ICD defibrillator and breast reconstruction options

Dviolet

This is what I have written in regard to this matter. I am located in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Please, I hope someone can help. I am at a loss after meeting with both a radiologist and plastic surgeon. No matter my options for treating my DCIS with microinvasion after two lumpectomies I seem to be stuck. You see I have an ICD implant, Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator.

First option: I was sure I had it decided that I didn't want radiation but mastec/reconstruction. This was confirmed when he said that my ICD implant is on the same side as the affected breast and would have to be moved to the other side. How? By splicing some wires? I understood that it couldn't be moved based on conversations with my heart surgeon prior to tge DCIS. Frankly, I don't want yet another surgery that would be a sort of emergency

Second Option: My plastic surgeon who is just setting up her own practice then tells me the length of the DIEP flap surgery is too long for the surgery. I have never had an incident where it has gone off, the ICD, as I had a cardiac ablation 1 year after the ICD. Second that the blood vessels she would have to reconnect are right by the device. I frankly think she is scared of it as she didn't know anything about how to handle it.

Third Option: An artificial implant requires tissue expanders, tissue expanders can put pressure on the device. From my own research, I see that it is the magnetism of the expanders causes the ICD issues. Again I don't think she knows what to do. She seems too inexperienced for me. Does ANYONE know a plastic surgeon who knows how to deal with an ICD implant? Time is wasting, I cannot plan my life or Christmas. I want it over, this is nuts. Even the radiologist said it is getting late for me to start treatment, it should have been started weeks earlier. Now I have to wait to see if it is my only option and if the ICD can be moved. I want to say again that I don’t want radiation, seems too risky to me and my odds are better with mastectomy

I will go wherever to have reconstruction with whomever. I am not the kind of person who can live with only one breast. I am larger, it is part of my identity and I am youngish. I need someone to do this and do it right.

Luckynumber47

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about your medical conditions but I do know, at least in the US, you don't have to do your reconstruction right away. Do the mastectomy like you want to and then take your time to find a good plastic surgeon. Never settle for less than the best.

Sending hugs,

Lucky

(edited for typos

Dviolet

Thank you for your reply. Diep flap reconstruction has to be done right away as the blood vessels are still alive and need to be reconnected.

I hope to find that one oddball like me that had the DIEP flap reconstruction