Implant on an already radiated breast

Do you mean you had radiation in the past, and now you will have a mastectomy and then an implant?

I had a mastectomy, then radiation, then a silicone implant under the pec muscle. Does that cover it?

I got an expander placed right after the mastectomy, then they filled it a couple of times, kept it for a few months, then replaced it with an implant. The only difference between this process and the one I had in the other breast (no radiation) is that in the radiated side they waited a few more months to replace the expander with the implant, to give the skin and tissue time to heal. To me there was no other difference. The plastic surgeon kept saying how the skin is thinner and less supple in the radiated side and things like that. But for me honestly there is no difference, other than I had to wait a few more months to get the implant.

Hope this helps

LaughingGull

By surgeon, do you mean a plastic surgeon? A plastic surgeon is the right professional to examine you and evaluate the situation. Not everybody responds the same to radiation -patients can show different levels of damage from the radiation. The fact that they are considering it sounds like good news, right?

I am happy I was able to get an implant. I am very active and in and out of the gym and the swimming pool all the time, also very much into water sports. I fully accept the loss of my breasts, but to me, it is convenient to not to have to use prostheses to take in and out of my bra, be mindful of which bras, tank tops or bathing suits I use, etc. When dressed, I look similar to I did when I had my breasts, same in bathing suit or athletic clothes. This works perfectly for me.

I can tell you that I don't have any more tightness or discomfort, talking about the implant area specifically, in the radiated side compared to the non-radiated side. On the radiated side I have discomfort in my ribs and other tissues, but not around the implant per se.

The expander had some volume from the beginning, then they added more volume a couple of times.

It was not hard for me -my cancer was very aggressive and extensive, and it was a relief for me to see that breast gone and I was ready to get the surgery and move to the next step. I was thrilled to have some volume, then when they added more volume a couple of times and the thing felt like a big balloon that I started to tire of it, especially because in the end I was in the expander for like 9 months (because radiation was not in my plan initially but then it was added to the plan)

Don'twantthis,

I had lumpectomy with whole breast radiation 5 years ago and a recent recurrence. Last December I had unilateral mastectomy with prepectoral tissue expander placement. 150cc of saline was put in the expander during surgery (they had told me they would only put 50cc prior to surgery so was a pleasant surprise). I currently have a fill of 510cc and exchange is scheduled for three weeks from now. I was concerned about the previous radiation and an implant, although my plastic surgeon never seemed to be. Everything has gone well except for some nerve issues causing skin sensitivity after surgery, mostly near the tissue expander edges. I have no idea if previous radiation has anything to do with it, but it has mostly resolved. Best wishes!