TE/implant recon after radiation

Red_R

****surgery canceled- update in reply******

Hello!

I'm looking for some advice. At the time of my dx, I met with 2 different PS before the mastectomy. I was in a small town and both were in the same practice. The first said he was hesitant to attempt recon because of my weight (270#, size 22/24, no other issues besides cancer). The second said that while neither of them did DIEP, he probably would in about 6 months and would try it then, (err no) but wouldn't try a TE. A couple of days later he contacted the breast surgeon and said he would try the TE, but never called me after saying no and I was so overwhelmed I said forget it and just did the mx.

Fast forward to now and I've moved to Southern California with a lot more options. I've been through the ringer and am afraid of surgery but the prostheses are hot, I have flaps on the sides that get flopped over my bra with huge red marks that hurt and are numb at the same time, and came to realize that 90% off the shirts and dresses I try on need a camisole. I'm ready to consider recon.

I went to a plastic surgeon out of San Diego fully expecting him to tell me to lose weight (and tell me how much) and tell me TE and implant probably wouldn't work. (The flap surgeries are so involved and while I would rather have a natural breast- I'm daunted by the recovery and undergoing that long of a surgery since I had a pulmonary embolism after rads) He told me my skin looked great, weight isn't a problem and he thinks we will get a good result with implants although they'll be smaller than I was originally- I'll look balanced. Had the pre-op this week and TE placement scheduled for April 7th. Looks like TE for 2 months with fills then rest a month then exchange for silicone implants. (Maybe that's too fast for fills?)No discussion yet of type or size- need to see how I stretch and may have to lat flap on radiated side.

I read the fine print and am concerned about going through surgery again, "should I put myself through this right now" - will there be better options later, etc. Not too worried about them looking awful- what I have right now looks pretty rough.

Any words of wisdom?

ETA- I guess what I'm asking for is: are you happy with yours? Wish you hadn't done it? Maybe I'm just needing to write things down and talk them out a little.

Red_R

update- surgery canceled anyway. My boss is giving me a hard time for taking the time off. She said it's my decision but keeps making comments about it and worrying about it "but it's my decision". We only get 5 days off paid per yearthe first 2 years at this job and I've taken 3 already with having to go to Loma Linda for referrals for the Pet-CT abnormalities (finally biopsied and benign). In my second year now.

I put the request in last month and it was approved. Did all pre-op appts and tests on lunch breaks.

Maybe later- the last thing I need to worry about is my job security through all this. It's hard enough as it is. I'm already worried about it and more comments this morning was just the last straw on it. She's the only one that knows I had cancer here and I plan to keep it that way.

Sorry for the vent.

gracie22

You deserve the vent! It so sucks to have to deal with all of this and stress about holding down a job as well. I understand and respect your intention to keep your medical issues private at work. I did not have TEs, had a direct to implant surgery so can't comment on the speed of the fills, but 2 months sounds very fast from what I have read of others' experiences on these boards; fills are generally over several months. Suggest that you ask people on the boards for plastic surgeon recommendations for your area of California and go from there. How long have you been working at this job? if you have worked there for 12 months for 1250 hours a year, you are allowed to take leave under FLMA if your employer has 50 employees or more. It is not paid leave (beyond whatever sick/vacation leave you have earned), but because the reconstruction is related to breast cancer the time may be allowable regardless of what your boss says. Good luck!