Anyone had modified radical mastectomy with reconstruction

LoverofJesus
LoverofJesus Member Posts: 255
edited July 2021 in Breast Reconstruction

I found out today that I might not be able to have a skin sparing mastectomy. It may have to be a modified radical I think is what they call it.

If this is the case, can I still have an immediate reconstruction? If so will I have to get skin from another part of my body to be able to place expanders? How will that work?

Has anyone had a non skin sparing mastectomy and had expanders without having to graph skin from somewhere else?


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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited July 2021

    I had modified radical on BC side and simple on the prophy side. Expanders place at time of bilat and then implants. In between I had chemo and radiation and needed to wait at least 6 months post radiation to do the exchnge.

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  • LoverofJesus
    LoverofJesus Member Posts: 255
    edited July 2021

    so did they have to take skin from somewhere else to put your expanders in on the BC side? I can’t have skin sparing. So how did they have enough skin

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited July 2021

    Skin grafting is not done that I am aware of. That is why temporary expanders are used. Their job is to gradually stretch (as you have fills) the remaining skin because as you mentioned, there would not be adequate skin left to cover your final size implant.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited July 2021

    What might be suggested is a LAT Flap:

    Latissimus Dorsi Flap Breast Reconstruction


    Having spent a lot of time on this site, I've heard a few stories about people having shoulder and back pain after a LAT Flap, or having restricted movement. That might not be common - people who have complaints are the ones who tend to post here. But it's worth checking out before going ahead with this procedure, if it is offered. I would think that the other option would be as exbrnxgrl suggested, which is just to slowly expand the remaining skin with a tissue expander. Without a skin sparing MX, the result might to be a very small breast mound vs. the option of a somewhat larger breast with the LAT Flap.



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