No reconstruction after rads?

Unknown
Unknown
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Whoa, what's this? I am looking forward to my reconstruction after my radiation (six weeks of it). I am happy just to have implants. Is this not possible after radiation? Anyone have implants after radiation? I am small breasted and was planning on upping the stakes a little with the redo for fun. Yep, I look for fun where I can find it these days. Is there a serious impediment after radiation to my dream of 18 year old C cup breasts? Guess I had better start dealing with it if that is the case.

Comments

  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #2
    Your Doctors know your particular situation best, and there may be some reason in your case. I would ask them, then maybe go to some others to get a second or third opinion (or more). If they all agree and can give you the same reasons, then you will know the answer as it applies to you. If not, you will have more information.

    That said, in my case , Drs. have said reconstruction will be possible, but it will take 6-12 months for the tissues to heal before the surgery can be done. The plastic surgeon explained that radiation causes a reaction that makes the skin shrink and harden and it takes a long time for it to "settle" after that so that they can work with it and stretch it back out with an implant or your own tissue, either way. You could go to the MD Anderson website, ACS, or another reputable wegsite and look up the topic to get more information.

    Hope it helps, seof
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    seof said:

    Your Doctors know your particular situation best, and there may be some reason in your case. I would ask them, then maybe go to some others to get a second or third opinion (or more). If they all agree and can give you the same reasons, then you will know the answer as it applies to you. If not, you will have more information.

    That said, in my case , Drs. have said reconstruction will be possible, but it will take 6-12 months for the tissues to heal before the surgery can be done. The plastic surgeon explained that radiation causes a reaction that makes the skin shrink and harden and it takes a long time for it to "settle" after that so that they can work with it and stretch it back out with an implant or your own tissue, either way. You could go to the MD Anderson website, ACS, or another reputable wegsite and look up the topic to get more information.

    Hope it helps, seof

    Thanks for replying. I haven't talked to a plastic surgeon yet, but it is helpful to be prepared for a wait, if necessary, and nice to know that it may be possible in time. I just want to have everything over with as fast as possible. What a crummy way to learn patience, but, nonetheless, a lesson I have needed all my life.
    Thanks again, friend.
    Joyce
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #4
    The skin also looses elasticity after rads and sometimes wont stretch properly for implants. There are other options besides implants. I had reconstruction to radiated breast and have some lymphodemia in it. Not much of a problem though. The surgery was well worth it. I also had to wait one year for surgery.
  • dapiek
    dapiek Member Posts: 6
    #5
    My wife attempted implants after alot of radiation, even the transflap procedure. There was just too much scar tissue for the implants to properly stretch. She also was prone to infections and after fighting with them for two years and constant pain, we had them removed. She was probably a worst case scenerio but be prepared. A friend of my wife also had to have hers removed and replaced with smaller implants. Get with a well known RECONSTRUCTION plastic surgeon. My wife's first surgeon didn't know beans and it was another nightmare in itself. We should have waited for at least one year to let everything heal but insurance wanted all treatment done within a year. Take your time ans ask the doctor what his worst case has been and how you compare. Look at before and after pictures but know these are probably selected to show his best work. Be happy with just some breasts and work on bigger better with time. Remember also even with breasts most, if not all of the feeling is gone. I won't go into the nipple options.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    dapiek said:

    My wife attempted implants after alot of radiation, even the transflap procedure. There was just too much scar tissue for the implants to properly stretch. She also was prone to infections and after fighting with them for two years and constant pain, we had them removed. She was probably a worst case scenerio but be prepared. A friend of my wife also had to have hers removed and replaced with smaller implants. Get with a well known RECONSTRUCTION plastic surgeon. My wife's first surgeon didn't know beans and it was another nightmare in itself. We should have waited for at least one year to let everything heal but insurance wanted all treatment done within a year. Take your time ans ask the doctor what his worst case has been and how you compare. Look at before and after pictures but know these are probably selected to show his best work. Be happy with just some breasts and work on bigger better with time. Remember also even with breasts most, if not all of the feeling is gone. I won't go into the nipple options.

    How nice of you to reply and take the time to explain all that helpful information. It seems to me your wife has a wonderful husband!
    Joyce
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    Jadie said:

    The skin also looses elasticity after rads and sometimes wont stretch properly for implants. There are other options besides implants. I had reconstruction to radiated breast and have some lymphodemia in it. Not much of a problem though. The surgery was well worth it. I also had to wait one year for surgery.

    Thanks! It is nice of you to prepare me for the one year wait and also nice to hear that the surgery is well worth it. I will certainly get lots of professional imput before acting. Thanks to the support here, my emotional support imput is already in place!
    love,
    Joyce

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