Hi!

I have been thru the gamut on this! 

After two stereotactics, two lumpectomies and rads my BC breast is half the size of my healthy breast (I would say BC side is a distorted A cup size and healthy is a very non-full B cup size - my breasts are also a little tuberous in shape). 

I did a lot of research on fat grafting and really wanted to go this way but insurance would not cover it.  When I had my check up with my surgeon, she asked how it was all going and I told her after several appeals it was declined again so I was lost, only 50 years old and did not want to be like this for another 30 years, did not want to fuss with mastectomy bras and fillers, etc.  She was furious about the whole thing and set me up with Lahey's reconstruction PS who specializes in cancer breast reconstruction (he is also a micro-surgeon).

In his opinion, he did not think I would have been happy with just fat grafting because of the size and asymetry - they are way off and the radiated side is not pretty - nipple even tucked under.  He is doing a breast lift and implants (silicone, under the muscle) on February 24 and I personally cannot wait.  I feel like I wake up every morning - take my shower and am constantly reminded of my journey..........I don't think I or anyone else should forget the BC journey but I don't need to look at my poor breast like that every day!  LOL

I have complete faith in him - he is highly recommended by my surgeon (she said he is the only one she would personally go to or refer her family/friends to), my radiologist (not from Lahey but he knows of him) and my hematology oncologist.

I would love to be fuller and larger but he said I most likely will walk away with 100-150ccs (because of the damage done by radiation he will not go large) - should bring me back to my B cup but I think it will be fuller due to the implant and lift.

I will keep you all posted as to how it goes.  Hope possibly others who have had this done will respond to this thread. 

Thank you for posting!

I found this PS group looks very promising.

Miami Breast Center

If you've had a lumpectomy, a wedge resection or a quadrantectomy, we can reconstruct your breast with no incisions and no scars. We understand that you've been through an emotional roller coaster, so we are here to do what we can to bring balance, harmony and comfort into your life. In most cases, lumpectomy patients will need to receive radiation as prescribed by her oncologist. Using traditional methods, a radiated breast is difficult to reconstruct.

However, our method of fat grafting, together with the use of our external expander BRAVA, has proven to be uniquely successful. The results are as close to perfect as possible. We make our reconstruction decisions based on the individual patient needs, but it is our goal to help you reclaim what you lost to cancer….your natural looking and feeling breast.

Breast Reconstruction Insurance Coverage

By law, insurance companies are required to cover the costs of breast reconstruction at any time after mastectomy. This includes any surgery required for symmetry of the opposite breast as well. We are very in experienced in working with all the major insurance companies. We will work closely with you in order to keep your out of pocket expenses to a minimum. Please contact our office for assistance. Please include your health insurance information.

Thanks SpecialK -

Hi Bluewillowsky:  My surgeon specializes in breast reconstruction after cancer/radiation.  I THINK there may be a difference in going to a regular PS and one that specializes in reconstruction but I could be wrong there.  I know that he plans to dissect a lot of muscle/tissue, my implants will be under the muscle and I need a lift as well.  He has never once expressed concern using a silicone implant in the radiated breast and thinks it will be fine but this is his expertise. 

I know what you mean about the deformity.....my nipple is turned under and my actual breast is probably now more than half the size of my healthy breast.  I don't feel very good about myself right now, very sad.

I go in Feb 24 and will make sure to post so everyone who wants to can follow and see how it goes.

Bluewillowskys & Dogsneverlie,

Thanks for sharing your stories. I will be finishing my rads next Tues. (yippee!). Feeling pretty tired but overall I'm good. Definite shrinkage on rad breast, I'll have to wait and see if there will be any other changes, someone told me some that the breast can continue to change over time.

Good luck to both of you and please post any new info you may have.

Sometimes I think mine is still shrinking too!  I'm like "really, how much smaller can you get girl"!!!!!!!!

If I lift both arms above my head, the rad side pulls big time...........I will be honest with you girls, inside I am afraid the implant won't work.........like it will be rejected or something but I truly feel my surgeon would have said as much.....just me being afraid....

Wow 48%!!!!! Thats seems way higher then I may want to risk. I know some have rejectionsor infections but have not heard of anyone left without a reconstructed breast at all. Where did that statistic come from ?

in my case i had lumpectomy, then rads and now would like the mastectomy and implant ....if my radiated tissue is removed would then my implant have less complication then that 50 % do you think? My skin didnt have much damage on the exterior from the rads other than a nice tan...lol Its been 4 years since then and the only damage i notice is the hardened C shape of tissue around my breast from the rads and my nipple/areola have thickened some. I want the mastectomy/implant because after the lump/rads I was left pretty deflated and sagging and the hard tissue feels painful. Im still angry that i wasnt told the effects rads would leave on me when they said i needed it and that it may compromise my future ability for recon. I did physical therapy for the muscle tightness after my treatment asmy range of motion was affected too.

the flaps surgery really scare me...i know of several people who had them and they failed and they had massive infections, loss of tissues/skin, etc.....one gal has a big lawsuit pending against her surgeons...she has to have a huge amount of surgery to repair the damage they caused to her. I thought about the DIEP but my tummy skin is covered with stretch marks and the length of the surgery could cause prob with my heart condition...i would rather stick to the implant route because its been done for far longer.