Who out there has dealt with a failed reconstrution?

amykins

I have also shared some of this in the IBC forum. "IBC and Reconstruction"

I was diagnosed in June 2012 with IBC  in the right breast and I had 6 rounds Chemo, had a
Mastectomy and then 44 treatments Radiation. This past fall I asked my
doctors about reconstruction and they all gave me a green light to do
it. But my Radiation doctor warned me that the plastic surgeon may have a
hard time with me because of the radiation damage. I was give a name of a plastic
surgeon who seemed sure she could fix me but she would not really know
until we got into surgery. She gave me my options.It took me a few
months to decide what was best for me and I decided on the Tram Flap. My surgery was 6n1/2hours on April 8 and when I came out I had a breast. The next day the nurse noticed I was loosing a lot of blood.I lost so much blood that I was close to having a blood transfusion. I was back in the OR on April 10. I came out of that surgery with half a breast and a wound vac on. I was released from the hospital on April 15 with half a breast and a wound vac. On April 30 I was back in the OR to remove the breast and almost had to have a blood transfusion again. The tissue did not survive. I came out of that surgery with the wound vac still on. I had the wound vac on for almost 3 months. June  27 I was back again in the OR to do a skin graft and close me up. I am still healing I have 4 holes on the site area and the biggest hole is in the armpit. I have been packing all with gauze. I am in pain physical and mental. I have so much regret. An it does not help when you go see your surgeon who did my mastectomy and she wants you to go to another PS and to not go back to the other one. I don't have a day where I don't cry about it. I am so angry at myself and the PS that did the surgeries. I saw the red flags and ignored them because I wanted this to be over with. It was suppose to be a 4-6 week recovery and here we are in August. There are so many things I still can't do because I am still healing. Then there is the whole thing were I lost my breast twice once because of cancer and the second time was because of radiation damage is what I am told but I am starting to wonder if it could be partly the PS being too arrogant. This has been so much harder to deal with then having Cancer. I don't know what to do with all this grief that I am feeling but cry. It is hard to see the good when you feel like shit. 

I did go see the other PS this week and didn't really get any answers yet. I will see him in a few week and hopeful then after he has a chance to read my file I will get some answers to what to do next. I know I just need to take it one day at a time. Some days I just have a harder time then others. I am just wondering am I the only one who has gone through this. If there is someone who has gone through this. How long did it take you to fully recover and how did you get through it? 

Thank you for allowing me to vent.<3

Thimbleberry

amykins, my heart goes out to you......I know your pain. I had a failed implant due to radiation wound healing problems. My non radiated side has a 650 cc silicone implant, and is doing well. My radiated side started with the silicone implant in April, the scar separated after one month....infection developed. My PS cut off about 2 cm of the scar tissue and replaced the silicone implant with a saline implant. All seemed to be fine for about another month and a half.....PS removed stitches, and about two weeks later the incision separated again. Yet another surgery, this time he removed 4 cm of tissue on either side of the original incision, removed the implant, and sutured me up. He told me the remaining tissue is viable, but that I would need to find another PS who could do some form of flap surgery. I am now trying to decide which flap surgery would make the most sense for me. I am wearing a silicone external breast form in the meantime.....it does the job, but I really do want reconstruction.

I still feel horrified when I look at myself in the mirror without clothes....I feel like a failure, but my husband and close friends act like I am exactly the same person as I was prior to this nightmare. Now my homework begins....researching all the available reconstruction alternatives.....any suggestions? 

drdolittle

I finally gave up on the ps in my area and headed to Nola. It hasn't been easy and I've had complications but I am seeing an end in sight. The treatment and care in Nola is far superior to any available in my state. Before I went I decided to start interviewing ps in my area - that was a humbling experience after a few my skin toughened up and mentally I felt stronger . The ps work for you and you have the right to question and discuss what can be done to get the best outcome. I would recommend a trip to Nola just for an opinion - the trip will be worth it . 

CookPh

Mu heart goes out to you amykins. I hope things will get better from now own. Did you try consulting another PS? I don't know maybe you can have another reconstruction surgery after you are completely healed.

amykins

Thank you for your replies.

Hey here is an Update. I am still healing. I have three holes
that I am still having to pack gauze in them once a day. I have seen 3
of my doctors my surgeon who did my mastectomy, oncologist and
radiologist. All 3 used the word to describe my situation " This is
Fucked up"and yes they said Fucked up. I have seen the new plastic surgeons twice now.
I am looking at calling a lawyer. I am overwhelmed.  I can't work in the with open wounds and asked if
there was any work in the office for me to do. They said they would keep
me in mind if anything comes up. They have been great this whole time
but I really don't know how much longer they are going to be able to
keep my job open for me. I started physical therapy on Thursday. I will
have to go 3 times a week.Which is way more then I had to do before.This has set me way back. I am so sad
and angry. I am looking into some support groups. I am trying to take it
day by day. I will keep you posted.

Zenful

Please check out the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. They are the best and have dealt with many failures. If you have already had a tram flap, they could possibly use fat from your hips.  I am sorry you have had to endure so much.  http://www.breastcenter.com

((Hugs))

lbrewer

there is also a center I'd charleston sc. 

http://www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com

Dr Kline and craigie who have dealt with my other failed flaps. There is a group here called charleston bound.  The women there have been a great support for me   I had an sgap on my radiated side and some shaping to the ms tram flap I had done a few years ago from my first diagnosis.   It is a long road, but reconstruction is still very likely  to have good results in the hands of a good surgeon.  Stay strong. 

PinkHeart

Amykins,

I went through nightmare of implant failure and severe radiation damage. I had to travel but finally found top flap recon microsurgeon who are down to earth based in Charleston, SC. They only work with breast cancer patients which makes a huge difference in care and experience. Beautiful suburban hospital, super staff, AND they accept all insurance.

I had Dr. Richard Kline. http://www.centerfornaturalbreastreconstruction.com

I had my implant mess removed and replaced with SGAP flaps.