use of own skin w implant (after having radiation)?

tlgio17 · December 2017

Hello fellow fighters!

I had a unilateral masectomy last Dec and my surgeon left some of my own skin for reconstruction. We did not know at that time if I would need radiation, which I did need and had 5 weeks of. Does radiated skin always have to be replaced w skin from another area once you have reconstruction? I am planning on an implant but the thought of having another incision somewhere they took skin does not sound appealing after everything I have been thru. Does radiation absolutely rule out using your own skin?

Thanks!!

Traci

meg2016 · December 2017

No. Tissue expanders can stretch your skin. You might be limited on the the size you can go back with for implants to replace the expanders due to radiated skin not stretching as much and being so fragile. But you likely won't have to have skin from another part of your body.

tlgio17 · December 2017

Thanks!

use of own skin w implant (after having radiation)?

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