Reconstruction post radiation?

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Tmh0921
Tmh0921 Member Posts: 714
edited July 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all

I was Dx with IDC in my left breast in 1999 and had a lumpectomy followed by radiation.

This past week I had my annual diagnostic mammogram and have suspicious areas in both breasts. I'm scheduled for biopsies on both on 8/14. I'm pretty sure the area on the left side is going to be scar tissue, but am concerned that the area on the right may be DCIS or early IDC based on the description of the calcifications.

If this does result in DCIS or IDC, I'll be opting for BMX with reconstruction. I prefer not to have implants and would most likely opt for DIEP.

My question is this. I had daily radiation to my left breast for 6 weeks in 2000. The left breast is smaller (multiple lumpectomies and due to radiation my left breast didn't grow during subsequent pregnancy like my right did). Can they perform reconstruction on a previously radiated breast?

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2018

    yes. I had a mastectomy with tissue expander followed by chemo then radiation (35 doses) before my diep flap reconstruction. I waited 8.5 months before surgery (my PS wanted at least 6 months). I had a nipple and skin sparing mastectomy; my PS replaced some of the breast skin with tummy skin due to tight, damaged skin. The result is an oval of tummy skin on the lower side of my breast. I am very happy with my reconstruction.

    DIEP requires specialized micro surgery- not all plastic surgeons do it. Be confident that it can be done in your situation and if needed talk to several surgeons.


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  • Tmh0921
    Tmh0921 Member Posts: 714
    edited July 2018

    Thank you runrcrb, I will continue to research plastic surgeons (specifically micro surgeons). I have found a few highly reputable options in ATL, but am not opposed to traveling out of state if needed

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited July 2018

    check out the 2018 DIEP thread. lots of info there

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited July 2018

    Tmh, sorry you're here with us after so many years. I'm writing back to say that I had DIEP 6 months after I finished rads. My PS sees more scarring than on other patients bc of rads but I don't care about that. I didn't want an implant as I had a uni and didn't want anything on the right. Good luck to you.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited July 2018

    I had DIEP 6 months after rads and my PS removed a lot of the radiated skin. I'm pleased with the results. It's a big surgery but I recovered much more quickly than I expected. Best of luck to you.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited July 2018

    I had rads from neck to hips for a different cancer back in 1988. Everything went smoothly and healed nicely. The longer youre out from rads, the better the skin quality/healing tends to be. I went to NOLA and recommend them highly.

    www.breastcenter.com


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