breast reconstruction

I was diagnosed with stage ll breast cancer in 2007, HER 2+. I had a mastectomy and followed through with chemo, radiation, and Herceptin. I finished the Herceptin in March of this year and now I am ready to begin the reconstruction phase. My problem is I can't decide which type of surgery  I want. I had rather have the implants because it is a much easier surgery. (I've had enough surgery's to last a lifetime!) The first plastic surgeon I went to said that because I had had radiation, the implants were not an option. I went to a second surgeon to get a second opion and he said that I could try the implants and if it did not work out then I could go with the tram flap procedure.

There is just so much involved with the tram flap procedure that I just really dread the idea of having that done, so the implants seem like the way I want to go, but if there is the chance that it is not going to work, it seems unnecessary to have it done.

My question is, is there anyone here who has had the implants after having had radiation, and if so, how was your outcome?

Hi Kah49,

I was stage III, had chemo, mastectomy, more chemo and radiation with a couple extra rounds thrown in for good measure, all in that order.  I was definately not a candidate for implants.  I had a DIEP flap instead of the TRAM flap.  The DIEP does not take the abdominal muscle, they just use the fat and tissue to build the new breast.  Yes it was a long surgery but I would do it all over again, I could not be happier.  With the implants you have to have them replaced every so often, with a DIEP you have the surgery and you are done!  Since they do not take the abdominal muscles in the DIEP, it is a much easier recovery.  I also have had a hystorectomy and would have the DIEP over the hystorectomy any day :~).  With the DIEP you get a tummy tuck and a new boob, what more could a woman want? 

When I was going through club chemo, I learned so much from the other women, the one thing that really sealed the deal for me was when one woman told me that her implants were the most uncomfortable thing she has ever done.  She said they sit on her chest like 2 big hard rocks, just something to think about.  I would throughly research and ask other women who have had implants, ask your surgeon if you can talk to other women who have had the procedure you are leaning towards.  If you are only having one side done, just think what the other side will look like, you will have one perky breast and one saggy breast.  The DIEP breast expands and contracts naturally as your weight fluxuates and it always looks natural and it is soft, not hard like implants.  It feels like it is a part of me and not an add on.

I hope my experience helped and best of luck to you on your decision.

Teresa

A few comments on the implants.  I had a single mastectomy 12 years ago.  My breast were so large -DD - that I asked to have the other breast reduced and an implant for the breast removed.  I had no idea the pain I would have from the implant.  First, I wanted much smaller breasts, but the plastic surgeon convinced me that a "C" would be best.  I think if the implant had been smaller I would not have had as much pain.  It has now been in for 12 years with no problems - it is higher than the other breast, but once I get a bra on, things look pretty good.  And, the pain is gone most of the time.  I always feel a tightness there and feel I need to wear a bra while sleeping to keep things where they should be.

If you do get implants, keep them small, and I wish I had had a double mastectomy even though there has been no cancer in the good breast.  However there is breast cancer in a lumph node under my sternum which they are treating along with the peritoneal they found 3 years ago.    If I had had a hysterectomy after the breast cancer, I would not have two cancers today.

Good luck with you decision.  There are many factors to think about and you are doing the right thing by asking questions.  I should have done a little more research, but at the time I was so worried about the cancer, it was consuming me.  I'm now a well-seasoned cancer patient and research everything and drive everyone nuts asking questions.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Gayle