reconstruction after left mastetomy and radiation

bones

Hello I am getting ready to get recon and I am not sure what to expect. I am told by my plastic surgoen that I have to have back muscle taken out to help with recon because of the radiation I had. I am just a little confused on the whole thing. I want to do recon but I want to talk to someone that has had this type and if hoe recovery was. I have two sons one is 13 and the other 4 I love these guys they have been so awesome through all this drama. My husband has been awesome also he tells me its up tp me he rather me not do recon but i like clothes and and wearing this bra with the inplate thing is heavy and hard on my back. I was 34 when i found out I had stage two invasive ductal cancer and two lymp nodes and calcification all over my left breast. I also had 28 treatments of radiation ,52 treatments of herception and noe just started three years of Zomeda every six months . This last year has been pretty crazy but with great faith and a awesome god i have made it through . If anyone has had this recon done or can help me with some advise it would be great . I am in fresno ca if that may help.....

Renata

There are several women who have had reconstruction using the Latissimus dorsi method and they are very happy with their results, but they post mainly in the breast reconstruction thread. You can try there, and congratulations on finishing your treatments!!! The worst is over...

glostagirl

Hi bones,

Just saw your thread and noticed you didn't get many replies.  There are quite a few more tissue reconstruction procedures than the one your PS has recommended.  I suggest you use the discussion board search to find out about the following procedures:

DIEP, SIEP, TUG, and SGAP

There are quite a few very active discussion threads on this site dedicated to reconstruction.  You will find a lot of good info and great ladies who will help and advise you along the way. 

Also, there are quite a few web sites dedicated to these procedures where you can view before and after photos.  They are quite graphic, so be prepared.  One of the best is:         www.breastcenter.com

LD Flap or Lat Flap is the procedure your PS is recommending.  This is one of the few procedures that typically requires a small implant for augmentation if you have larger breasts (C and above).  It is an easier procedure for the PS to perform than some of the others as it doesn't require the same micro surgical skills.  In the Lat Flap the blood supply stays connected to the muscle and tissue while in the others the tissue and veins are transplanted from the donor site.  

On the other hand, the Lat Flap isn't always the best choice for someone who's had radiation, as I've said it often requires an implant and also cadaver material called Alloderm, which is another foreign substance that your immune system could reject. 

Here is a transcript of a discussion witha plastic surgeon that is a long read but well worth it as it gives a lot of info on reconstruction:

http://www.lbbc.org/data/transcript-file/LBBCreconstruction09.pdf 

Many women travel to doctors and centers that are dedicated to breast reconstruction.  There are a few in California.  They will work with your insurance to get you covered, so it is worth doing the research and making the calls.   

Hope this helps