Any improvement on breast reconstruction?

hlya · April 2017

I was scared by reconstruction and didn't take the surgery. Now it's been 8 years, would like to know whether there is any improvement or new method to do the reconstruction? None of the old stuff worked for me years ago.

I am skinny, implant seems the only option for me but I was scared by lots of stories about the failure (e.g. 5 years after the surgery).Any good news nowadays?

Would like to know any updates. Thanks!

Lula73 · April 2017

hi Hyla- they've made great strides in options for thin women to have natural tissue reconstruction. The docs that pioneered it are in New Orleans (aka NOLA). You can check them out as well as their before and after photos at www.breastcenter.com. They are successful even with women who were told they didn't have enough tissue to do it. It's all about quality and attention to detail for these special docs. It sounds like you're doing well so congratulations! Good luck to you on your recon journey

MinusTwo · April 2017

And the implants have really changed even since my first cancer in 2011. Lots of goo choices for silicone now with an experienced PS

hlya · April 2017

Hi, Lula73,

Thanks for the information. I am not in USA though. I will check with my local doctor.

hlya · April 2017

Hi, MinusTwo,

I know a woman got the recon surgery, but she has been experienced lots of pain for a long time.

Another lady had been experienced the pain up and down for 5 years, then decided to remove it and go with prosthesis.

I am a bit tired of prosthesis. Esp. In summer it's so hot and I don't want to wear it at all. But would implant block the sweating and feel the same as prosthesis? And I can't even take it off? OMG, lots of concerns.

Probably need to talk to a surgeon.~~~~

Also my husband doesn't support me, he doesn't want me to experience any pain/surgery at all. But I am tired of prosthesis, not convenient and impacting my life quality.......What should I do?

hlya · April 2017

Also, I heard some story about women taken natural tissue, but the blood vessels were not connected well, then the new breast was turning "dark" and dead.......sooooo scary!

Did any women here take the implant surgery with new technology? How do you feel?

exbrnxgrl · April 2017

I have had implants for over 5 years. I had the the one step procedure, so no TE's. They look great and I've had no problems at all

Lula73 · April 2017

Success rates for flap procedures far outnumber the failure rates. I think we tend to focus on the risks/bad things that could happen instead of keeping the positive side of things. Risks are real but success is far more likely. Additionally, people who tend to post on support boards are more likely to be ones who are unhappy with their results and looking for solutions. The ones that are happy with their results are out doing their thing and don't need to seek support for solutions (at least for reconstruction). just my $0.02.

With that being said, all doctors are not created equal when it comes to natural tissue reconstruction. The ones that do it every week are more skilled than ones who do it on occasion. Always ask what the surgeon's flap failure rate is (not the national average or the practice's average but their average). With that being said, not all blood vessels are created equal and failure does happen. Selecting the surgeon/practice with the lowest failure rate is crucial to helping ensure a successful outcome. When I asked, NOLA responded with a 1% flap failure rate and a less than 2% infection rate. Far below the national average. If I ended up with flap failure or infection I would know I had hedged my bets as much as humanly possible.

And NOLA does take patients from outside the US. In fact it was a review posted by a woman who lives in the U.K. who came to NOLA for reconstruction that led me to find them.

In the end, we all have to choose which reconstruction is best for us even if the answer is none. I wish you luck in finding the answer that's right for you, hlya.

hlya · September 2017

Thanks exbrnxgrl,

wow, thats very encouraging!

hlya · September 2017

hi, Lula73,

Thanks for all the information! That's very helpful. SorryI've been busy and haven't come back for a while.

But lately my BC friend (met at clinic) who has her daughter dx as IDC as well, as a 28yo young lady she has to do the reconstruction. so I might need to come back to this forum more frequently to get more information for the girl.

janlee15 · September 2017

Hi hlya, I know exactly what you mean about the prosthesis. I had a Unilateral mastectomy in 2003 and was OK with it at first but I am now getting really tired of messing with having to switch it from bra to bra every time I change bras and sometimes it shifts out of place and the mastectomy bras are not very pretty. That's one of the reasons I have finally decided to have the reconstruction. I am also doing it because, in my case, I have always been large-breasted, having been a D cup while still in high school. Because my remaining breast is so large and has begun to sag, I have to get the biggest and heaviest prosthesis I can to make it all look balanced out and that has been causing much pain in my shoulders lately. So I am also having breast reduction. For your question implants, when I was considering them I was going to go with an Implant called the Ideal implant because it is a safe saline implant but has the firmness and more natural feel of the silicone without worrying about that silicone leaking into your body. That might be an alternative for you if you do not feel comfortable going with the Flap. I am leaning towards the DIEP Flap because, in spite of the long surgery and recovery time, I just prefer the idea of having m own tissue in there rather than having to worry about an implant rupture in the future. I am not getting any younger. I am 67 and do not want to deal with any implant replacement issues when I am in my 70's or beyond. I am hoping to have my DIEP before the end of this year with the reduction coming by next summer. I hope everything goes well for you which ever you choose to do. Best wishes. PS- If you want more info about the Ideal implant, you can go to their website at idealimplant

hlya · September 2017

Hi, janlee15,

Thanks a lot for the information! I still haven't made up my mind.

Today I talked to the store today, they have a better pros which is called breathable pros. Should feel better than the regular one I am wearing. I will buy a pair and try them this summer to see if there is any improvement.

If the same thing keeps bothering me in the future I might still need to consider reconstruction. I had small breasts before the sugery so my pros.are not big either (light). Will check the Ideal implant website. (Oh, my, I am still hesitating, scared of any big sugeries

Thanks again and good luck with your sugeries!

Sassa · September 2017

I had delayed reconstruction using implants in 2009 . I sailed through the tissue expanders with no discomfort and had no problems with the exchange surgery.

My implants are comfortable (I forget I have them) and I am very happy I did the reconstruction.

I carefully selected my reconstruction surgeon. Your physical condition is also an important factor and mine told me at the first appoitment that I would have no problems and have excellent results.

hlya · September 2017

Thanks Sass

Any improvement on breast reconstruction?

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