TE during chemo?

Msmath

I went for my first visit with my PS today. She told me that she tries to get as many "fills" in prior to starting chemo and doesn't like to continue enlarging the TE's during chemo treatments. Is this normal? I didn't have a good vibe from her and I am thinking about finding a different PS but i really like the GS. Thoughts

VioletKali

I have the best Plastic Surgeon in my area for breast cancer reconstruction, and he also follows this policy. Filling the tissue expanders require a puncture, and he did not want to add any further stress to my body during chemo than I had to have. I am a Nurse and understood his rationale. To be honest, I was so ill during chemo that I would not have wanted fills anyway.

SpecialK

Any time you introduce a needle during chemo you run the risk of introducing infection due to your potential for reduced blood counts.  If you were to develop an infection at the site of the expander(s) you risk losing them, which would require surgery during chemo.  So, you not only lose your reconstruction, you possibly delay chemo for healing, and due to those low counts risk systemic infection.  Your PS is wise to do it this way.

Ilovecoasters

I'm smack in the middle of chemo and getting fills. It's miserable. I actually cancelled last week's fill appointment just to give myself a break.