Implants

missingtexas
missingtexas Member Posts: 146
in Breast Cancer #1
Anybody do implants after radiation? I've talked to 2 different docs. One wants to do Lattisimus flap with silicone implants underneath (one surgery, no expanders). The other wants to do expanders then silicone implants with xenoderm. I really believed I wanted the 2nd one but can't seem to stay off the internet and now I'm a little confused. Curious if anybody has had either of these procedures and what your opinion is.

Comments

  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #2
    best wishes!
    Dear Texas,

    I don't know anything about either procedure, I just wanted to wish you good luck! It's so hard to make these kind of decisions ... so much is thrown at us and it feels like we have to make quickie decisions. I'll pray that you would have wisdom.

    I've never heard of the xenoderm? What is that? Is like alloderm or something completely different?

    take care and good luck!

    hugs,
    dh
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    #3
    Dawne.Hope said:

    best wishes!
    Dear Texas,

    I don't know anything about either procedure, I just wanted to wish you good luck! It's so hard to make these kind of decisions ... so much is thrown at us and it feels like we have to make quickie decisions. I'll pray that you would have wisdom.

    I've never heard of the xenoderm? What is that? Is like alloderm or something completely different?

    take care and good luck!

    hugs,
    dh

    It's the same as alloderm
    It's the same as alloderm but from an animal...in this case a pig. :) They really do throw so much info at you and I swear every time I blink I change my mind. It's been a blessing and a curse that I had to have delayed reconstruction. A lot of time to research...and too much time to research!! :) Thank you so much for the prayers!!
    Dana
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #4
    Lattisimus Flap Here
    Hi Dana, I had a bilateral with immediate reconstruction in Feb. last year. I chose lattisimus flap because I had to have radiation afterward and that is the strongest skin. The actual surgery and recovery was not near as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not real happy with the results but I'm not done yet either. I still need a right side lift (3 times now), nipples, and tattooing.
  • missingtexas
    missingtexas Member Posts: 146
    #5
    pinkkari09 said:

    Lattisimus Flap Here
    Hi Dana, I had a bilateral with immediate reconstruction in Feb. last year. I chose lattisimus flap because I had to have radiation afterward and that is the strongest skin. The actual surgery and recovery was not near as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not real happy with the results but I'm not done yet either. I still need a right side lift (3 times now), nipples, and tattooing.

    The surgery/recovery was one
    The surgery/recovery was one of the things that made me nervous about the lattisimus option. Just seemed like it would be very painful. Nobody seemed to eager to do immediate reconstruction for me. Thanks for the info!!
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #6
    missingtexas said:

    The surgery/recovery was one
    The surgery/recovery was one of the things that made me nervous about the lattisimus option. Just seemed like it would be very painful. Nobody seemed to eager to do immediate reconstruction for me. Thanks for the info!!

    I recovered quite nicely~
    It was easier than the mastectomy when it came to recovery (for me). I had a saline implant by choice, the implant goes under the muscle and that usually masks any rippling that some implants cause. I was so nervous at first, because it seemed to me to be such an invasive procedure. But I did as the dr. ordered and healed real well. 6 1/2 weeks later I was out christmas shopping with a friend!
    ~Melanie
  • pinkapples
    pinkapples Member Posts: 54 Member
    #7
    so many choices!
    It's so true. And the internet is so full of info that it becomes difficult to get clarity.
    For me, I have saline implants and I am happy with that choice. Two of the reasons I opted for expanders was:
    1) size, I was large bc (before cancer) and wanted to be as close as possible to that.
    2) incision, this meant one more scar and one more possible place for infection.
    The expanders were tight and uncomfortable and there is a small down side to that process, but for me it was worth the end result.
    Well anyway, this is what worked for me. I have found through all of this that listening to my gut has led me exactly where I needed to be and helped me make the decisions that I needed to.
    Whatever you choose, good luck to you and I hope this part of your journey goes as smooth as possible. Keep us posted!

    BillieJean (:
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #8
    silicone implant
    I choose to have the silicone implant under the muscle (only one side) with nipple reconstruction which I am in the midst of right now (surgery was FEB 18th). It is a process but I am very pleased with the results and am glad that I choose to do it. I agree there are so many choices and we are all unique so something for everyone I guess. My best to you!

    RE
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175
    #9
    After my bilateral
    After my bilateral mastectomy i had the expanders put in...yes they get as hard as a rock and they are placed so far apart that they are in your pits but no doubt they are very perky! Afterwards i got the silicone implants put in and i still need to finish getting the nipples done...which is my next step. Yet as much as i moan and groan about the little imperfections i am very happy with the results!
    Oh, and i only had chemo and no rads so i dont know if that makes a difference and i wasnt a candidate for the lattisimus or dorsi flap. My choice was either implants or no reconstruction...i had alot to choose from...boobs or no boobs...lol!
    Good luck in your decision!
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #10
    one more thing
    Texas - I thought of one more thing ... I know that rads can complicate the implant route. The odds of getting cc (capsular constricture) go up if you had rads. I've read that getting fat grafts done at the time of the implants can reduce the chance of cc. A lot of PS's go for the flap route with women who've had rads b/c of the potential complications. Are there any rads ladies out there we've gone the implant route and haven't had any problems?

    Praying for you, Texas! Keep us posted! xo

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