Hi all 
I’m new to this site and it is great to have found it. Have BRCA1 gene and going through all the stuff involved & wow what a process!! I am trying to choose between ‘Strattice’ vs ‘Implant under the muscle’ and would love to hear about your experiences and any advice. Thanks
Hi Gabby,
I’m currently deciding between implant with strattice or implant with back flap (on one-side only).
with the strattice i believe you will still have the implant placed under the pec muscle, but the muscle only covers the upper half of the implant, so the strattice is used to cover the lower half of the implant. Whereas i don’t think anything much other than your skin and fat would cover the lower half of the implant if you have implant only. my plastic surgeon didn’t think i was suitable for just implant only as i’m quite skinny, but if you have a bit more flesh on you than i do an implant only might work. they should be able to advise you.
here’s a couple of links which might be useful if you haven’t already seen them.
the first link goes through various types of recon including strattice.
the second is a pdf all about the strattice.
breastcancersurgeon.org.uk/reconstruction_6.html
ricklinforth.com/doc/EU_CoreBreastBrochureUKFINAL.pdf
good luck with all your research.
jay-woo x
hi Gabby,
I cannot give you any advice at all but i am bumping your post to where it will be seen. It seems to have got lost on page 3.
Hopefully someone else who has had this choice will be along soon. Or when the helpline opens the nurses will have all the time in the world to go over the options again, sometimes just talking things through with someone clarifies your thoughts and makes you happier wiht your decision
Hi Gabby,
There was a thread on something about strattice a little while back. if you go to the forum front page and type strattice into the search box it should pull it up for you.
Hope you find the info you need to make the best decision for you.
Edit:
Two thread are:
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=24506&p=573033&hilit=strattice#p573033
share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=33101&p=576614&hilit=strattice#p576614
Hi Gabby,
My surgeon has recommended the implant with strattice too and said the two options were this and the back muscle but he favoured the strattice because he said its less invasive and he thinks overall, there is a better chance of a good result. There is apparently a risk of rejection but he said so far, this hadnt happened.
I met one of my surgeon’s patients who was happy with the results.I too have brca1 but have not quite worked up the courage to make the decision, although it seems inevitable as I dont see how I can live with the risks.
Hope this helps. Rattles, x
Hi Gabby, I am BRCA1 too! yes it is a process. It seems I am a ittle further along that process than you? I was recommended by my surgeon to have either the LD flap with implants or the strattice with implants. I have opted for the strattice as He and I felt it was less invasive with a shorter surgery and shorter recovery. I have two young boys so need to back into my life smoothly and without too much delay! Anyway how are you? How did you find out about your BRAC1? I hope you find this site helpful in making your choices, i have had some great advice from here.
Strawb xx