How many surgeries does reconstruction take?

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Libby1223
Libby1223 Member Posts: 19
edited September 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I am having neoadjuvant chemo for a larger tumor so my mastectomy and reconstruction are still months down the road, but I've been noticing that most women have had multiple surgeries.  Is this common?  My surgeons made me think that I would have two surgeries total, bilateral mastectomy with placement of TEs and then removal of TEs with implant placement.  They didn't discuss more after this.  Are multiple surgeries due to complications? 

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited September 2014

    Two for me. I would have had another but opted for 3D nipples. 

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited September 2014

    Mine was prophylactic so different situation, but I only had one so far as I went direct to implant. I am seeing my PS soon and will discuss possibly doing a small outpatient procedure to remove a bit of extra skin via a scar revision that remains on the breast that was larger before surgery. In my case it's more of my cosmetic touch up, even though then it would put me in category of two surgeries, the latter being a revision.

    Additional surgeries can be due to complications, like infection or flap failure, but it can also be to refine cosmetics, like for nipple recon, to remove "mud flaps", to swap implants for another size or model, etc.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited September 2014

    if you are having TE's, theoretically, two surgeries, but there are many reasons why some women need more. Women who have complications or are unhappy with the outcome tend to post much more than those who don't, so you may get a skewed view by reading on line experiences. I hap one step implants which turned out well. They were placed immediately after bmx and I was done. This is not everyone's experience.

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  • Libby1223
    Libby1223 Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2014

    exbrnxgrl, I see you also had radiation after surgery.  I'm a little confused about that too.  They keep saying they are not sure if I will need radiation yet, but I'm not sure when they decide this.  Did you have any problems with radiation after your surgery or was this not an issue for you?  My plastic surgeon seemed a little concerned about radiation and reconstruction.

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  • Staple
    Staple Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2014

    I had bad scarring in my initial surgery.  My PS thought he would fix in the second surgery, but ultimately didn't want to do it at the same time as the exchange.  The scarring was bad to the point I wouldn't be able to get nipple tattoos, so I had a third surgery for that with additional fat grafting.   My PS said 'revisions are common' and he could do additional for a 'dent' I have if I wanted. 

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  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited September 2014

    I've had multiple surgeries, and forsee another in my future. I had a BMX two years ago, followed by radiation. I waited 7 months before having my TEs exchanged for implants, unfortunately, had capsular contracture on my rads side. So, 6 months later, I had surgery to remove the scar tissue, and replaced the implant with a smaller one. Well, I was still experiencing discomfort and could feel my tissue stiffening up again. I went to a different PS, who removed both implants, cleaned up the scar tissue again, and exchanged my round implants for anatomicals. I wanted to do a DIEP reconstruction, but my CT scan showed my veins were very small, and he felt I'd have healing issues. I didn't want a lat flap, so it was implants again. After the surgery, he said my skin and muscle are extremely thin, and he couldn't even do fat grafting to help. If I have healing or infection complications, my only option will be the lat flap. I think most women do fine, but be sure to get a good PS, who you trust, and then make an informed decision. I wish you the best as you continue on this journey.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited September 2014

    Libby,

    My rads were to my bone mets, not the breast area.

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  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited September 2014

    I had delayed bilateral reconstruction.  Two surgeries (TEs placed and then the exchange).  I opted for aerola grafting and nipples, so a third simple surgery.

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  • angelfaith456
    angelfaith456 Member Posts: 83
    edited September 2014

    Three surgeries for me..First bilateral mastectomy, TE's placed..Second will be exchange and third aerola and nipples..

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  • dayzoo
    dayzoo Member Posts: 55
    edited September 2014

    Three for me so far.  Lat Dorsi Recon with expander.  Second surgery was exchange for implant, and a lift on my native side.  Third surgery was to lift my native side more (it drooped and was uneven) and a nipple recon.  I'm 3 weeks out from the latest one...will see how this looks in a while.  If needed, I will endure a 4th to make sure all looks good.  My PS is very patient, and wants me to be as happy as I can be with the results.  

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