Reconstruction After Radiation Years Before

Vintagegirl- I’m sorry I missed your original request! I had what they call “full mantle” rads to the chest 30 years before my BC diagnosis and BMX with immediate recon. Here’s what you need to know. It does take time for the skin to recover from rads so from that perspective you’re in a good place. The problem you can run into is that radiated tissue doesn’t always do well with implants as there is nothing for the existing tissue to adhere to/grow into. That’s part of why the textured implants are often recommended as it gives a little bit of s surface for the tissue to adhere to. However some studies are starting to show that the textured implants may have a higher recurrence rate than without. From another angle and frankly the best path for tissue adherence/tissue growth) is a natural tissue reconstruction. They would give you a tummy tuck or butt lift and use that tissue to rebuild your breasts. The trick is finding a plastic microsurgeon who specializes in breast recon. Many women travel for the surgery. I did and I can tell you it was so worth every penny of my copay/deductible and the travel. I looked pretty darn good before all this and I look better now than when I started. Breasts are soft and warm and natural. Thrilled with the results. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Here’s a a link to the center for restorative breast surgery in NOLA that is very informative on the procedures, has a must see video called ‘I wish I’d known’, and photos of before & after. Let me know if you decide to explore this option further

www.breastcenter.com

Vintage: I’m sorry you are going thru this again. I’m a two timer. At age 43, I had lumpectomy and rads in early 2008 for IDC and then at age 52 diagnosed with IDC same side in April 2017. I had UMX with tissue expander, then chemo. And some other stuff going on so I’m just now planning my reconstruction one year later. My PS said to expect 2 fat graftings —one w exchange and one later to help the radiated skin. It’s pretty thin skin! And she uses a lot of alloderm.

It is doable, but you need a PS experienced w radiated tissue and Fat Grafting. I considered a DIEP, but I have 12 year old twins and am the primary earner for our family, so decided on the uni Implant.

Keep us posted and check out the fat grafting thread on here. It’s been very helpful to me.

Peace to you this holiday weekend,

I got 3-d nipple tattoos and they look so real.

glad to find this thread! I see the surgeon tomorrow and we will discuss if I can do reconstruction after Mx. He has told me I can't do implants because of the radiation. I am just worried about the recovery and risk in a DIEP procedure. But not sure I want to or canwait to coordinate with plastic surgeon.

Hi VintageGirl- My story is similar to yours and am sorry to hear you have to deal with this again. My original DX of DCIS w/microinvasion was in 2006 and was treated with lumpectomy and radiation. I was DX with Stage 1 invasive in Nov. 2017 and had mastectomy and TE in December. I had the implant placed in late March of this year. So far, I am not thrilled with the outcome and I feel that is mostly do to the previous surgery and radiation in 2006. I have no sensation over most of the breast and the implant feels like it is trying to escape my body via the armpit! Needless to say I am questioning if I made the right decision, but have been advised by the plastic surgeon to wait a few more months as I am still healing. Visually it's not to appealing because of the perma-tan from previous radiation and the scars of surgery. Kinda pulled and puckered but the surgeon assures me that can be adjusted with surgery. I personally have had my fill of doctors and procedures. I had breast reduction on the other side and it's fine, but the I'm not keen on the implant. That is just my .02. Ultimately you have to make decision with what you feel you are comfortable with. Previous procedures made a big impact on my outcome. I will be glad to answer any questions you might have. Best of luck to you!

bennybear- come join us over on the 2017 & 2018 DIEP threads. You can ask all the questions you want about DIEP and recovery. Plus there are many women who are posting their progress several times a week. Its really not that bad. I went out to lunch and walked 3 blocks back to the condo we rented on Day 3 post BMX w/ immediate DIEP recon, attended a Mardi Gras parade a day or two later, toured some of NOLA, etc. Its a bigger surgery than just TEs and implants for sure, but they are not cutting into any muscle and that makes a huge difference recovery wise.It looks like you haven't had your mx yet? If that is the case, you should be able to do immediate DIEP recon at the time of mx.

VintageGirl I will be thinking about you tomorrow and I hope all goes well. Keep us posted we are here for you

I am facing the same situation.  My radiation was in 1997. Surgeon states they can do nipple sparing.  Plastic surgeon states it will be small for the reconstruction.  Am waiting to be scheduled for surgery.  Would like to hear an update Vintage girl.

Thank you so much for the update. I hope it heals for you. I too wish they had been honest and told us what would happen in the beginning. I would have had the mastectomy then and not had the radiation. I will be having surgery next month.

Surgery is scheduled for April 3rd. Followed by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Sure hop this works!!

Please keep us informed. What day is your surgery? Mine is not scheduled until April 3rd. So I believe you will be before me.