Changing your mind? Anyone have expanders removed??

JenRuns · October 2017

I met with a new PS today to talk about a DIEP Flap, now that I know I need radiation. I'm good with the idea (I certainly have enough abdominal tissue to "donate"). But then I found out he waits 11-12 months post-radiation for the first surgery, and another 3 months for the second surgery.

I'm not sure I want to keep these awful expanders in for another year.
I don't know that I'll have enough protected benefit time to do all the surgeries.
I don't know that I want to deal with the pain/discomfort/recovery from another major surgery. (The PA swears it's easier than the bmx.)

The first bullet is the biggest -- this would put my surgeries into January/May of 2019.

So my question: Has anyone just said f-it and taken the expanders out to go flat??

Erica3681 · October 2017

You might want to post this question on the Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy forum. A number of women there have chosen to remove expanders or implants and to go flat.

Icietla · October 2017

Member Lisey had hers removed. She had been in a great deal of pain from them.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics/845597?page=1

We have a very supportive "flat" bunch over in the Living Without Reconstruction After A Mastectomy forum section. Some of us are "gone flat" by choice, some of us by medical necessity, and some of us are waiting to start on (necessarily delayed) Reconstruction.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/82

Icietla · October 2017

Hi Erica. Thank you for all your support for breast-free women.

Changing your mind? Anyone have expanders removed??

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