Reconstruction after radiation

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Cici566
Cici566 Member Posts: 22
edited April 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello,

I have not found any conversations about having reconstruction with TE's after radiation and what to expect or feel. My radiation was complete in September of 2014. I had fat grafting in in Sept. 2015 and had my TE's placed in February of 2016. I am healthy and my skin looks good. Healthy side is expanding fine. My radiated side is ok. Skin is holding up but I noticed that I have some broken capillaries on the side and it hurts. Feels like my skin is burned or there is a rash and it stings. I like my PS. and we are going very slow but I just would love to hear other peoples experiences with TE's and implants with radiated skin.

He told me the last time that it was up to me how much he would expand. He is not going on numbers. He said once I decided what I was happy with then he would have to expand 2-3 more times. I think if I go one more time I will be what I was before. I certainly don't want to hurt the radiated side. Any experience or insight would be great.

Thank you.

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited April 2016

    Hi Cici566, I.had TE initially under my pectoral, after uni mx. Thought I would do DIEP. Changed my mind, did fat grafting with PS not very experienced, especially on women who had rads damage. He took out the TE, when doing the fat grafting. Had 2 bad infections because of the rads damage. I was burnt to a crisp. Had severe rad fibrosis. Did Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy(HBOT ) a whole bunch of times, then got new PS who put a new TE in OVER my pectoral muscle. My skin finally healed because of a combo of fat grafting, HBOT, and Pentoxifylline and Vitamin E. I now have a 495cc high profile Anatomic MENTOR implant over my pectoral muscle. He used Seri Silk Scaffolding to anchor my implant. I am going to get a 3D nipple tattoo this summer. So yes it can be done after rads. PM for more info if you want.

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  • Tapanga
    Tapanga Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2016

    I didn't feel a thing. Had unilateral mastectomy Feb 15 (with a TE that got infected so all that came out which I think in the end was a blessing). Went through raditaion and for whatever reason didn't have any issues until the end when my skn really started it itch and burn and become sore. I did what they suggested including exercise to fight the fatique (I did some sort of exercise 6/7 days a week) which I really think kept my energy up and get through work, etc. with minimal issue. My plastic surgeon wouldn't do anything for at least 6 months after radiation to let the skin and tissue completely heal. Late Nov 2015 I had lat flap surgery on that side with a TE over the pec muscle and it never hurt except for the expected soreness after surgery. I didn't feel the needle for the fillups, I was never sore after a fill up. It took me a little more than 2 months to fill up, 60 CC at a time until things looks right then just a little more as my PS said it was better to have a little extra skin to work with than not enough. It was hard to be patient sometimes when one boob was way bigger than the other! Each person is different - glad you are hanging in there and being patient, make sure you continue to ask your doctor if you have any concerns, that's why they're there!

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