Nipple-,skin-sparing mx followed by rad.,reconstruction options

Anonymous · February 2016

0hnonotagain · February 2016

Hello everyone,

30 y.o. skinny young woman here, had quite successful nipple- and skin-sparing mastectomy on right breast 6 months ago, followed by radiation (with which I didn't have much problem). Not having much excess tissue for flap anywhere on my body, I'm really confused about reconstruction options. My bra size is 32B. The only possible solution seems latissimus dorsi flap with silicone implant, but I really don't have want to sacrifice that muscle. Please guide me...

Moderators · February 2016

Hi bchappens and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're sure you'll receive lots of support and advice here soon, but in the mean time, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Types of Reconstruction which explains extensively the many types of options out there. Hopefully there will be some other options for you!

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

0hnonotagain · February 2016

Thank you, moderator. I'm still confused - none of the options listed seems to work for me except LD flap reconstruction. There is also PAP/TUG flap option, but apparently very small percentage of PS are able to do that. Is there anyone here on this forum who already gone through my path? Anyone who got Alloderm + implant reconstruction instead of LD flap?

SpecialK · February 2016

You might inquire about receiving preliminary fat grafting (small amounts are needed, not usually a problem even if you are thin) to the radiated skin to prep it for reconstruction. This is a newer technique and the thought is that the fat helps repair the skin so it can stretch over an implant. Many PS also advise waiting a period of time after rads before attempting implant reconstruction - my understanding is that there is about a 50% failure rate going this route. I have had multiple skin excisions due to necrosis, so have had to proceed slowly - but have been successful with implant recon and fat grafting to help the skin - I did not have rads but my skin has been treated as if I did. Here are some threads to look at on a variety of subjects you inquired about - reconstruction, lat dorsi procedure, radiation, reconstruction:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics/836649?page=39#post_4636783

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics/744891?page=6#post_4628140

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/823278?page=27#post_4637523

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/840874?page=1#post_4631958

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/751135?page=129#post_4203207

Look at the signature lines of the posts to see who has had radiation, and what type of recon, if any, they did. Good luck!

Nipple-,skin-sparing mx followed by rad.,reconstruction options

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