Healing process post DCIS masectomy with implant

zeynep-a

I have been diagnosed on tuesday with DCIS, grade 3. I had my biopsy last friday and will have surgery hopefully next tuesday. The area to be removed is 12 cm, many small calcifications within, so it will have to be a skin&nipple sparing mastectomy. There are several points I am not clear abut, therefor can not make my mind;

1. I have consulted with several surgeons and I have been advised by differeny one both for the simultanious silicone implant and an expander+2nd surgery. While a simultaneus implant seem more practical, I would appreciate if anyone could share their wisdom ad experience on it.

2. I can not not decide wether to have a preventive mastectomy on the opposite breast. The Dr. leaves it entirely up to me. My main concern about this is the recovery period. It seems I will have half the recovery if I go with one side only. I would appreciate any experience on that.

3. I would very much like to hear your stories on the immediate healing period and the middle and long term sensation with regards to silicone implanted recovery.

Like everybody else, I have been feeling overwhelmed with huge decisions to be taken at such short time. Hopefully with the answers of above I will be able to make a decision.

Thank you very much in advance.

Moderators

Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us!

Besides sharing your experiences and learning from other members here at the boards, you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101section from the main site, which is designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

Also reliable information on DCIS — Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Diagnosis of DCIS where you'll learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc.

Possibly of interest too is the Oncotype DX Test

We hope this helps!

The Mods

zeynep-a

thank you:)

CaliRN

I had a bilateral total skin sparing mastectomy at UCSF on December 8th. I was told by my breast surgeon that using the expander allows for better blood flow to the skin and nipple by not putting as much pressure on them. The plastic surgeon put in 100cc in the OR.I got to see my nipples yesterday and they look exactly the same. I also chose to have the other breast removed because I have a strong family history of breast cancer and I wanted to decrease my risk. The recovery has been manageable and I am feeling better every day!

zeynep-a

Thank you for your reply, I hope you are already feeling better. I have also decided on a bilateral, one side necessity and the other for the same reason of decreasing risk, hoping that both side will be skin and nipple sparing. I am scheduled for surgery wednesday December 25. I will have direct silicone implants. We shall see.

LAstar

You might get some good feedback by posting in the Reconstruction forum and finding other women who had silicone implants immediately placed. Best wishes for a quick recovery and successful treatment, Zeynep!

Sodie1017

I went straight to implants. The PS told me prior to surgery that he would decide between expanders or implants once he saw how the skin looked after the breast surgeon was finished. Most of the time, he does expanders. Apparently, things looked good enough for the immediate implants.

When I went in for my one week check up, he told me to be thankful - I was on my way to recovery, whereas those with expanders have a long way to go. The drawback, however, with straight to implant, is you're more miserable on the front end of recovery. You're the size you're going to be and your pecs are yelling for mercy!

I hope that answers your question.