Reconstruction after 10 years

smithlme

After having triple negative breast cancer and a mastectomy in 2007, a failed tram in 2008, being diagnosed 369 days after my first diagnosis with DCIS in 2008, followed by a second mastectomy and major scar revision surgery in 2010 I thought I was “done.” Lately I’ve been wondering if there’s anything I can have done. I saw my old plastic surgeon this week and was told because of my scar revision and flat chest that implants are definitely out of the question. She is sending me to see two other plastic surgeons to talk about TUG reconstruction. This is where they take skin from the inside of your upper thigh. I would still have implants with this procedure.

macb04

Well, what about Fat Grafting to loosen the skin up/ slowly build a small breast mound? That is doable for many women.

Here's some of my story. Had uni mx.L, with subpectoral TE. Was going to get DIEP, but changed my mind.

Then had TE removed while doing Fat Grafting 2 times. The PS didn't know what he was doing, so had a nasty infection and lost most of the Grafted Fat. I wound up with an adhesion that made my chest look like a weird lumpy crater.

Then had Fat Grafting with a different PS, but still had poor fat retention due to radiation fibrosis damage, so switched to a 3rd new PS who was experienced in doing Implant Reconstruction. I talked him into doing a Prepectoral Implant Reconstruction ( over my Pectoral Muscle) So had a new Prepectoral TE for about 6 months as we very slowly stretched my skin, and the switched it out to a 495cc Mentor Textured Anatomical Silicone Implant. He made a mistake, and picked too small an implant, so I am still lopsided, but can pass in a bra and clothes. I should have had a 560cc size implant, instead of the 495cc I have to match my real Right.

So the crater I had is gone, and looks normalish in low light. So I would think it is doable for you with implants, if you are willing to go through a few procedures. You need to shop around , get second and third opinions.

Hope that gives you some encouragement.

smithlme

Thank you for the response. The thought of another surgery scares me, after already having 8. There’s also the possibility of another failure, and I’m not 100% sure I want to go through the disappointment again. The scar revision I had in 2010 is amazing. I have two appointments with 2 different plastic surgeons on the 24th. I plan to go in open minded, have lots of questions written down and see what they each tell me. There may be nothing they can do so I’ll have to wait and see.