Considering reconstruction one procedure or more than one?

Jade645

My mom is considering reconstruction... she is having a uni lateral mastectomy.

Most of the things I have read on here seems most people have to go back for at least a second procedure related to having the implants put in or matching the implant to the existing breast.

Where you able to get it done in all at the same time (mastectomy/ reconstruction) or did you have to go under more than once?

SpecialK

If your mom is thinking of having reconstruction with implants I would say that the majority of patients that have what is called immediate reconstruction have an expander placed, filled with saline injections over time, then another surgery to exchange for silicone or saline implants.  There are direct to implant surgeries, where an implant is placed right after the mastectomy, but these are less commonly done.  Which procedure is used has a number of variables - the preference of the plastic surgeon and proficiency in both procedures, the size of the breast being replaced - since the muscle is not being stretched there is a limit to how big an implant can be placed, whether symmetry can be achieved with a direct to implant surgery, and other physical characteristics of the patient that determine whether she is a good candidate for which type of surgery.  I would encourage your mom to speak to her breast surgeon, and also several plastic surgeons who specialize in both types of procedures to see which type of surgery would be best for her.

Jade645

My mother did meet with the plastic surgeon yesterday. I live far away and am trying to support from a distance. I will go down when she actually has the procedure... but she walked out thinking it was a one and done kind of procedure and most of the stories I seem to read on here seems to indicate that it takes at least a couple procedures to get the desired outcome.

Her general surgeon also seems to be an ass as he implied that she was "vain" and overly worried about her appearance for wanting to even meet with a plastic surgeon. Her doctor thinks given her age (68) she thinks she is being silly and delaying her treatment by even researching plastic surgery. I can't believe the obstacles and attitudes she is experiencing from her own health care team.. they seem to make everyhing more difficult than it already is.