Anyone have exchange surgery while in Herceptin?

Luckydog42

Anyone have exchange surgery while in Herceptin?

Luckydog42

I stopped Taxol last week and am now on Herceptin every 3 weeks until December 2015. My plastic surgeon said he could so the exchange while I am on Herceptin only. I will talk to my oncologist in two weeks, but in the meantime was wondering if anyone had their exchange on Herceptin or if you waited until you were off all chemo drugs. I don't want to rush into surgery because I would like to enjoy feeling healthy first. But it would be nice if I didn't have to wait an entire year to get these TE out!

Mommato3

I haven't had my surgery yet but it is being scheduled for February. Herceptin is a monoclonal antibody, not a chemo drug. That's why you can have your exchange while on it. I can't imagine keeping these TEs for more a year!

SpecialK

Most of us on Herceptin had exchange surgery while on it.  Just make sure you are far enough out from the last chemo - I would wait 6-8 weeks.  I lost my left TE prior to chemo, so I actually had it replaced, expanded, and exchanged all while on Herceptin only.

formydaughter

Some MOs and PSs allow TE exchange between chemo hits (during a good week of a 3 wk cycle). I was given this option, before heading to Herceptin alone. I would not think that doing the surgery while on Herceptin alone would be problematic due to the Herceptin.

Lynndeidre

I think it is pretty standard to do exchange surgery while on herceptin. I had exchange on my left side about a month pfc. Still waiting on my right due to te loss.