skin/nipple saving MX with TE before radiation

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tmulholl
tmulholl Member Posts: 10
edited July 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all --

Has anyone out there had a skin/nipple saving mastectomy combined with immediate tissue expander placement, prior to radiation? I need to make a decision about this vs. conventional MX today. Both ok'd by doctors on the cancer treatment front. Still on the fence about trade-offs between possibility of better aesthetic outcome with TE, vs. risk of complications and more surgeries. Final reconstruction would happen 6 months after radiation. I've already had 6 rounds of neo-adjuvant chemo with great results.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

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  • westiemom
    westiemom Member Posts: 174
    edited July 2015

    Congrats! You are almost done!!! I am 5 years out!!!!

    Yes, I had a bi-lateral, nipple/skin sparing but elected to not do expanders because after six surgeries (lumpectomy, bi-lateral oophorectomy (i'm brca positive), mastectomy, port in, port out, etc) I was so done, so I went to immediate implants and have lived happily ever after - I like my new boobs. I had a great experience too but I highly recommend you do the expanders, this will insure your breast are rounded with a lower chance of scar tissue. Ask the doctor if this in anyway harms blood flow to the nipple area when the expanders are removed for the implants. I doubt it since they will not replace the implants thru the nipple area, but ask just in case.

    I have a very small divot on my lower left breast, it's scar tissue, not really noticeable unless I place my arm over my head and stretch it all the way back (saw it when I was towel drying after a shower). I can see the divot but I just noticed it after 5 years (my sweet husband says "that tiny thang, why you can hardly see it" lol) but when my arms are in normal placement, all looks well.

    I'm certain if I would have gone thru with the expanders I probably wouldn't have that small divot. Honestly, the chemo was the hardest part of it all, didn't tolerate chemo like I thought I could, it took me down hard, the mastectomy and oophorectomy was not as bad.

    Just know, you will lose some strength in your upper body but you will slowly regain it, as soon as you feel better start stretching your upper body.

    You are almost there!! Yay!! I am really excited for you!!! Please keep us posted, message me - reach out if you need to chat.

    Best of luck to you!! Take good care of yourself!!

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited July 2015

    I had nipple sparing and am very happy with the results. If you have any particular questions please ask.

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