Implants

QQN4answers
QQN4answers Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi
It's me again with more questions. My surgeon has recommended a "modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using breast implants." Also know as skin saving. The plastic surgeon is using the same type of silicon and saline implants that were taken off the market in the 90's. These have been reapproved for reconstruction surgeries only and requires that I participate in their trials. My question is this. Has anyone had this type of surgery??? What were the results? Any problems with infections? Any long term side effects? Since they sort of scoop out the tissue in the breast and leave the skin I was wondering about the reoccurrence of cancer? I have read a lot about tram flaps (sp?) and some of the problems with them. It is hard to know what is the right decision. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Liz

Comments

  • cammie
    cammie Member Posts: 102
    #2
    Hi Liz - I had the latsimus dorsel brought forward from my back. I am a small woman and they could not get enough from my belly, so hence my back. I didn't have enough to create a whole boob so I also received a implant. The skin saving idea is fantastic. It makes it seem more real. But don't have the idea that it will feel real or look real unless someone is standing a mile away. My skin is so close to the implant that it is unreal. I am happy with my choice and am grateful that we do have choices. You can get a book from the Breast Cancer Support group that will show you real results and help you with your decision. As far as silcon vs saline, I chose silcon only for the reason of realness. If you see the different implants and feel them there is a big difference. My plastic surgeon assured me of silcone being safe. I trust him and feel secure in my decision. We all get to be a part of the trials and get the warrentee on our breast. Funny that I have a warrentee but why not. Sort of feel like the bionic woman. We can rebuild her we have the technology. Ha Ha. Good luck with your decision. Know that it will take a long time for reconstruction. I had Mascetomy Dec o2. I get my nipple and tatoo on Nov 13 this year. Worth it........ Cammie
  • Kimm
    Kimm Member Posts: 12
    #3
    I have had the same surgery, but my onocologist highy recommended not to do the tram flaps and not to do reconstruct until after all chemo and radiation was done. warning after radiation if you skin is not elastic enough and is brittle they can not do reconstruct. However if the implants get in the way or the flaps have cancer cells in them...it is a hard decision to make.

    Good Luck!

    PS are you getting one or both removed? I had one and really wish they had taken two. VERY hard to match up yours and the new implant. The new implant is perky and the other normal.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Hi
    I'm only part way there, and I've had a few ups and downs. I chose implants and currently have an expander put in. They would not let me start it at masect. becasue we were unsure of radiation needs etc. I "only" ended up with chemo. I am small and the p.s. said if he did the trans flap, I should gain 10 lbs. and he could only do it once. (Here's where my fear of another cancer popping up in other breast comes in) I dreaded the longer recovery so went ahead with implants. I'm putting a silicone in one macect. side, and a small silicone under the muscle on the other side to even me out and increase a full size. (I was AA so I figure why not?) Plus the p.s. said putting one in the other side was the only way to look even. I took 2 weeks to get drains out from the tissue expander, and another good week to get some energy back after anesthesia. I was regretting my decision.... but the rest of the expansions have gone really well and I'm glad I hung in there and made this choice. One more surgery to go! I too will be in study, but I figure then someone will be keeping a close look to make sure everything is OK.
  • QQN4answers
    QQN4answers Member Posts: 16
    #5
    Kimm said:

    I have had the same surgery, but my onocologist highy recommended not to do the tram flaps and not to do reconstruct until after all chemo and radiation was done. warning after radiation if you skin is not elastic enough and is brittle they can not do reconstruct. However if the implants get in the way or the flaps have cancer cells in them...it is a hard decision to make.

    Good Luck!

    PS are you getting one or both removed? I had one and really wish they had taken two. VERY hard to match up yours and the new implant. The new implant is perky and the other normal.

    I only need to have the one side done. I think I need some clarification. Most of the replies mention tram flaps. What the surgeon and p.s. want to do is leave all of my skin and nipple, remove the breast tissue, nodes and do the implant all at the time of surgery. They call it skin saving.There is no need for the tram flap. After the implant settles then you can either increase/decrease the implant or have the other side done. Has anyone had their surgery done with skin saving?
  • JAN22
    JAN22 Member Posts: 21
    #6
    I HAD THE TRAMFLAP IN JANUARY , I AM GLAD I DID IT ,IT SAVED MY LIFE . AGE IS ALWAYS A FACTOR AND A PLUS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO SO ,I SUPPORT THE SURGERY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS YOUNG AND HEALTHY OTHER WISE ,ALSO KEEP A POSSITIVE OUTLOOK , IT IS NOT A SIMPLE SURGERY, BUT WHAT TYPE IS . THEY TELL YOU RECOVERY IS 6-8 WEEKS, I WAS BACK TO WORK IN 4 WEEKS. ITS ALL IN THE WAY YOU ATTACK IT, TAKE CHARGE AND LOOK FORWARD TO A HEALTHY LIFE.
  • Snookums
    Snookums Member Posts: 148
    #7
    JAN22 said:

    I HAD THE TRAMFLAP IN JANUARY , I AM GLAD I DID IT ,IT SAVED MY LIFE . AGE IS ALWAYS A FACTOR AND A PLUS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO SO ,I SUPPORT THE SURGERY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS YOUNG AND HEALTHY OTHER WISE ,ALSO KEEP A POSSITIVE OUTLOOK , IT IS NOT A SIMPLE SURGERY, BUT WHAT TYPE IS . THEY TELL YOU RECOVERY IS 6-8 WEEKS, I WAS BACK TO WORK IN 4 WEEKS. ITS ALL IN THE WAY YOU ATTACK IT, TAKE CHARGE AND LOOK FORWARD TO A HEALTHY LIFE.

    I elected for the immediate recon. after my bi-lat and yes, had an infection in my left (cancerous) side. I have since had 2 friends have the same problem. One survivor at work who went to M D Anderson in Tx told me they suggest waiting 3 months before doing recon because of that reason. It is something to look at and pray for direction. I chose saline implants and now after my Jan surgery am finally expanding my left while my right is 90% finished. I have had the final implant in the right but no shaping. My plastic sur. wanted to wait and shape when we went back in to finish the left and put in the final implant. He feels that way he could " balance" them best. You are wise to get opinions and info before deciding. Good Luck- C
  • stillgood
    stillgood Member Posts: 46
    #8
    Hi Liz,

    I had a double mastectomy in July 2002 with immediate reconstruction using breast implants. I have the same kind implants you are talking about. Mine are "Becker" implants. They have a silicon core and which sits inside of the saline outshell (I don't know what else to call the outside). These were recommended because they are suppose to have a more natural feel and look and you only have to have one surgery. I haven't had any problems with my implants. No infections or anything. I would go into the plastic surgeon's office and have the implants expanded through a port that is under my arm (under the skin). Not painful because area had no real feeling. It was kind of uncomfortable having the implants expanded, the stretching of the skin is the uncomfortable part. I currently have some tightness across my chest muscles occasionally. I'm scheduled to finally have the ports removed. I've been postponing having them removed.

    This is some of my experience with my implants. I'm not sure how much it helps. You can contact me at my email if you'd like. ljpayne1014@cs.com

    stillgood Linda

Discussion Boards