Radiation, TE, timing

elise24601

1. How many weeks/months do docs wait between doing the initial bmx with expanders to beginning radiation treatment? And then from end of rads to the final exchange?

2. When they do the final exchange from TE to implants, do they go in through the old incision, or make a new one? If new, where is it? I assume they wouldn't want to reopen the old scar?

3. Are there ways to minimize the complications that rads poses to the reconstructed breast & skin? I recently heard about something called "Mepitel Film" for example.

Moderators

Hi elise! Bumping the thread in the hopes you'll get some answers soon!

Hope this helps,

--The Mods

Midwest

Elise,

I had unilateral mastectomy with TE and I did see the radiologist. She said they will wait for 8 weeks to finish the expansion before starting the radiotherapy. She did count the weeks, telling me this interval is within the ideal window for the treatment to be the most effective. Without the expanders, she would have recommended 4 to 6 weeks the most after surgery.

The plastic surgeon said we should wait at least 6 months after the radiation for the exchange.

I do not know the answers to your other questions. I hope this helps a little.

Have a good day.