hi
ive posted in surgery but no response so ill try here.
im now on list for my recon. i had mascetomy nearly 2 yrs ago.
i went and saw surgeon friday and he told me ill have a thing like a expander but it has a layer of silcone on top and it stays in forever. ive tried to find some info on them but cant find much. i am having skin taken from my back for my left side and as im 30 yrs old they are going to empty my right boob and put on of these things in that side and take a little bit of skin from the other side of my back. so im just wondering if anyone knows anything or even better had them
thanks ladies xx
Can’t help you, but thought would reply to bump up thread for you. Best of luck. Adi
hi i had an immediate recon at the same time as my mastectomy. I also have a perm expander in place and so far so good. if there is any questions you want answering id be happy to help.xxx
Penny
thanks so much penny ive messaged you xx
hi if penny is about id still really like to hear from you. or anyone else thats had this.
thanks xxxx
Hello, I had my mastectomy on the 28th march and LD flap reconstruction on the 13th may! They used a becker 35 expander implant (which is perminant) but i’m having some problems with it, so i’m hoping to get it changed next year! have you had recon yet?if you have any questions feel free to ask:)
All the best, Ellie xxx
Hi Ellie
thanks for replying. ive had my op now so im back to havin 2 boobies which i love. on the delayed side i havent had a pump up yet he put 100ml in the immediate recon side and 50ml in the delayed. im really pleased with what i have even more so when ive had pump up just want to no does it hurt when they pump up its been nearly 7 wks since my op thanks xxx
This sounds like exactly what my consultant has suggested to me. Had MX in April and looking at recon next year (spring). He would like to do LD flap with silicone implant but said it would be permanent expander … I cant seem to find any info … my bcn said she would talk it through … but my main concern is what can go wrong? How long will it last? How long before I can take up normal life after the op? How long before other one can be tweaked to match? Anyone help me??
Hi angielav
i couldnt find any info either. all i can let you no is my op was 8 hrs long i had mx on my left 2 yrs ago so had one delayed and one immediate done during this op. im now nearly 7 wks since my op ive been driving for bout 4 wks. i def feel alot more mobile in this last wk i have had some fluid collection on my back ive had it drained 3 times since being outof hospital. i was in hospital for 10 days i had 8 drains couldnt really move for a couple of days then by day 5ish i was washing my own hair in the shower which was bit hard as i couldnt get my chest dressing wet but i got it down to a fine art by the end. my surgern has said he doesnt pump up til at least wk 6 but they are all so different ill be 8 wks when i go see him again and im really hopeful i can have abit done. ill send you a pic of my boobies if you want just let me no your email. hope ive helped abit let me no if i can do anymore kerry xxxx
Hi kerry, have you got a port underneath your breast? i didn’t think it hurt getting it pumped up, just a bit uncomfortable with the needle. But i haven’t seen any other recons so if you’re comfortable sending a picture i would much appreciate it.
I’m glad you’re happy with yours, but i’m not very happy with mine. you can actually see my implant under the skin, (it looks like a big bruise) … becuase they took so much tissue i had nothing left 
plus the LD muscle doesnt even cover the implant,which doesnt help! so i literally have one layer of skin covering my implant. on top of that it is completely over expanded, so its much bigger than the other one (because i lost alot of weight in hospital and that). Anyway sorry about having a rant, it just really upsets me, i’m only 18 and i feel so self concious about my body as it is:( i just want to get my next operation to get it sorted, but my consultant doesnt want to cos they said they need to sort the cancer issue first… urrrghhhh so sick! hope you are all coping alright xxx
hi ellie93 id def send you some pics just send me your email address.
so sorry for you goin through this at such a young age.
hope your doin ok you can always ring me if you wanna talk
lots of love kerry xxxxx
Hi Girls,
Ive had a single mx followed by a preventative second mx, both with permanent tissue expanders, no problems only from capsule formation following rads, so had to have that cleared, can email pics if you want - or you can see my operation on sharonfoxcancercentre.org.uk
Have got pics of the result which I am quite happy with, just hoping for some nipples for xmas !!
Take care
Sharon xx