I was diagnosed with high-grade DCIS a few weeks ago. Been through one WLE which was unsuccessful.
Getting a unilateral mastectomy in a couple of weeks and opting in for immediate implant-based reconstruction.
I have been told a textured, expander implant, placed sub-pectoral would be most suitable for me.
I was wondering if anyone else has had the same type of reconstruction and any challenges with sub-pectoral placement of implant? Any feedback or experience you can share will be gratefully received.
Welcome to forum @maya2 . I havenāt had this type of surgery but I know there are lots of people on the forum who have and hopefully will be along soon to share their experiences . Best of luck with your surgery .Jill
Hi, I donāt know about sub-pectoral implants but highly recommend not having an implant at all. Have they even discussed that with you? Itās definitely worth thinking about and if you are pressured for time and pushed towards implant as I was, you might not be in the best place for that kind of decision.
Good luck whatever you choose x
Hi Laneycass, thank you so much for your message. I am being offered all options - no reconstruction, reconstruction with tissue or with an implant. Please could share some more insights into why an implant-based reconstruction is a bad idea, please? I am nervous about making the wrong decision and trying to gather as much info as possible. Thank you!
I agree with laneycass. Please take your time to research DIEP flap as well. That takes your belly vessels and fat and transfers to your boob.
Implants can cause implant illness and predispose you to autoimmune diseases.
I knew I couldnāt tolerable an implant as I encapsulated my tissue expander (after radiation) and broke through the skin.
Good luck with whatever you decide but please take the time to research whatās best for you.
Hello sorry, I didnāt mean to imply it is a ābad ideaā. Everyone is different and there will be plenty of people on here that will tell you they are happy with implants. The issues for me are:
ā¦ at the time you need to make the decision you are not likely to be in the best place emotionally, fortunately you can have a delayed reconstruction so you can experience being flat before making a decision.
ā¦ implants are not like real breasts, I have heard they can be tight, painful, cold and they donāt age with you so are likely to be uneven
ā¦ they need replacing at some point
ā¦ there is an increased risk of rejection, infection and complications
ā¦ prostheses come in many shapes and sizes and once they are in place nobody is going to know. I thought Iād have to throw half my clothes away but there was no need
ā¦ you donāt even have to wear a prosthesis - people rarely notice. People with one boob are OK!!
ā¦ the process is rarely straightforward, it requires extra procedures, operations and potentially pain - all round higher risk to health
and that is all I can think of right now, I am sure thereās more. The thought of going flat and being uneven may horrify you, it did me, but I accepted it. Post surgery, I immediately knew it was the right choice for me.
Good luck, I hope this helps your thinking
Thank you so much, laneycass. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. You are right, there is so much to think about at an emotionally difficult time. xx
I needed a double mastectomy and was horrified at the idea of waking up from surgery without breasts. I was genuinely hysterical and couldnāt get past the thought that I needed instant reconstruction.
BUT the wait was nine weeks if I wanted recon so I opted for delayed reconstructionā¦ and discovered I love being flat. I know everyone is different but I honestly canāt imagine having an implant, or for me, the recovery from DIEPā¦ I was back in the gym and running a couple of weeks after surgery.
All my old clothes fit better than before and I am so thankful that there was a delay otherwise I would have gone for a surgery I didnāt know I didnāt really want.
Good luck with whatever you choose xx