radiated skin does not like implants. And the skin may be so damaged from radiation that you may need to have the skin removed as well as the underlying breast tissue. Your recon option at that point would be natural tissue recon (DIEP, SGAP, SIEA, TDAP Flap). Actually long term, women have higher satisfaction rates with this type of recon anyway. I went with it right out of the gate to avoid radiation - my breasts look almost identical to the originals only perkier like they were before kids and the feel natural like the originals too.

I've had implants for around 15 years and finished radiation in May after my lumpectomy in February...My treated side is now higher, tighter and smaller, not to mention the dent. I figured this would be a good time to put everything back where it belongs and bump up fullness and perkiness while I'm at it. While going into radiation, I knew it could cause issues, but she suggested with 100% certainty that capsular contracture will only continue to get worse. Had I not had radiation, my options for reconstruction would be much more open. If I choose do do nothing (because my breasts don't look too bad now), I may end up living with chronic pain. Thinking I could just swap out my implants and be happy isn't an option due to the radiated tissue. I thought that since I already had implants, I could just replace them. Nope. Her suggestion for me is a free flap reconstruction including implant (if still needed) and then match the non treated side. I learned that by doing a free flap recon, the healthy donor tissue can actually improve the health of the radiated tissue. I found that very encouraging. Anyway, I was searching around for a post like this, because I'd very much like to chat with someone who has had lumpectomy/radiation who has gone on to have flap reconstruction.

Thank you so much for sharing your story CaliKelly! I appreciate it very much. I really was expecting to do an implant exchange, no big deal...I was a little devastated at first with her recommendation...I had brief moments of wanting a second opinion, but I trust this PS 1000%! I was ready to pay her out of pocket since she doesn't take insurance. She is that amazing. Your story lines up exactly to what she told me. She has seen breast cancer patients long term, and she said EVERY SINGLE time she has seen capsular contracture in women with implants who have had radiation. It's not really a question if IF, it's a question of when. Question...did you have anything done to your healthy breast, or just get the reconstruction to match? I'd like to get my left implant replaced, but understand that I might not be able to do it at the same time...May need to see what's possible for the let reconstructed side and let it settle out first...