Tissue expander “rejection”

WAJ

My sister finished chemo in April & Surgeon started filling TE in June. She had an extremely difficult time with chemo side effects, including LE, Neuropathy & a PE. After last tissue expansion a small “hole” with drainage developed at Mastectomy scar site. After surgical correction, same wound opened up & again drainag. One month later she is diagnosed with shingles. I feel that Surgeon should automatically deflate & remove TE. I think her body is reacting to TE like a breast implant. Has anyone else had similar experience with TE? I don’t understand why Surgeon don’t wait at least 6 mo to 1 yr to allow body to heal from chemo

CBK

WAJ

That's so upsetting for your sister. Generally chemo doesn't adversely affect reconstruction process like say radiation would. But your sister had alot of issues to contend with. I had the same think happen, I sprung a pore sized leak and my PS put me on antibiotic immediately and removed expander. We went straight to LD flap and PS placed an implant in that side .

I did not delay any of my reconstruction process though because of chemotherapy. My body was not rejecting tissue expander my skin was always thin and circulation was just compromised on that side after BMX.

WAJ

CBK

Thank you so much for your reply & sharing your experience. I actually shared your reply with my sister. She decided to have her expander removed & her mastectomy site has finally healed.