Hi, i have recently been diagnosed with non invasive DCIS and have decided to have an implant reconstruction. Whilst the doctors and nurses have been kind and lovely, being the kind of person who deals in facts and follows instructions I am overwhelmed in the choices I have to make. Whilst for me made mastectomy over lumpectomy and implant over tissue reconstruction made sense I need some help/advice re pre pectoral or sub pectoral implant reconstruction. Are any of you lovely ladies able to share your experiences. I am due hopefully to have my surgery towards the end of January but my consultant wants me to have made my decision by next week… Finding it all a bit much !
Hello,
I too have been diagnosed with non-Invasive DCIS breast cancer, in October. I was hoping for a lumpectomy but they found 3 tumours so I needed a mastectomy. I had immediate implant reconstruction at the same time. I am now 6 weeks post op. I had pre pectoral implant reconstruction. I decided to have this as I wanted to keep active following my surgery. Prior to surgery I enjoyed yoga and Pilates. The consultant explained it would be harder to go back to these activities with a sub pectoral implant. If you have the implant above your muscle, once recovered from the surgery, you can go back to using this muscle. My consultant explained that a sub pectoral implant does look more natural than pre pectoral due to the shape but that pre pectoral is more functional. I hope this makes sense. Yes there are more choice than you realise with the operation.
Take care x
Hi SJSUNSHINE - I had a pre-pectoral implant about 3.5 years ago, so happy to answer any questions if I can help at all. This was partly because I needed to have radiotherapy afterwards and my consultant said there was a reduced risk of hardening (capsular contracture) with a pre-pectoral implant. Mine doesn’t quite match my real one but I’m happy with it and don’t notice it from day to day. You might want to ask your surgeon if he/she can show you photos of other reconstructions so you get an idea of what to expect. It’s great that you have come on here to ask and chat and I hope we can help - please do ask anything you like. My best wishes to you, Evie xx
Hi SJsunshine
Have you made your decision yet? Please don’t allow yourself to be rushed/pressured into it, if you aren’t ready and feel you need longer. Even if it means a slight delay to your surgery date. Keep gathering info and yes, as already suggested by Evie-S (hi Evie), look at as many photos as poss. Ask your BCN for. I’m surprised at your surgeon pushing for your decision if your surgery is likely to be end of Jan. Not sure why a bit longer for your choice is going to make any difference to his schedule. Maybe it’s to do with having to pre-book longer theatre time if sub-pec takes longer? Dunno.
I’m also not understanding why it would be “harder (?) to go back to these activities” following sub-pec. Perhaps it’s meaning a bit longer in healing time for it, to then go back to.
Also, has anyone discussed the use of a “Strattice”/tissue matrix sling for either sub or PRE?? It’s supposed to help reduce the “rippling” in PRE- pec and smoothe the implant edges.
I was coming from a “delayed” recon for both boob mastectomies years ago, so a bit different. Am still at inflater stage. But surgeon didn’t ask my choice for pre or sub. Just went ahead and did sub-pec, which I was happy with anyway. It preventing the movement of the implant, and the “rippling” mentioned, that can happen with pre-pec if you raise your arms high. But I did discuss the use of tissue matrix, as an available added extra to sub-pec, to help give a smoother profile to the bottom 1/2 of the implant, which of course isn’t under the pec muscle.
Good luck with it all and hope you’re happy with your choice in the end. Oh, and don’t ever feel guilty about caring about the end results. None of us here would ever think you vain for it, whether you’re 50, older or younger 
A belated Merry Christmas and All Good Wishes for a Happy, Healthy. hopefully soon virus free New Year to you and everyone else
Delly xxxxxxxx