the info, I am due for one soon, so I will tell re weight loss, although 3 years ago I was normal weight.

After my 2 year obesity problem, then losing lot of weight, my boobs are definitely flatter.

I hate that waffle Iron too! They squeeze so much, and when I think my boobs can't be squeezed anymore, yep, they get squeezed more. So painful!

Edited September 8, 2016 by krakow57

[siera63 94]

As a stage 2 breast cancer survivor (5 years Nov 30!)...

Mammograms are incredibly important!

But don't forget ladies and gentlemen too, self checks are equally important! Men have about a 20% chance. Women are 1 in 8.

A quick once over in the shower or a 'fondling while knoodling with your honey' is important too.

These self discoveries find abnormalities more often then mammo monster machines.

My cancer was not detected at all in a 3d scan 3 months prior to me finding a half golf ball size lump.

Please, please schedule a mammo today!

That is all. I'm stepping off my soap box now! We now return to regular blogging.

Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

[Aggiemae 739]

My breasts are very dense so they can't see image the sides. Our clinic does ultrasounds. Ask for one. I don't think the cost is different.

[bigperm 16]

lol I'm a Mammo tech too!! had to comment I love this post

I get alot of large ladies and alot of post op weight loss ladies and alot of implants and reductions (if you hate Mammos now your gonna hate it twice as much after implants it's twice the exam! just something to think about - but really it's over fairly quickly and most of us go only once a yr...) --- I can usually tell if someone has lost alot of weight but do tell if no one asks and if it makes you feel better it's easier on us larger ladies then the smaller ladies if you can get a 3D exam in your area get it, it's way better.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

Edited November 8, 2016 by bigperm