reconstruction now or later..fluid buildup?

I opted for delayed
I opted for delayed reconstruction. I consulted with the PS and my Onc Surgeon beforehand and when I had the bilateral mastectomy my surgeon preserved as much tissue/skin as possible for the PS to use later. It leaves a rather 'messy' chest in the interim, but I wanted to face just one battle at a time after hearing some other folks' experiences. I think it lessens the discomfort post-surgery and the possibility of infection.

My PS requires a full 6 months from the date of original surgery to place the expanders and begin the reconstruction process. It takes that long for the preserved tissue to soften and settle down (as he put it). This works perfectly for me as I had mastectomy 4/29 and completed chemo on 8/30. By the time it has been 6 months I will be far enough out from chemo to do the reconstruction surgery without danger.

As far as I know it nearly always necessary to have expanders prior to implants in order to stretch the chest muscle wall (behind which the implants will eventually be placed). Hope this helps. I go back to my PS in a week or so at which time I hope to be able to schedule the date to get my expanders implanted.

Best of luck!

Chickadee

missingtexas said:

delayed
Mine wasn't so much of a choice. PS said they wouldn't touch me until 6 months after my radiation was completed. I've gotten opinions from a couple different PS and they all told me I would need expanders before implants. If I was a candidate, I wanted expanders when they did my mastectomy. I went from a D cup to a negative A and they don't want prothetics until I'm completely healed. I'm getting used to it though.
Dana

It seems to me
that the best approach is to take care of the cancer first and then do reconsturction. So many postings from people doing it the opposite they always have problems trying to do all of it at once. Personally after researching all of it I opted for a double with no reconstruction.

It is a personal decsion and what works for me may not for you. I know a person whose focus was reconstruction first and had all sorts of complications and by the time she was ready for chemo her cancer had spread to her liver and brain.

anaumann said:

delayed prosthesics?
Please comment on how to survive contact with people without s prosthesis.

I'm not thrilled
I'm not thrilled about waiting for the prothetics but my best friend (who's very flat chested)told me "People don't even pay attention unless you have a great rack." My hair is finally starting to grow in so at least I won't look like a 14 year old boy for long. Face it all with a big smile and make the best decision for you.