hello, this is my first time on the site, i was diagnosed 5 days ago and everything is moving so fast, im having mx on monday next week and have been told an immediate recon is not advisable in case i have to have radiotherapy, im devastated and wondering if anyone has had an expander before having rads. iwould be so grateful to anyone with any info as i have to see consultant tommorow about the op, many thanks
Hi sophia2
I’m sorry you have found yourself needing this site-you must be reeling from the diagnosis 5 days ago.
In short-yes, I had what they refer to as immediate/delayed reconstruction prior to rads.
This was mx and expander at the same time,(There are a few threads about this on here today.) which can then be replaced with a more permanent recon: either implant, tissue, or a combination. There are several options, so your surgeon should tell you more about them, and advise which would be best for you.
I listened to loads of opinions and chose what I felt was best for me at the time(I was advised to have a tissue recon for the best results, but I went for implant only, which has had its limitations.) Do PM if you want to. Hopefully you will get some more replies about other people’s experiences.
All the very best with your decision, op and treatment.
C
Hi Sophia2
You can but it does depend on where you live. Some surgeons seem to see no problem with this at all whilst others won’t hear of it. Mine unfortunately was one of the later. Unlike me though you have done the sensible thing and come here for advice and can go in armed with information when you have your next appointment. I wish I had as I am now over a year on and on a waiting list for recon which is probably still six months away.
Hi Sophia, in my area they will not do immediate recon if you need further tx, but will if it looks as though you don’t. However, you never quite know what your results will be, and that’s maybe why the recon is often discouraged initially. I’ve just had bilateral mx 5 weeks ago, and my immediate reaction was to go for a recon at the same time. I had a month to think about it, and ended up not having one and actually pretty much deciding not to do it at all. It’s a major decision, and it has to be yours in the end, but it’s very difficult to make that kind of choice when you’re stunned and upset by the bc diagnosis. I would personally wait, the treatment lowers your immunity and you then have an enhanced risk of infection. Also the expander is not a ‘simple’ option, and doesn’t give very realistic results. My bcn said to me that you need to be committed to recon, and you need to be prepared for it to fail - I did feel that my initial reaction was almost a way of me not having to cope with the mx. There are of course success stories, but also failures. I do hope that whatever you decide to do works out for you, hugs xx
thank you so much for the advice, its really good to hear differing opinions and experiences, im so glad i found this site as i have no one to talk to about this and feel really lonely and scared, think it just hit me today as i cried for the first time. Again thanks everyone im really grateful…
Sophia have you called the bcc helpline? If not, give it a go they’re fab x