Reviewed by
Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan MCh Surgical Oncology (Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai), Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. For most patients, the first feeling is fear — fear of the unknown, fear of surgery, and fear of what life might look like after treatment. In moments like these, hearing from someone who has already walked that path can make all the difference.
At Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, patients from across Punjab including Chandigarh, Patiala, Ludhiana, and surrounding regions have undergone breast cancer surgery under the care of Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan, a Consultant Surgical Oncologist trained at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Their stories are not just about survival. They are about clarity, courage, and coming back to life.
This blog brings together real patient experiences shared with consent to help you or your loved one understand what breast cancer surgery actually feels like from the inside.
Simran was 42 when she noticed a lump in her left breast during a routine self-examination. Her family doctor referred her to Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan at Max Hospital, Mohali. She was diagnosed with early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma.
"I had heard so many scary things about cancer surgery. But when Dr. Chauhan explained my diagnosis and the surgical options step by step, I understood exactly what was going to happen and why. He didn't rush me. He gave me time to ask questions."
Simran underwent breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), followed by radiation therapy coordinated through the multidisciplinary team. She returned to her teaching job within eight weeks.
"Today, two years later, I am cancer-free. I feel like myself again. I would tell every woman — please don't delay. Get checked, get treated."
Her experience reflects a key principle at Dr. Chauhan's practice: every patient deserves to understand her own diagnosis before consenting to any procedure.
Kavita, a retired school principal from Chandigarh, was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. Given her age and preference for a faster recovery, her case was evaluated for robotic-assisted surgery.
"I was worried I would be in the hospital for weeks. Instead, I was home in four days. The incisions were small, the pain was manageable, and I was walking around my house within a week."
Robotic and laparoscopic techniques, where appropriate, are a core part of Dr. Chauhan's surgical approach. These minimally invasive methods can lead to less blood loss, smaller scars, reduced post-operative pain, and faster return to daily activities — particularly in suitable candidates.
"Dr. Chauhan explained that robotic surgery was an option for me and why it suited my case. That kind of personalized explanation gave me confidence. I didn't feel like just another patient."
Kavita completed her adjuvant chemotherapy and is now in regular follow-up, showing no signs of recurrence at 18 months.
Want to understand robotic surgery better? - Read: Guide to Robotic Cancer Surgery: Benefits, Risks, and Recovery Explained
Gurpreet was among the youngest patients in this series, only 38 years old, with triple-negative breast cancer, one of the more aggressive subtypes. She travelled from Ludhiana to Mohali after her oncologist recommended Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan specifically for her complex case.
"Triple-negative breast cancer is known to be harder to treat. I was scared. But Dr. Chauhan had handled cases like mine before. That experience showed — in the way he talked, the way he planned, the way he explained."
Her surgery involved modified radical mastectomy followed by immediate reconstruction planning. Her case was presented before the multidisciplinary tumor board, which included medical and radiation oncology teams.
"I had complete clarity at every step: the surgery, the chemotherapy plan, the follow-up schedule. Nothing was hidden from me. That transparency was what I needed most."
Gurpreet completed treatment and returned to her work as a pharmacist. She now volunteers with a local cancer awareness group in Ludhiana.
Older patients often worry more — about surgical risk, about tolerance for treatment, about recovery time. Manjeet, 63, from Patiala, had hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and several comorbidities including controlled hypertension and diabetes.
"At my age, I thought surgery would be very risky. But after the pre-operative evaluation, Dr. Chauhan told me clearly what the risks were and how they would be managed. That honesty helped me make my decision."
Pre-operative optimisation, careful patient selection, and evidence-based surgical planning are standard in Dr. Chauhan's approach. Each case regardless of age — is assessed individually through imaging, pathology, and clinical evaluation.
"My surgery went well. I recovered at a pace that surprised even my family. Now I go for my follow-up every three months. And I feel well."
Manjeet's case is a reminder that age alone is not a barrier to good surgical outcomes when the clinical approach is properly structured.
Preparing for surgery? Read: Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for Cancer Surgery (Before, During & After Admission)
Across all four patients — different ages, different cities, different subtypes of breast cancer — several themes appear consistently:
Clear communication before surgery. Each patient described being fully informed about her diagnosis, surgical options, and expected outcomes before any decision was made. This aligns with MCI guidelines on informed consent and patient autonomy.
Multidisciplinary planning. No case was managed by onMultidisciplinary planning.e doctor alone. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and reconstruction were coordinated through tumor board discussions — the standard of care at a tertiary oncology centre.
Minimally invasive options where appropriate. Robotic and laparoscopic techniques were considered for suitable candidates, with surgical decisions based on tumor stage, patient fitness, and clinical guidelines — not convenience.
Respect for the patient's pace. Every patient mentioned that they were given time to ask questions, to decide, to process the diagnosis. This is not incidental. It is part of how Dr. Chauhan runs his practice.
Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan, one of the experienced oncologists in Punjab, manages the full spectrum of breast cancer surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali. This includes:
Beyond breast cancer, Dr. Chauhan's practice covers a wide range of surgical oncology, including colorectal cancers, gynecological malignancies, endocrine malignancies (such as thyroid and adrenal cancers), urological malignancies, and head & neck cancers. Each condition is managed using the same evidence-based, multidisciplinary framework.
Curious about the full treatment journey? Read: How to Choose the Right Cancer Treatment Based on Stage (Surgery vs Chemo vs Targeted Therapy)
If you found this helpful, these blogs from Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan's resource library may also support your journey:
The four stories shared here from Mohali, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Patiala represent what cancer surgery can look like when it is approached with clinical precision, honest communication, and genuine respect for the patient.
Breast cancer surgery is not a single procedure. It is a carefully planned intervention within a broader treatment journey. And that journey, as these patients show, can lead to full recovery, restored confidence, and a return to ordinary life
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is looking for a Surgical Oncologist in Punjab, Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan is available for consultation at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali.
The patient testimonials shared in this blog are based on individual experiences and have been published with consent. Names have been changed to protect patient privacy in accordance with applicable guidelines. Patient outcomes vary depending on cancer type, stage, overall health, and treatment plan. This content is intended for general awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified surgical oncologist for personalised diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan's practice follows guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and evidence-based oncology protocols.
Dr. Lovedeep Singh Chauhan is a Consultant in Surgical Oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali (2023–present). He has received advanced training in cancer surgery from leading national institutes and has academic, clinical, and research experience across multiple subspecialties of surgical oncology.