First post...Implants after rads

SarahSs

Hi there,

I'm so sorry if this has already been answered - the number of posts is wonderful but also a bit overwhelming. I'm new to this site (as of a few minutes ago) and I'm having a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy on Jan 15 with tissue expanders. I'm just really nervous and would like to hear from others about implants after radiation. I had Stage 1 Triple Negative cancer in 2013 and had a tiny lumpectomy (so great as it was under my arm so you can't see it at all!) After finding out I have BRCA1 I am having the bmx. I don't have enough tissue for a diep and I don't want to use the lat dorsi as I rock climb. I have a D cup and want to stay a D cup. Is there a thread or anyone who successful had implants and a D cup after radiation? Also, someone said to come to this site because someone called Whippetmom could predict what size implants you need if you know your tissue expander size etc.

Sorry, any help or responses would be wonderful!

Sarah

SpecialK

Implant reconstruction after radiation can be problematic as radiated skin can be fragile and less able to stretch.  Some docs are using fat grafting to help strengthen skin that has been affected by radiation.  Being able to remain your current size after reconstruction may also be influenced by your physical features (height, weight, chest measurements, etc.) and the maximum size implants manufactured. Since you are scheduled for surgery I assume you have had plastic surgery consults - do the physicians you have spoken with feel like you can achieve the desired size after reconstruction, and that you are a good candidate for implant reconstruction after radiation?  Here is a link to the thread that whippetmom advises on.  Read the header carefully, you may need to wait until your surgery to have some of the info, or your plastic surgeon may be able to supply you with the expander info in advance:

 https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/746448?page=450#post_4586604

SarahSs

Thank you so much for responding SpecialK. I have had a lot of consults and I can never seem to get a definitive answer - which I understand, but it's tough always getting the response: "Quite possibly". So, they say they believe the reconstruction will work and there is roughly a 20% chance of failure. They think I can get my D cup but it DEPENDS on how well everything stretches. I know I shouldn't be worried about this but the idea that I will have to get all my clothes adjusted and look different in clothes bothers me. Even though I'm pretty tiny, I have big hips and at the moment my breasts give me a nice hourglass shape, which will be a pear if I have a smaller cup size!! I've always thought my breasts were my best feature, so this is all a bit sad

Thanks for the link!

SarahSs