The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

skin grafts?

arbojenn
arbojenn CSN Member Posts: 118
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had skin grafts to cover the area after a mastecomy or removal of a reconstructed area? How long does it take to heal? Any problems when it came to radiation treatments?
Like Care

Comments

  • Kristin N
    Kristin N CSN Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #2
    Hi Arbojenn! I had a
    Hi Arbojenn! I had a lumpectomy, so, I am sorry I can't help you out with information. But,

    I am sure the ones that did, will post on here and answer your questions. Good luck to you!
    Like Care
  • Noel
    Noel CSN Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #3
    I haven't had that arbojenn.
    I haven't had that arbojenn. I am sure a survivor here will answer your questions.
    Like Care
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy CSN Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #4
    sorry arbojenn...
    I had a lumpectomy (sizeable), and am now considering some type of reconstruction, so I have no info for you. But if you had a mastectomy, you usually don't need radiation.
    Maybe someone else will have more info for you
    =^..^=
    Like Care
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 CSN Member Posts: 1,510
    #5
    Hi I had a tram flap after
    Hi I had a tram flap after my mastectomy. I didn't need radiation but went through 8 rounds of chemo. The plastic surgeon prefers to wait until after radiation to do any kind of grafting because of the damage radiation does to the skin. Hugs, Lili
    Like Care
  • jnl
    jnl CSN Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #6
    I just want to wish you good
    I just want to wish you good luck Jenn! You probably should talk to your oncologist or surgeon about this. I have no idea.
    Like Care
  • rosag63
    rosag63 CSN Member Posts: 2
    #7
    I am assuming your
    I am assuming your reconstruction did not take. Mine didn't - no, I didn't have skin graffs, just stitches, never asked about anything else, just wanted it over with - it was quite depressing to go thru all that for nothing. I healed quite fast, was back to work in a week....I didn't have radiation, so can't help you there.
    Like Care
  • kiley40
    kiley40 CSN Member Posts: 17
    #8
    skin graft
    I had a tram flap. One breast blistered purple, i need more time for it to gradually heal but time is running short. Therefore I have to have a graft from my thigh. It takes 10-14 days to heal, I was told by the plastic surgeon. Good Luck!
    Like Care
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 CSN Member Posts: 203
    #9
    kiley40 said:

    skin graft
    I had a tram flap. One breast blistered purple, i need more time for it to gradually heal but time is running short. Therefore I have to have a graft from my thigh. It takes 10-14 days to heal, I was told by the plastic surgeon. Good Luck!

    I had mastectomy with expanders put in at time of surgery. Didn't think I needed radation but the final patholgy report showed otherwise. The expanders stayed in place during the 37 radiation treatments. I had to wait 6 months for the implants. I am small built and had the expanders put in in April. It looks like I'm going back to the drawing board and having them done again. I have quite a bit of rippling and the radiated side clearly sits differently than my other side. The plastic surgeon believes that a larger implant may help the problem but I know the two sides will never really match. They keep using the same incision line and that does heal well. I have no regrets about any of my decisions thus far but I had no idea this ordeal would last so long.
    Like Care
  • Kylez
    Kylez CSN Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
    dbs1673 said:

    I had mastectomy with expanders put in at time of surgery. Didn't think I needed radation but the final patholgy report showed otherwise. The expanders stayed in place during the 37 radiation treatments. I had to wait 6 months for the implants. I am small built and had the expanders put in in April. It looks like I'm going back to the drawing board and having them done again. I have quite a bit of rippling and the radiated side clearly sits differently than my other side. The plastic surgeon believes that a larger implant may help the problem but I know the two sides will never really match. They keep using the same incision line and that does heal well. I have no regrets about any of my decisions thus far but I had no idea this ordeal would last so long.

    Just wanting to wish you
    Just wanting to wish you good luck. :)
    Like Care

Discussion Boards