tissue expanders after radiation

jasper13

Thanks so much.  I  have 2 chemo and then rads.  I also do not want diep.  I have bought emu oil.  aquaphor, miaderm, and have already started moisturizing few times per day.  They think my expander absorded fluid from my mastectomy so need to have them drained in 2 days.  Can find nothing on expanders doing this.  Will find out more on Fri. 

muska

I had BXM in June 2013 with immediate reconstruction (expanders). I am nearing the end of my ACT chemo regimen and am fully expanded (they did this in parallel with chemo.) I need to decide whether to do exchange for permanent implant before or after radiation as I will require 30 radiation session. I am getting conflicting opinions - even in the insitution I am being treated at. From what I have been able to find out, different renowned cancer centers follow different protocols in such situations: Sloan-Kettering does exchange surgery before radiation whereas John Hopkins only does this after radiation. My PS recommends doing the exchange before radiation because I already had an episode of subcutaneous infection in one of the reconstructed breasts and she thinks it would be safer for me to be fully reconstructed before rads. I would like to hear from both sides - please let me know how it went for you.

SarahSs

Hi there,

I know you posted years ago, I just wondered how it turned out. I'm about to have the same procedure.

Best,

Sss

Snipper

Hi ladies, I’m wondering if anyone has a similar experience and can give me some advice. I was diagnosed jan25/17 w TN INDC stage 1 grade 3 had DMX w expanders march1/17 followed by 3months of chemo & 25 rads. I’m 5.5 months post treatment & am waiting for my ps to book reconstruction but am being told when I call it’s been delayed due to nursing shortage and hospital cutback. I was originally told surgery would be Jan and now it’s now April an they’re saying July! And not to call back! Wtf?? I’m so upset I don’t know what o do! Plus my radiated side is hard as rock NO LIE and he hasn’t even felt them to make sure I’m good! By what your all saying it coul be cc?

macb04

Capsular Contracture can be treated by Pentoxifylline and Vitamin E. Also Cold Laser, otherwise known as Low Level Laser Therapy has been shown in studies to help with Rads Fibrosis and Capsular Contracture. I currently take the Pentoxifylline 400mg per tablet 3 times per day and Vitamin E 400IU per capsule 3 times per day. It helped the extreme skin tightness, and how weirdly stiff and hard my skin was after rads. Might be worth looking into. No side effects for me either.