3 doctors 3 different recon paths

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2017 in Breast Reconstruction
3 doctors 3 different recon paths
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  • Sjsparks
    Sjsparks Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    I am beyond frustrated and tired. I had bilateral mastectomy March 30. I had TE placed and filled to 300 cc on both sides at the time of surgery. I have had one additional fill of 65cc. My TE's can hold 450cc.

    surgeon 1 says I'm done and now is time for the exchange.

    surgeon 2 says 2 more fills and the implants will need to be on the larger size like 550 cc or more (due to how wide my chest is and the size of my original breast)

    surgeon 3 says she doesn't recommend implants at all for me because of how big the implants will need to be for me to be proportionate. She says she does not like to work with "over sized" implants.

    I am just very confused on which path I should go. Is the larger implants really not a good idea? I was a D before surgery and have made it clear that I don't want to be a D after recon.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    SJS - I do hope you are talking about plastic surgeons and not just breast surgeons. There is a tremendous difference. That said, I too wanted to be smaller and my PS listened. I did NOT go larger. But I also went with anatomical because I wanted to look the most natural for me. Also I wanted to be able to pull on my clothes & go & still look "the same" (ha ha) and I wasn't interested in prosthetics in our Texas heat.

    Just a question, since you're HER2+, why didn't they add Herceptin to your chemo?

    There are so many other issues & decisions involved that I encourage you to post your question to WhippetMom on the 'Breast Implant Sizing' thread. Read the entire header first and then include the physical specifications requested. If you read some of the posts, you'll get a feel for what other women are thinking. There's no rush. Take your time before finalizing your decision.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...


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  • peyton3
    peyton3 Member Posts: 43
    edited June 2017

    Why do you have three surgeons? I had my implants put in last year in May and have been miserable ever since. I too was very clear that I wanted to stay the same size which was a b cup and then my surgeon put in 500cc implants. I am 5ft and weigh about 125 very small frame. I would think that going smaller would be a plus for you but then who knows what is in a PS mind.

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  • Sjsparks
    Sjsparks Member Posts: 20
    edited June 2017

    Hi Minus Two

    I did get Herceptin, and actually still am until November. I go every 3 weeks. I wonder why it did not get added. Yes ma'am these are plastic surgeons, My breast surgeon told me she is not fond of the DIEP Flap procedure.

    I will take a look at the link you posted and reach out to WhippetMom.


    Thanks for our help!

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    You might also want to do some reading on the "exchange" thread. Good luck.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited June 2017

    sjsparks- just curious if you asked the ps why they're not fond of the DIEP flap procedure. Sometimes it's because they themselves don't do them and would be a loss of business. Sometimes the ones they've seen were done by microsurgeons who weren't very skilled. Done right, the DIEP flap looks and eventually feels very natural. Breasts are warm and soft and they move with you. No issues finding bras either. Recovery is longer but in my opinion it's worth it. The best microsurgeons for DIEP are in New Orleans. People travel from all over the world to have their recon done there. Failure, infection and complication rates for the group in NOLA are well below the national average as well. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I had my DIEP done with them in feb. Here's the website website for the group in NOLA-Be sure to view the before & after photos. www.breastcenter.com

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  • FLBuckeye93
    FLBuckeye93 Member Posts: 87
    edited June 2017

    The surgeons at The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery are wonderful. I had radiation prior to my BMX and SGAP surgery. I met with three plastic surgeons before consulting the Center. It is worth it to at least contact them for a free consultation. You do not have to travel there to consult.

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