Tissue Expander

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Hi Girls

I saw my Consultant today as I’m coming towards the end of my chemo (yay !) and we needed to discuss the next steps. I was aware right at the beginning that I would be needing a mastectomy, but today he has suggested a tissue expander for six months, followed by an implant 6 months later. I was also pleased to hear he’ll be putting an implant in my other breast, so they match (and even better, I’m going up a cup size!).

Anyway, operation is booked in for 3rd October. I’m not scared, but would appreciate hearing from any of you who have been through this tissue expander malarky and how you got on with it.

Thanks, and lots of love to you all

Julie xx

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Hi Julie

I posted this somewhere else on the website, so will copy it into here for you.

I had a recon about 10 months after the mastectomy, I was ready for it and the recon surgeon told me I had to be ready. I had the chest expander put in (I think you call it that over there, I live in SA) that was no problem, then over the next 6 months I went every few weeks to get it pumped up with saline solution. Then I had the op for the expander out and boob put in. My first op with the chest expander took around 2 hours, the main op was about 3 hours but they did reconstruct the nipple as the same time. I have smallish boobs though, 36B so the chest expander way was ideal. I have mentioned on this website if any ladies want to see my reconstruction they are welcome to go onto the breakthrough site and see my message which has my email address. I am very pleased with the result, although I did have to have the whole thing redone as after the first recon I went down with brain cancer and had to have chemo, which did something to the silicone boob, but had it redone now and very pleased with the result.

Love Roz x

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Hi Roz

Thanks so much for responding to my post, and I will indeed check out the breakthrough site. I’m also a 36B, but will be going up to a 36C by the time we’re finished (I always wanted bigger breasts, but its a bit of a drastic way to go about it isnt it ?)

Sorry to hear about your brain cancer, you’ve certainly been through the mill haven’t you ? - hope you are competely well now !

Thanks again

Julie xx