Dilemma on timing of reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemo.

layle

I have a dilemma here. I am currently on Neo-adjuvant chemo and surgery should be coming up in about a couple of months. I was hoping to have bmx then immediate reconstruction, 3 weeks after finishing chemo. However after consultation with PS, he said they usually wait 6 weeks after chemo to do reconstruction. If 3 weeks, there is the risk of infection and my immune system at 3 weeks might not be good yet, if infection happens he would have to remove the TE. With that being said, he is still willing to do it at 3 weeks but wanted me to know the risk involve. I also didn't want to wait too long for the bmx as there could be a risk of the tumor spreading cancer cells.

Anyone who has done Neo-adjuvant chemo, how long did you wait after finishing chemo to have your surgery and reconstruction? And any explanation about your choice. Thanks.

Almosthere

I finished neoadjuvent chemotherapy on Jan 4'16 and I had bilateral mastectomies with immediate implant reconstruction 4 weeks later on Feb 2'16. I'm doing fine! I think as long as your blood work is normal you will be fine! I was put on antibiotics post op "just in case". I didn't even miss a dose of Herceptin/Perjeta! Things were timed perfectly

Skittlegirl

I am having radiation, so reconstruction will be delayed. I finished chemo on 1/13 and had my BMX on 2/11, so about 4 weeks later. My BS was fine with it. My ENT surgeon who took out my thyroid wanted to wait longer, but was on board once he heard my BS was fine with the date. I didn't want STD to send me back to work between chemo ending and surgery, so that's why I didn't want to wait too long before surgery.

Trvler

I had my last chemo on Aug 11 and my surgery on Sept 1. I did pretty well during chemo though. My counts were never that bad and I felt ok. I worked out the entire time which helped my energy levels tremendously.

rainnyc

I finished chemo on September 4 and had surgery on Sept. 22. I was told that because of the particulars of my case and the need to do radiation after surgery, it would be better to wait until I'd healed from the rads--6-9 months. So I'm hoping for a plastic surgery consult sometime this summer. It has been 3+ months since finishing rads, and I can tell I'm still healing. Wouldn't want anyone touching that area with a scalpel yet.