Hi,
After 2 failed WLE’s I am now having a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using implants. It has all happened so quickly & I don’t feel I have asked enough questions regarding the procedure. I am interested to hear from anyone who has has this done. The surgeon mentioned something about using cow skin to help hold the implant in place. Thank you. S xx
Hello Sonia, I had the same op - just left side - two years ago. Mine used pig skin, same sort of thing, often referred to as strattice mesh. I think using some sort of mesh to help support the implant is pretty much the norm these days and they say it makes a more natural shape. They make a pouch to hold the implant by lifting your pec muscle across the top and making a sort of sling across the bottom with the mesh. The information on reconstruction on this site is useful, and the nurses on here are brilliant too if you want to talk to someone apart from your hospital BCN. Mine all healed up quite quickly and I’m happy with the result. Its such a rollercoaster trying to take it all in so do talk to someone if you need to. Love and good luck to you xx
Hi BluebellTime, thank you for getting back to me. It certainly is such a rollercoaster. I had to go back for so many biopsy’s prior to my 1st lumpectomy to confirm there were no other suspicious areas, which would having resulted in a mastectomy to start with & now after 2 failed WLE’s I feel I am back to square 1 as i now have to have a mastectomy!! I will take your advice & look at the reconstruction area on this site, thank you. Your procedure does sound identical to mine so I am pleased to hear that you are happy with the results. Can I ask how you found the recovery? Did you have much time off? I am keen to get back to work as soon as I can. Thanks again & lots of love. Sonia xx
Thank you BluebellTime,
I appreciate you response. I am due to have surgery tomorrow (3rd time lucky!)
Best wishes
Sonia xx
Thank you BluebellTime. S xx
Hi - I’m new to this and have been advised not to have an immediate implant because I’ll possibly need radiotherapy. I feel like I’m not going to cope at all with just going flat. Did you have n radiotherapy and how are you now? Thanks
Hi SusieQue, I didn’t have radiotherapy but know people who have had a mastectomy with an immediate implant followed by radiotherapy & even chemotherapy. I would ask them what the risks are if you do have an immediate implant as I am sure they must be low. If the worst come to the worse and you have to go flat on one side for a while you can still use some sort of implant to put in your bra. Not sure where you live but there are specialist lingerie shops I believe Nicola Jane is one, who specialise in these things. You can get some really pretty bras and nobody would ever know. Best of luck to you. Sonia xx