Reconstruction after radiation/chemo?

Paintersdream

I am wanting to hear from ladies who have had reconstruction after going through chemo, radiation and hormone therapy. My surgeon recommends that I wait and do not do any reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy. I have ILC in 2 areas of my my left breast and require a mastectomy. My right breast is clear so I have opted to remove only one breast. Unfortunately, I do have 4 auxiliary lymph nodes positive for cancer. My mastectomy is scheduled for July 31. I have the option of delaying with my surgeon to speak with an plastic surgeon on whether I am a candidate for at least delayed immediate reconstruction. Having a partially filled tissue expand-er which can be removed later after radiation.

What has been your experience with delayed reconstruction after radiation/chemo/hormone therapy.

Lula73

generally they want you to wait 6 months minimum after rads. Alternatively, if you went with DIEP flap or SGAP flap recon instead of implantsyou could do that at time of mx and have rads after.

OCDAmy

I had BMX with TEs, chemo, rads and AI.Was planning on getting implants but my rads breast had quite a bit of skin damage and my PS thought an implant would not work so I had DIEP and am pleased with results. I know it's possuble to do rads on a radiated breast but I'm glad I waited, I wouldn't want to damage this new skin.

carmstr835

I had bilateral mastectomy chemo and rads. My PS wanted to wait till 6 months after rads and 6 weeks after targeted therapy (Hrcepton & Perjeta).