breast reconstruction after Masectomy

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adina65
adina65 Member Posts: 24
edited March 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

I would like some opinions on when most women started reconstruction after a mastectomy . I 'm 8 weeks out of surgery and can't stand these expanders in me. Would love to hear from women if they have been in the same boat and estimated time of when they began their reconstruction.

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  • muska
    muska Member Posts: 1,195
    edited March 2016

    Hi Madina, maybe you need to clarify your question. I say you have expanders - that's the start of the reconstruction. The expanders will have to be filled in to get you to the size you agree on with your plastic surgeon. The next and hopefully the last step is to replace the expanders with a permanent implant.

    Are you asking about when you can start getting your expanders filled in?

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  • adina65
    adina65 Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2016

    Yes, I would like to know on average how long women usually wait to get implants inserted after having the expanders in? I'm now 6 weeks out of surgery and still trying to get set up for Proton therapy to my lymphatic system only. After the 5 1/2 weeks of proton radiation, how long do women usually wait to get the implants inserted.? These expanders are so painful and uncomfortable. I can't stand them.

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  • ajbenefield12
    ajbenefield12 Member Posts: 23
    edited March 2016

    I had mine in for almost a year. I had to wait till after chemo and rads. My PS likes to wait 4-6 months after rads to give skin time to heal. I waited 5 months after rads to have the exchange surgery.

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  • adina65
    adina65 Member Posts: 24
    edited March 2016

    Thank you for the info. That makes sense. I haven't even started my surgery as yet. I noticed in your treatment that your were also IIB, with 2cm. Mine was 2.8 cm and I was Grade 1, with 1 out of 9 nodes. I was told no chemo but awaiting to do radiation hopefully proton therapy. It has to pass through my insurance. Geez. How were they able to just take out 2 nodes? Once they saw I had 1 node affected they took the surrounding ones. Tell me how you stood having those expanders in for so long. They are driving me crazy.

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