Implants vs skin flap reconstruction

I know I am a bit late to this thread -sorry.  Anyway, I had a mastectomy in 2021 with a temporary expander while I had radiotherapy. It became encapsulated.  In 2022 I had a textured implant put in, the surgeon said it gave a more natural look. Anyways within a few months it also became encapsulated, painful, itchy and crinkled.  He now thinks it’s turned sideways!   Anyway I’ve had a second opinion and am going to try for a DIEP flap now.  I have a CT scan tomorrow to check for the various blood vessels in my abdomen.
Weirdly though I have been having several other very strange illnesses eg pressure in my head and allergic reactions to lotions I have been using for years. Sometimes my face is bright red and burning hot.  Not all doctors believe that Breast Implant  Illness is a real problem but my GP finally raised it with me and while clearly there needs to be some real evidence based research into it I wondered if anyone else has heard of it? Either way, I want this implant out now and ironically I had asked for an autologous reconstruction the first time but not all areas offer it. 

Thanks for posting this. Making the same decision myself and so many factors to decide.  It’s been a good read. I was really scared at the thought of the Diep flap but feel a bit more positive after reading this. 

and the nipple tattoo sounds better thank I thought it would.  My worry is the breast reduction on the other side and lumpectomy. What if they don’t get it all and I have one tummy boob and then they don’t get it all from the other side.  I only have a small tummy and hopefully enough to do 1. Waiting on ct result to check viable. 

Hi Meanegg, may I ask of you had 1 breast reconstruction with DIEP or both ? I am considering both as have the BRACA1 gene mutation and would like to reduce the risk of another primary in the healthy breast.

Thank you. Sounds like a huge op!