Very Delayed Reconstruction?

I delayed my reconstruction for 3 years, in fact I'm still not done. My breast surgeon recommended that I not do reconstruction at the time because it simplified my healing from mastectomy. The reason I delayed it is because I received a very serious diagnosis and frankly I didn't know if I'd live too much longer. Since chemo has worked so well for me, everyone thought that if I wanted recon now, I should go for it.

As far as comparative results, that I don't know. I'm just happy to be here and so whatever it turns out to be, I'll be happy.

Check out Nihahi!

She had a free flap recon after 22(?) years! and is apparently delighted with the results

You can search her name or send her a message, but she usually is to be found on the "moving on after the flap" thread.

My Mx was December 2012, and I'm booked for a prophylactic Mx, and bilateral free flap reconstruction January 6.

I had delayed bilateral reconstruction with implants. Reconstruction was done 2 1/2 years after my modified radical mastectomy of the right breast and two years after my simple mastectomy of the left breast.

I was not interested in reconstruction at the time of my mastectomies because I was so glad to be rid of my over sized breasts that I rebounded and went totally flat for two years.

Because of the lag time between my mastectomies and reconstruction, I had totally recovered from the mastectomies and had regained strength and flexibility in my upper body.

Once I started thinking about reconstruction, I had time to research the various methods and spoke to 4 different reconstructive surgeons.

The surgeon I chose was highly skilled and had trained in reconstructive surgery at Sloan Kettering Cancer in NYC.

I breezed through the Tissue expander surgery (had 150 cc of saline placed in each side at the time of surgery). Because of a wide ribcage, I needed 800 cc implants to give me proper chest coverage. The additional saline was done in three additional fills of two 250 cc fills on each side and a third 150 cc fill on each side.

I would have a slight tightness in the chest after each fill for about 1 hour and then I was fine (no pain).

I delayed the exchange for several months because of vacation and holiday plans. The exchange was easy.

It took about 1 year for the implants to "drop and fluff."

The results are great. Many people are surprised to find out I have foobs. My appearance has been described as looking as if I wear an extremely well fitting and supportive bra.

I had delayed DIEP reconstruction after 3 years from my uni Modified Radical Mastectomy (non skin sparing) and wore a prosthesis until my recon. I'm glad I waited b/c I also had chemo and rads. My mental and physical health had a chance to heal. I'm very happy with my DIEP side. I never thought I would have recon but I learned to never say never!

Good Luck with your surgery and any treatments you may need.

Hi Tangandchris,

I was told that after radiation the affected skin and chest tissue can make implants difficult, so often the option of choice would be reconstruction with your own tissue, i.e. flap from tummy, back, buttock or thigh.