Has Anyone Heard this?

Pure · February 2010

I went to visit a plastic surgeoun He told me NO expanders until 6 months after rads. He said then I would have the expanders plus some skin taken from my back b-c he would need the skin.

B-c I have D boobs I don't quualify for the one step breasts implants.

He also said that some rad oncologists wont allow expanders b-c it can affect the fields.

But everything out of asco was get expander before rads for best outcome in terms of your implants.

I have such bad chemo brain and this stuff is so confusing. I

lexislove · February 2010

Every PS is different.

And, they all have their own opinion about what is right or wrong. There are a lot of woman who have had tissue expanders in place during rads. I am one of them.

I agree that tissue expanders can affect the rad field....but that is why you dont get fills during rads. You wait till rads are over, and the skin is feeling/looking better to continue. I waited 8 weeks post rads to continue with fills.

I was expanded to 250cc's starting rads.

Are you wanting to be a D cup with your final reconstruction? Is that the reasoning for the back thingy? What if you were to decide being a C cup?

Its up to you...just more surgery ect.

Second opinion might be a good idea too.

BTW: I was also a D cup. DD to my PS. I went to a C cup and its so...so...much better. Smile

Pure · February 2010

No I want small ones-small C;s ....How painful is the surgery to get the expander put in?

lexislove · February 2010

i had it at the same time as my mastectomy. So...not quite sure.

The fills will be sore though, especially with having rads. I would advise to go slow with the fills..maybe 50-60cc each appointment.

I was at 400cc's for my full C cup. but you are probably taller than me so you may need a little more.

Anonymous · February 2010

My wife was told at a time "no recon for 1.5 years after rads". After a year the beast came back as Stage IV so there's no recon at all, anywhen.

lexislove · February 2010

Yan,

sorry again about Olga..I hope she is doing well.

There is talk that later stage woman...should wait 2 yrs before doing reconstruction. Because of the whole recurence risk thing. That said, most woman do not wait that long. It's a personal decision.

I did wait for 22 months before doing my exchange surgery. I had my tissue expander placed March 27th 2008 and the exchange was 4 weeks ago, Jan 28th 2010. Why did I wait? First...I wanted my skin to heal as much as possible from rads. Second, because my tumor was very large...I waited for a "possible" recurrence. It never happened.

Anonymous · February 2010

Very reasonable. Thanks for the answer and the wishes.

everyminute · February 2010

Pure/Jen -

That sounds like the LAT FLAP surgery - Where they take your latimus muscles (sp?) to make breast, sometimes with implant underneath.

Many people have it, especially after rads but there are other options as well. Is the PS through Duke? I would get a good PS that specializes in bc cancer and then get a written description of each recommendation so you can investigate which option to go with.

shockedat39 · February 2010

It's tricky. I had expanders put in when I had my mx. I got them expanded throughout chemo and then had to have them "deflated" for radiation because they were in the way. Not completely deflated, but a lot. My PS was pissed and thought the rad oncologist could have worked around it, lol.

For the record, I have a C cup but, as you know, they have to go a bit larger on the expanders.

I had minimum discomfort with the pre-rads expansions but the ones after were awful because the skin was so much tighter. Maybe that's why your PS is going to take skin from your back?

Anyway, I don't know if there's any great way to do it. As much as having the expanders deflated sucked, I'm glad I didn't have to have an additional surgery to have them put in.

Good luck!

karen1956 · February 2010

Jen....there doesn't seem to be one way/standard to do recon....I had bilat with immediate recon...expanders put it at time of Mx....had fills during chemo.....after chemo rads....then 7 months later exchange surgery with silicone implants....PS watched me closely during rads to make sure skin was okay....rad onc did not ask for expanders to be deflated....I was expanded to 400cc....first set of implants were 300cc high profile...I now have 200cc mid profile....

If you are unsure about what this PS suggested, can you get a 2nd opinion? Hugs, Karen

Aim4th · February 2010

Pure,

I would get a second opinion, I had DD breasts and had a masectomy on the left side with an expander put in at the same time, then went through radiation and immediatly after rads they started filling the expander which is the worst part, I just had my implant echange in Jan and had a reduction on the right side, I am now a little C and love it, they are the perfect size, I will probly have to go back in one more time because my implant isnt dropping but compared to everything else that surgery was a breeze... good luck with things

lexislove · February 2010

Yes....fills after rads were not nice.

My first fill before rads...I had 250 cc's done. I was a little sore the first day but a Tylenol helped. After rads.....50 cc's and for 3-4 days I was wining and complaining. thats another reason why I took 22 months befor my exchange surgery...the fill appointments I did not enjoy. I just sucked it up and got to my 400 cc's which my PS told me would make me a full C cup. Done...finished. then took a break from hospitals ect.

I also had a lift and reduction on my left breast to match. So...so much better than my previous D cup. All my clothes fit nicer and the breasts sit nice and high.

pupfoster1 · February 2010

Hi Pure,

I personally hadn't heard this either and I had expanders put in during my mx. The team at Johns Hopkins never mentioned a concern about radiation (had surgery and plastics are there). They did say however they do NOT recommend implants for ladies that have radiation for 2 reasons---1) they are not permanent (life span of about 10-15 years) and 2) because of the high failure rate after rads (up to 1/3 fail w/in 3 years). I had DDD's myself and am actually looking forward to having some more manageable boobs, although is sure sucks having to do it this way!

Take care,

Sharon

Ainm · February 2010

Seessshh - I was wondering why my BS told me to wait 2 years before doig anything about reconstruction - didn't realise it was to allow for recurrence - he mustn't have much faith in me!!! Frown

Billynda · March 2010

Meh:( I hate not having boobs! I hate having cancer more though, so I'll wait as long s I have to... I had BARELY B's before my kids and was actually planning on implants (like D's) after I was done having babies. I guess I'll be lucky with whatever I get, someday. I hate the prosthetics too! Yesterday I went out to dinner with some family and there was a dance floor. My baby girl was having so much fun out there! I had to keep leaning down and guiding her to the outside of the dance floor though, so she didn't get trampled. I looked down and realized that I was "flashing" everyone because the bra was so heavy, it was not even touching my skin when I leaned over:( How embarrassing.

concernedsis · March 2010

Pure sis had immediate TE placement in September - filled by December then rads - she did really well until last few rads then the burns came - even worsened for a few weeks after rads stopped. Saw PS at height of burns and he said to be expected - plans on her implant going in 6 months. Once the burns closed over the skin is healing quickly thank God.

The rad onc said as long as the fills are finished b4 he did his calculations she would be fine.

Sis dislikes the TE - she feels its uncomfortable so the sooner the better!

Good luck hope the baby is well and bringing you joy!

Has Anyone Heard this?

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