Just wandering if anyone has had implants, with or without tissue expansion, after having radiotherapy.
Originally my PS said he wouldnt be able to do this surgery, but saw him yesterday, and he has changed his mind, because my skin is in such good condition. He had originally planned LD Flap but now unable to do this as my blood vessels on this side are so badly damaged. I only have enough on tummy to do one boob (am getting prevent mast and immediate recon at same time), and he does not do bum - but not keen on this one anyway.
Hi Sparkler
Sorry I can’t help you as I had DIEP flap but I do hope someone will respond to your thread.
You are very lucky to have such lovely skin and an obviously tiny tummy (show off)!! I’m afraid to admit that I had enough podge to make a DD!
Is it worth exploring other options for the bum? ie another hospital? another surgeon? Norwich hospital is brilliant!
I gather that your surgeon, Mr Firth, would be rather reluctant for you to lose flesh from the nether regions? Has he had much ‘hands on’ experience of this?
Good luck
G x
Thanks for the response Gill - was beginning to think no-one was speaking to me
I did think about getting referred elsewhere for the bum option but have decided against this. I am worried that because the vessel damage was so bad under the arm, it will be the same on chest wall, therefore any flap surgery would fail. I would rather not put myself through such major surgery at the mo. Gonna take the chanvce that implants will work for me, albeit give me a smaller, and not quite so natural chest.
Still looking to find out if anyone else out there has experience of this tho?
I’m afraid I haven’t got the answers to your question, I just wanted to let you know that reading your post has been very encouraging for me.
Like you I don’t have enough tummy or bum to have that sort of reconstruction (weird as I’m far from petite) and because I will probably have radiotherapy after reconstruction my plastic surgeon recommended the LD flap option. What I really wanted was plain implants because it’s not such a big operation. Good to know that it’s a possibility that my skin might be okay if I can have radiotherapy first. I’ll be talking to my Doctors about that asap, thanks!
hi sparkler. how did you keep your skin in such good condition? i’m about to start radiother.
(sorry i can’t answer your q).
like you i had mastect and after rads i will have prophylact mastect of other side. everyone thinks i’m weird but i only want them to reconstruct the prophylactic side as think they can do that with expander at the time of surg with good result. don’t fancy the ld flap option, sounds too “major”. think i’ll leave the “fried side” well alone.
think i’d feel weird with no breasts but at the moment don’t feel too freakish with one! (only a cup though).
hope i haven’t bored you!
gabs.x
I had an expander implant after rads as I thought the flap option sounded too major. It has worked ouy very well for me with a relatively short operation and quick recovery time. Cosmetically it may be not quite as good as a flap, but I’m not planning to go topless! My surgeon warned me about the cosmetic appearance, but afterwards admitted it went better than he thought. I should mention that I took my time with this. I didn’t have the operation until 2 years after the rads so my skin had time to recover. I also put tons of moisturiser on it every night for the 2 years. I’m no expert, but if you want to discuss this further, I’ll be happy to help if I can.
I dont know if you have seen my other post (you must not have).
Unfortunately, events have overtaken everything. I found a lump on my chest wall - was dx with recurrence, then ct scan showed up secs in lung and possible nodules and nodes elsewhere. I am absolutely gutted, obviously and recon will now never be an option to me. The best I can hope for is control.
Everything has moved at such a scary speed, from seeing plastic surgeon and having my op booked for 22nd april next year, to this!!! Its scary, horrible and just makes me sick.
Good luck to all of you and good health
Live your lives - thats all I can say and what I am going to do!!
I was so sorry to read your news. It makes me think that we all have to make the most of now.
Take care of yourself. I hope all goes well for you.
love Ro
xxx
There are lots of my friends, family and colleagues so shocked and stunned about the speed all this has happened to me - and if they can learn one thing from it that will make it all worthwhile, it will be to live their lives and make the most of now!! I think it has been a big wake up call for many of them
