Reconstruction

Hi

I was passing and noticed that you hadn't had any replies to your post yet. This is likely to be because the group is so busy your post has quickly disappeared down the page! By replying to you it will 'bump' it back to the top of page 1 where hopefully it'll be seen.

All the best with whatever you decide to do.

x

I went for reconstruction discussion yesterday.   I had mastectomy July 19 followed by Radiotherapy which ended mid October 19.

As I can’t have an implant due to the radiotherapy my only option really is the Tram/Diep surgery. I was told that it involves at least 5 days stay in hospital followed by 6 weeks of no activity . That it will take up to 12 weeks recovery. I have to wait till October for the surgery due to the radiotherapy but have been told that it’s at least a 4 month waiting list anyway. Can’t say I’m happy about the wait as I hate the way I look at present but there’s nothing I can do about it , so hayho I’ll have to wait !

Hi

I recently had an implant reconstruction as well as 15 sessions of radiotherapy so an implant is an option. For me I didn’t want to have another area of my body that was wounded so chose the implant route.

I think it’s great and looks very natural. I also had the other breast reduced and lifted to match my new one.

The only thing I don’t have yet is a nipple. I haven’t decided if I’ll have further surgery to do this.

I recovered really quickly and am happy with the results.

Hope this helps.

Hi ,

I too had an implant (permanent one) at the time of mx (no node involvement so no r/t needed) as I didn’t want a long surgery and recovery but didn’t want to feel ‘flat’ either. It was fine, looks different nude but absolutely fine in a bra. So I’m happy.

That might be an option for you?

Hugs xxx

I think it depends on your surgeon . Mine refuses point blank to do the implant so I have no other option as I can’t face living with the scarring that I have at present.

Hi

My surgeon seems to favour DIEP as opposed to implant after skin sparing mastectomy. My preference is the implant so I am keen to discuss with women who have a similar experience.  My surgeon has said that the implant will be creased and can move and wont look very good. Is this your experience? I already have implants for cosmetic reasons and would like smaller implant on mastectomy side and therefore smaller on good side. Did you have surgery  on good side attention same time as mastectomy?

Thank

Michelle 

i actually had the mastectomy and implant, then they decided the margins weren’t clear enough so had to be opened up again. As I was having a 2nd operation that wasn’t planned the surgeon agreed to reduce and lift my good boob. Some surgeons won’t agree to this.

2nd operation couldn’t increase the margins on the mastectomy boob so had to have 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

My implant seems to have been able to cope with this although I don’t see plastic surgeon for another month which will be 2 months after my radiotherapy finished. 

I’ve never heard of a plastic surgeon not agreeing to use implants before. My consultant is brilliant and if anyone is told they can’t have n implant then I would request a 2nd opinion.

Hope this is helpful.

Thankyou for your response. The surgeon will perform implant reconstruction just seems to think the results are not very good compared to DIEP. Can I ask, are you happy with the look of your reconstruction? My surgeon cites ripples and folds as an issue.

My surgeon will do either permanent or expandable implant before radiotherapy.  He has warned me that it might get damaged and need more surgery.  I'm not bothered as I'm having it purely to keep my skin stretched so I have options in the future for reconstruction.  I would highly recommend you get a second opinion. Good luck with everything xxx

Hi, all.This is my first post.....so hoping it sounds ok. I was diagnosed in Oct 2019 and my options then were, skin sparing mastectomy  with immediate reconstruction with a mesh and implant or deflap.  This was to be followed by radiotherapy . I had my operation on dec 4th and chose,for recovery time and to fit into my caring role for 3 elderly ones the immediate reconstruction.  The immediate results were very impressive although no nipple. I also had auxiliary node dissection.I  was very numb and had 2 drains in for 2 weeks. The first 2 weeks were very painful and I was quite limited.  Sleeping was difficult and I could only sit up. All went well after that until 6 weeks ,when the scar failed to heal at the t junction.  Apparently this was quite common due to diminished blood supply,so I had regular dressing changes and another course of antibiotics.  This healed and now sadly I've got an infection in the implant and have had emergency surgery to remove it completely.  When the infection has gone ,they will do another reconstruction in 6-8weeks as they have put in a temporary expanded to keep the flap open. I also have my 2 drains back in. The moral of the story is you can make your choices and plan,but realistically it's a process. I'm totally optimistic that all will be well in the end,I'm cancer free and although it's a bumpy road it's well travelled. My surgeon explained all the negatives to me,its unfortunate that I've had some of those happen but still feel privileged to have had my choices. I personally will continue on and will have another implant and mamoplasty later. I just concentrated on health and life then what it was important for me to feel for my wellbeing and mental health. Waking up to a breast was wonderful. I was told it was a very personal journey and it is, so think of who you are,what you need and want and go for it.