reconstruction after rads?

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reconstruction after rads?

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reconstruction after rads? Can anyone tell me if it is possible to have reconstruction surgery after rads? I have had a mastectomy, axillary clearance, FEC chemo and start rads soon. I think I read somewhere that rads causes a thickening of skin, if this is correct, does it cause probs with reconstruction. Just starting to think about having it done next yr.

Thanks Irene

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Shouldn’t be a problem Hi Irene
I finished rads last July and am booked for reconstruction next month. I don’t think they are anticipating any particular problems, although they wouldn’t consider surgery until at least 6 months after the end of rads. I think some surgeons insist on a year.

Good luck with the radiotherapy
Mary

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I did! Hello Irene

I had reconstruction after rads in August 2004. My surgeon would only agree to to implants and muscle and skin flaps from the back and not the smaller operation involving the inflating implants. This was because I had skin damage from the rads and the skin would not stretch easily. I had a bilateral reconstruction in November 2005. It was quite a big op. but I am pleased overall that I had it done. The rads caused my skin to be different colours where they took the flaps from my back but the rads skin damage is starting to fade a bit although you can still see it. Scars were a bit scary at first but also beginning to fade a bit now.

Hope this helps

Pat

PS - am also a teacher and although I worked through my chemo (against a lot of advice) I took a few mths off after the op as it did take me quite a long time to get fit again.