Immediate or delayed reconstruction?

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kathy744
kathy744 Member Posts: 12
edited February 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I have been diagnosed with two cancers in my left breast. One IDC and one DCIS, they are close enough that I've been told that I'm a candidate for a lumpectomy however I would lose 1/2 of the breast tissue and would definitely need radiation, also the odds are too high of a re-occurrence for me to choose that path. I have decided to go ahead with a mastectomy, my surgeon strongly recommends delayed reconstruction due to possible chances of complications or me still needing radiation. I'm meeting with a plastic surgeon next week to get his opinion.

I guess I'm looking for feedback. Has anyone had problems with immediate reconstruction? Which way has the best recovery?


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  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited February 2015

    I had the mastectomy and the tissue expander placed at the same time and have not had any problems. But, I did not have to have radiation. Since this is the only way I had it done, I cannot say for certain, but in reading these boards, I think you likely do have more discomfort when the expander is placed at the same time as the surgery. I know that whenever I complained to my doctor, I was told that was the expander causing the discomfort. Now, that said, I am glad I had the surgery the way I did because then, after my fills were done, I had my exchange and that eliminated one surgery.

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2015

    I had delayed reconstruction at my BS request. I think mainly because it was difficult too coordinate BS and PS schedules, but also because we weren't sure of treatment plan. I had absolutely no problems recovering from BMX and am having TE placement surgery on March 19. The upside is I'm healed up and feel great, the downside is an extra surgery.

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  • katcar0001
    katcar0001 Member Posts: 621
    edited February 2015

    I had just a mastectomy. My surgeon does not advocate doing both simultaneously--too much risk for complications due to a longer surgery and possibility of infection. And then I also had that possibility of needing rads, so that factored in. I am not sure now if I will reconstruct or not. I may just keep with a prosthetic. I am going to investigate the Brava and fat grafting route. I am small breasted, so I may be more of a candidate for it than most women. I want to avoid more surgery if possible. Good luck with your decision!

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