Hi everyone
I am in a real confused state as to which way to go.
I am going to have a mx with immediate recon.
Has anyone had recon using implants?
Any help and personal experiances would be great.
Thanks,
Juddyduddy
Hi judyduddy
Welcome to the Breast Cancer discussion forums, I hope you will find them a great source of support and information.
Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with their experiences and advice you may find it useful to read the BCC booklet on reconstruction. It outlines the different options available and includes information on the procedure, suitablity and recovery period after surgery. If you would like to order a copy or read this on-line just follow the link below:-
It may also help to re-post your message in the reconstruction section as it should help more users to see it.
I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes Sam, Facilitator
Had bilateral mx 10th Feb. Did not want LD flap reconstruction (bigger op, bigger risk, longer recuperation) so surgeon used Strattice to provide extra tissue at bottom edge of implant. I have definitive result (i.e. no tissue expanders) - was only B cup, so was suitable candidate. So, everything was done in one surgery, approx 4 hrs. Then 5 nights in hospital, home with remaining 2 drains which were removed following day in clinic. So far, so good.
Hi Judy,
When you say you don’t know which way to go, what are the alternative options? With or without implant? My surgeon advised that I didn’t have enough ‘meat’ on me to do the recon without an implant, and although I would have preferred not to have the implant the resulting shape would have looked odd and sort of ‘collapsed’ without it.
I had right mx with immed LD flap recon Oct 2009 so a little over a year post surgery. It involved using an implant plus muscle tissue from my back (lat dorsi) muscle to cover the implant and make it more natural. (Some surgeons use abdominal or buttock tissue).To be honest, it does take a while to recover from surgery and get used to your new ‘breast’. I had about 3 months off work post surgery. Someone advised me to allow a year to get used to it and she was probably about right. On the whole I am pleased I had the recon - I did not want to be lopsided and couldn’t be bothered with prostheses or padding my bra, so that’s why I went ahead with it.
My ‘breast’ is quite normal looking, I have a had a ‘nipple’ made, but haven’t yet had it tattooed to match the real one. It feels quite soft and natural, although there is no sensation there (sadly!) and I like being able to wear skimpy tops, swimsuits, etc. I have a little tightness/discomfort in my back/side if I overdo things, eg strenuous exercise, gardening, carrying heavy stuff.
I have been lucky in that I have not had any complications, no wound problems, lymphodema, etc. I know some ladies have had problems. I was religious about doing my physio exercises after the op and I believ that helped me.
I am pleased with the recon, but every person’s experience and expectations are different I guess. Quiz people, get as many opinions/experiences/info as possible so you can make as informed a decision as possible. I also benefited from talking to someone from this site (buddy system).
Good luck with your decision making and with your health x
Same as above. LD Flap with implant as I don’t have enough of my own fat. I haven’t had the nipple done and yet am very happy with the look and feel of it. I took me a year to be comfortable and I do get tingling in the back when I get tired, but overall a fantastic op. Also, don’t think about implants as those things that people with boob jobs have; the implant I have is indistinguishable from any of my own tissue and I actually didn’t know I had one for the first few weeks!
Ditto Annie and Garden Girl. Had a MX with immediate LD recon last November and am very pleased with the results. Not sure about nipple yet, I’m happy with the look of it so I might not bother at all although I do need more surgery on my other breast to reduce and lift probably later this year. My back also gets achey if I do too much but when I’ve finished this chemo fun I’ll be taking up yoga or swimming to help with strenghening it. Good luck with your decision.
Also I asked my surgeon if he would show my pictures of his previous before and after reconstructions and this really helped me visualise what he was going to do and how it would look. Somewhere in his photo album is a picture of mine!
xx Rachel xx
See response to post “Looking for Words of Wisdom”.
My implants are fine and I’m looking forward to finishing the inflation and getting the permanent ones in.
jane