Hi there
Have been booked for my mastectomy on June 4th and have been asked if I would like an immediate reconstruction. I thought the expandable option sounded best. Has anyone any experience of this. The BCN told me that if I needed radiotherapy it could distort the implant, but if I didn’t go for immediate recon it would be more difficult in the future and more complicated.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Ann
Hi Ann
I had an expandable implant, which was slowly filled with saline over the course of 5 months. I was quite pleased with it. However, at the time (1999) there was the fear that rads would damage the implant and I chose not to have rads. I think things have moved on a bit since then and rads have become a lot more safer, but ultimately the choice has to be yours. I know of a few girls who had to have the implant removed because of damage and hardening. The other thing to consider is that if you put on any weight, your normal boob will be a lot bigger and the bra problems will then still be with you. I put on a lot of weight on Tamoxifen, and my bra size varied between a cup size on the reconstructed boob. However, I managed to get round that by bying padded or t-shirt bras, which compensated somewhat. Overall, I must say I was pleased with the recon as I could wear normal swimwear etc. and low cut tops etc.
Sadly I had a recurrence and lost the implant, so now having to cope with prothesis, although I am managing fairly well, as my scar line is low,
Good luck with your op, hope it all goes ell.
Birgit
hi all just had expander fitted 5 days ago …i was told that if there is a possibility of rads there are 2 types of expanders you can have …i believe plastic for rads metal for not … but check with your surgeon…mine is up to the minute latest gadget that doesnt have to be removed for inplant…as doubles for both which means only one op !!!
Hi Anndi
I had a temporary reconstruction done in January at the time of my mastectomy ie. a tissue expander rather than a DIEP flap which I’ll be having later on. The reason this was recommended was so that no damage would be done to my permanent reconstruction should I need rads. As it happens, I’m having chemo but not rads so could have gone ahead with the proper thing!
The tissue expander has never been that comfortable for me. My breast is very hard and I can feel where part of the expander has folded a bit - it’s weird. The breast doesn’t lie flat when I lie down, so compared to my other breast there’s a huge difference.
I had a very bad infection in March which delayed chemo … after that I decided with my plastic surgeon that we’ll only expand to make the breast as even with the other one as possible and then wait til I have the proper reconstruction. The positive for me though is that the skin is stretched and it’s nice to have something for now!
It’s a hard decision to make … good luck with everything!
Gill
Hi Ann,
I will be having expander implants fitted on Friday as immediate recon. As I am having a double mastectomy this seemed the simplest op for now as I don’t know what further treatments may be required. The tissue recons I understand give more natural looking results and maybe better at achieving a match to a healthy remaining breast - but are major ops, longer recovery etc…
My reservation with the expander system is that it is temporary (well that’s what I’ve been offered though as dynamite says there are other types available) so as a minimum a further op would be required to replace with permanent silicone implant. I don’t know how I will feel with the temporary implants in place - maybe not wanting to get attached to them if they’re going…will have to wait and see.
Some people have delayed reconstruction to get other treatments out of the way and give time to consider all the options, but I’ve heard there can be delays getting the surgery in some areas - by that time you are no longer a medical priority in the same way as when the cancer is still there.
Good luck with your deliberations - I found the CancerBackup booklet useful - it has some photos of the different types of recon - as well of course as the breastcancer care booklet on this site.
Best wishes
Misha
Hi ladies
Thanks for getting back to me. I think I will go for the expanders and hope for the best.
Hi Birgit
How did it manage to come back after a mastectomy, I thought it massively improved the chances of it not returning. Did you have any other treatment apart from the mastectomy?.
Hi Dynamite
Was yours an immediate recon or delayed?
Hi Gill
When will you get your permanent implant?
Hi Misha
Hope everything goes well for you on Fri. It’s a bloody nightmare isn’t it!! Would you mind letting me know how it went when you feel well enough. Will be thinking of you as I’m sure many others will be.
God bless you all
Love
Ann
hi anne
i had a delayed reconstruction …had right mastectomy
june 07 then 6months chemo , now 5 years of tomax
Hi Ann
I had a skin saving mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The surgeon put a tissue exander in although he did say beforehand it would be an implant. The BCN says the implant can stay in for a long time. I have had rads and to be honest it has gone a little harder but not a lot.I have been really pleased with the result.
Best wishes
Liz xx
Hi Ann - I have high grade DCIS and am having mastectomy and immediate reconstruction - expander implant. My surgeon said he always insists in sentinel node biopsy prior to op to ensure there will be no need for radiotherapy afterwards. I went last week for snb - overnight stay and have just had clear results so all is set for Sat 31st May - also having a reduction on the other side - trying to be positive and focus on fact I will have c cup rather than f or ff…Have always wanted wee boobs but never thought of this route - good luck with yours - I’ll send good vibes and you do the same!
love Chebsy x