Reconstruction Question

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JoyMrt5
JoyMrt5 Member Posts: 40
edited September 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello all! I had a bmx in May and had tissue expanders placed. I've just finished my chemo and will not need to do radiation so I am at the point that I have to finish up my reconstruction. I have to be honest, after living with the expanders for the past 4+ months I'm really considering just having the expanders removed and going flat. My implants would be under my pectoral muscles meaning (I think) that I will still be able to feel the implants when using any upper body strength such as pushing a vacuum cleaner, hugging my grandkids, opening a jar, etc (which is what I feel with the expanders). I just don't know if I can live with that. My question is for anyone who may have had expanders placed and then decided to go flat (or had to go flat due to complications). I know that the expanders have stretched my skin and in my case I'm guessing my pec muscles as well. Will that leave a lot of loose skin or will the PS be able to "clean" it all up during surgery? I'm not really a vain person but I don't want to be grossed out any more than necessary when looking in the mirror and of course I think about my husband. He says he's ok with whatever decision I make but I still worry about his reaction!

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited September 2018

    Alternatively, you could find a new PS who would be willing to place implants pre-pectorally. Your skin is already stretched and the pec would be allowed to go back into position.  

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  • ReadyAbout
    ReadyAbout Member Posts: 211
    edited September 2018

    FWIW, I had a TE removed last week due to infection and am flat on that side for the next two months. Dr says the skin will shrink quite a bit. Right now it looks like a breast imploded on itself, like it kinda caved in. I’m sure if I had chosen to go flat the PS would have tidied things up and excised loose skin. I find it’s easier to wash/touch that side than the side that still has a TE- the TE still grosse me out.

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  • JoyMrt5
    JoyMrt5 Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2018

    ReadyAbout: Yes the TE kind of grosses me out too!! I just don't like the way it feels and am terrified that I'll feel the same way once I get implants. Saturday morning I used my vacuum cleaner for the first time since having them and I could feel the right one move every time I pushed it which kind of freaks me out! I'm torn on what I want to do but I'm leaning more toward going flat at the moment. I will be scheduling an appointment with my PS soon to discuss.

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

    have you considered natural tissue recon instead? Closest thing to your originals. Soft, warm, move with you like the originals did, feel & look natural. Here’s a link that gives great information on it with before & after photos too. I’ll also link a great resource on recon from the same group that’s helpful no matter where you go or what you choose.

    www.breastcenter.com

    https://www.breastcenter.com/2018/05/01/i-wish-id-known-dr-dellacroce-speaks-to-ypo-about-modern-breast-reconstruction/


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  • Goldfish4884
    Goldfish4884 Member Posts: 75
    edited September 2018

    Hi JoyMrt5: I had tissue expanders under the muscle, hated them. Then I had implants under the muscle hated the animation every time I flexed, used my muscle. I had them removed and switched to over the muscle implants. These are much more natural looking and feeling. I wish I had gone straight from tissue expanders to over the muscle implants. Just another option for you. I would check with your ps to see if this is an option for you

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