Considering explantation (regional anesthesia, no general?)

naps

hello,

I am about 18 months post unilateral mastectomy with a tissue expander, and I think I'm coming around to feeling that I really just want to get it removed and go flat on that side instead of continuing with reconstruction. Not a good candidate for exchange bc of radiation, and I have no interest in a flap surgery anymore...don't want to be under anesthesia that long, don't see the point of going through all that (including adjustments on the other side, etc)...for what? It will never look like or feel like a real breast with my shirt off, and I can wear a prosthesis under clothing if that seems important. I just don't take my shirt off much in front of anyone anyway...just w my dh, and he doesn't care at all. And after all that I have already adjusted to, I believe I will be able to adjust to seeing myself in the mirror, shower, etc.

Wondering if anyone has had an explantation done without a general anesthetic? I would like to get this done at a place where they do these procedures under regional anesthesia (nerve blocks). I really would prefer not to go under general again if I can help it. Can anyone recommend a place and/or a plastic surgeon who does lots of explantations? I probably will not go back to my original PS.

Also curious to hear from anyone who has made a similar decision to get the TE removed and go flat. (Interestingly, I get a vibe from my med onc that she thinks not proceeding with recon would be a mistake.)

Thanks!

Lula73

I completely respect your decision but know that flap breasts can and do feel like the real thing. At least mine do. I think you can get the expanders removed in a quick outpatient surgery. They may be able to do just some IV Ativan and Versed and call it done.

naps

Hi Lula73,

Thanks for your input. What I meant was that there would (still) be no sensation, as opposed to how it feels to touch. My PS did assure me that after a flap it would be "hard to tell apart" from the real thing. Sounds like you have had a satisfactory experience in that regard, which is great. It definitely seems like a good option for some people. I would be having a lat flap done, which still requires a small implant according to my PS. I guess even if it did feel like the real thing, it just is starting not to seem worth it to me anymore. I think I was in a damage control mode when I was figuring out what to do at the time of Mx, and now I've had more time to reflect.

Cowgirl13

Hi naps, I was just talking to my best friend this morning about this. She had mastectomy and had, I believe, a tissue expander put in. She had been really uncomfortable with the expander and had it removed a week later. What she did find afterwards it that the the expanders or removing of them, caused her to have a somewhat hole in her chest and is waiting for it to heal. Every case is different and I don't want to cause unnecessary anxiety. Perhaps you might ask if something like that might be a possibilty in your case. Not that it would stop you from doing the procedure. BTW, my friend is going to go back to being flat and is very comfortable with her decision.