Breast Reconstruction After Masctectomy and Radiation - What's Next with Lipo, Implants

Hi Natalia, isn't it great that you're now thinking of reconstruction when once all you could think about was how to get through the day after diagnosis? I'm very happy for you!

Sounds like you're going to get a TRAM flap or DIEP surgery? It's what PJ and so many others did too and it's what I plan to do sometime in the near future. One of those rare times it actually helps to have some fat in the belly.

Would really appreciate your posting the process. Thanks for reminding everyone that whatever process you chose to have, step number one is choosing the best qualified doctor.

Thanks as always, Natalia!

TO:  Natalia Hernandez

There are a lot of drawbacks to TRAM flap surgery for breast reconstructions after a mastectomy.

I had a TRAM flap, and the doctor did not bother to tell me all the drawbacks -- a major one being a huge risk of hernia.  I ended up having hernia surgery about 6 months after the TRAM flap.

So talk in detail to someone who has had TRAM flap, and be sure you understand ALL the drawbacks, as well as understanding the cosmetic advantages.

Natalie, best of luck on your pending reconstruction.  You have a great attitude...thanks for sharing so much personal info to help the rest of us cope.

Someone in my family had this done, at the same time of the mastectomy. She is very very happy with the results - a totally natural looking breast opposed to what happens with traditional reconstruction.

Check out website of Dr. Lujean Feng for photos and more info.

Thanks for sharing this info. I have looked everywhere for info on reconstruction after radiation, but it just isn't out there. Please keep me informed. I finished radiation in March and can't wait for my reconstruction, but I want the best possible results. No one in my town has worked with skin that has been radiated. Who is your doctor and where is he located?

Thanks, Cathy

I had a right complete mastectomy on 7/8/08 and will be doing 7 weeks of radiation.  I am looking into breast reconsturction just as you discribe.  I can't bookmark this page for some rease.  Please keep me posted and good luck and God bless you through this process.

Gail Killough  gkillough@comcast.net

A reoccurance recently after 11 yrs.  On Arimidex.  Implants not possible due to radiation.  I was told.  I have plenty of fatty skin around the surgical area and my arms BUT I could not do implants/reconstruction now because I had a tummy tuck back in 85.  The cost I have not looked in to because I'm too old....68.  BUT I am an active (or was) senior.  This "losing your breasts" has devestated me but I carry on....alone. 

I found out my cancer returned in the midst of breast reconstruction surgery, when my plastic surgeon was placing larger tissue expanders.  Once the path came back, the reconstruction was put on pause while I had my affected chest wall area removed (since I had a modified radical mastectomy in 2005 I had little mucle to remove.)

I just finished 7 weeks of radiaiton, and while I am a little red, my plastic surgeon has absolutely no concerns about my skin - saying that I am young enough for it to bounce back - I am 34.  I spoke with him regarding this post and he told me that there is no reason I wouldn't be able to get implants underneath my little muscle strip with radiated skin.  I told him I wouldn't mind him using tissue, skin and muscle from other areas of my body, but he said that likely won't be needed, because my skin will bounce back.  At the end of the month I move on to chemo for 2 months then I will continue on with my reconstruction efforts.

No one's cancer, treatment, or side effects are the same.  Everyone is different and each treatment and cancer is as unique as the individual who has it.

Angi

Cancer is NOT a DEATH sentence

Hi!  I had a right lumpectomy following chemo to shrink the tumor and then 26 radiation treatments in 2006.   I had a recurrence in February 2008.  I had a mastectomy and expander placed on May 2, 2008.  I have been going through the process of having my expander filled and have one more visit to make 700 ml.   I will have to wait a few weeks for my implant to be placed.  This has not been an easy experience.   The chest becomes very tight and painful.    My plastic surgeon is not crazy about my irradiated skin but he is going to cut out as must as possible.  It sounds like you may have had a TRAM flap.   I didn't want that option because of the longer healing time, but now I wish I had considered it.   I really can't comment about my end result.   I am planning on having my left breast lifted and have an implant placed next spring.   This has all been a very slow process for me.  The expander causes my skin to bulge out from my chest from right beneath my clavicle (collar bone).    My main concern is that my general surgeon did a skin sparing mastectomy and my plastic surgery didn't want that "cooked" skin.    They even discussed my case prior to surgery...I haven't been able to find any cases of mastectomies where the patient previously had radiation and went with expanders.  We'll see how things go!  Therese

Thank you so much for your article. I was wondering exactly what all was involved. I had like 12 weeks of radiation and was thinking of breat reconstruction. I wondered about the dark burnt skin . I had asked my radiation oncologist about it and he said it would eventually go away. But how can something go away if it is destroyed. Thank you so very much and good luck. Your young so I would defenitely do the reconstruction. However, I am 56 and suffer a lot of infections so I will definitely get several opinions.  God Bless!

well, i am sorry to have to use this channel to get to you, but here is the thing;

i live in chile, south america now, and a few months ago i heard that an old friend of mine had cancer, i have tried to get in touch with her (you) but i´ve had no luck untill now, may be you dont remember me, well, my name is al carrasco, i am rauls brother, and son of rosario (charo) and raul. i hope i finnally get lucky and find who i am looking for, im not reallysure it is you, if you dont remember me yet, and you are not sure it is you i am looking for, let me check if i am right, youhave two brothers, fico and diego, and your dad´s name is victor, and your mom´s ely............

if i got lucky and really found you, please let me know, i would love to hear how you are doing now, well, AL.CARRASCO@HOTMAIL.COM thats my email, fell free to write when ever you can, and if i was not lucky (again) please, let me know.

bueno, eso seria todo por ahora, te deseo la mejor de las suertes en todo, seas quien busco o no lo seas, por favor, dime si te encontre o no, te dejo muchos besos, abrazos y bendiciones, bye 

I wish I had read your story first - I had 6 months chemo and 7 weeks of radiation. My plastic surgeon convinced me the best way was to put expanders in right at the double mastechomy.  BIG MISTAKE!! the right side/cancer couldn't expand to a C cup - I didn't mind, but DR said it would expand over time. 2nd BIG MISTAKE!  By the time my treatment was over, the right 'bump' had moved up and was as hard as a rock.  Then that DR left town and another took over.   When the reconstruction was done and implants were put in the burned skin open up and started oozing - it took 5 months for that to heal and 2 types of medication. Not only that but it is still about 2" higher than the left and flat on tip because the skin is so damaged.  DR won't touch it again as he says it's too damaged.  Can't even get a bra to fit right because of the diference in shape and height.  What a mess - Just wanted to let others know that it doesn't always turn out the way you want and surviving is the most important goal - not trying to look like you did before cancer -

thanks for letting me vent...

Hi Natalia,  I was diagnosed in January of this year and had a mastectomy in February followed by 6 chemo treatments - I have been really looking forward to reconstruction.  I had a consultation with my radiation oncologist yesterday and she scarred the crap out of me!!!  She told me I would 30 treatments, not be able to have an inplant due to the radiation, my breasts will not be the same size and that I would end up with scar tissue on my lungs but that if I choose not to go through with radiation I have a 25% chance of a reocurrance.  Yikes!  I am on a waiting list to speak with a plastic surgeon in my area who comes very highly recomended and specializes in breast reconstruction.  Thank you so much for your story... I will be checking back on your progress.  Best of luck to you!!!

Thanks for sharing your story.. I hope everything went well with your surgery and your up and running!!!!!