How long does it usally take to complete breast reconstruction?
Hi this is Stepaheda,
I had a double mastectomy on July 16, 2008. The doctors assured me that they were able to get all of the cancer, and that there is no need for follow up treatment. However, I do have to complete the reconstruction. I have the expanders in right now, and it's not too bad, a little un-comfortalbe and heavy but ok. I go to my doctor in about a wk and half for the first saline filling. But I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has been throught this, "How long will it take before the process will be finshed? I'm just looking forward to just being able to move around get back to living? I just moved to a new home and am unable to do anything, but just sit and read and wait. Then doctor said that he should be able to have it completed in 4 to 6 month. Does that sound right?
Thank you, Stepaheda
Hi Stepaheda: I think Angi can answer this question much better than I. I know the expanders are there to stretch your skin, and it's a many-months process; but that doesn't mean you have to be inactive all that time! Angi will fill you in. In the meantime, we have a series of FAQS on breast reconstruction, including saline implants, that I think you'll find useful. Good luck - PJH
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Hi Stepaheda!
i've been going through reconstruction for quite a long time now - but it's because part way through my plastic surgeon found out my cancer had returned in my chest wall.
What I was doing prior to the discovery took less than 3 months. I had a smaller size expander in and they reached near their maximum when I told the doc they just weren't big enough - I mean if I had boobs left, then they would have been huge, but since I had a mastectomy on each side I had no foundation to build them upon. 700cc's only equated to about a b cup. So it really depends on how big you want to go. So after we agreed they weren't of the right size, he took me back into surgery and swapped them out for larger ones and that is when he found my cancer - and since it returned, I had to halt the saline injections cause of radiation (don't want to get it off track by expanding your chest) My doc was putting about 100cc's each week. They will do more as long as you can tolerate it. The first few days will feel a little tight, but by your next visit you'll feel good again. I recommend taking some tylenol or advil prior to going, so you ready for a little discomfort - afterall he is going to stick a rather large needle through you chest wall into the implant....but it really doesn't hurt, the anxiety or anticipation of it is worse.
In order to keep a nice soft, natural feel to them I would highly recommend massaging them so you don't aquire any fat necrosis around the incision site (which will feel hard) you doc may also want you to rub them down in a certain way to avoid them from shifting - sometimes they can move upwards or to the middle, but when your doc does the final surgery he should make "pockets" to hold them in place.
Once you get to the size you want, you go back into surgey and they swap the expanders out for implants (and if you've discussed the need, he may also transfer over some muscle or tissue from another area like my surgeon is going to do) then 3 months down the road when they are well healed you will do the aerola part which is where they take a piece of skin from another area to make the nipple and tattoo on the aerola - this part can also be skipped if you so choose.
So after you get your expanders you'll probably heal for about a month (at the time of placement some saline will already be in them), then weekly injections of 100-150cc, then surgery to exchange for implants, then heal another 4-6 weeks to be able to lift things (like laundry baskets or carry groceries, etc) and return to normal, then another 8 weeks to get your nipples and you'd be done - so in all 6 months is a fairly accurate amount of time for the whole shebang. But keep in mind that it also depends on size and if there are complications (like I had 2 attempts fail prior to this due to dying tissue/skin). Oh and keep in mind that after your initial surgery, while you are going through injections you can do some light lifting, exercising, etc. and go about your normal routine - just stay away from strenuous activities, especially ones involving the arms/chest.
Good luck, I hope it all works out the way you want - and don't worry you will get used to them, they are a little uncomfortable at first, because they are not your natural breast, but then that feeling will subside. My one breast is so soft and natural feeling & looking - so you can get good results (my other breast has fat necrosis in it that will be removed when I undergo surgery again) and providing you have a good doctor you'll be just fine. I love my surgeon, he literally saved my life - so I trust him with it. It's important to have a good connection with your surgeon!
Best of luck to you! The next 6 months are going to fly right by!
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almlovesu
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Angi
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM
The whole reconstruction process varies slightly depending on how large you are wanting to go. I filled to 100cc's which took less than 6 weeks because at the time of insertion my expanders had already been filled a bit. I also handled the pain rather well, even though at times it was very painful and bore through 2 cracked ribs in the process. I allowed for 100cc's a week, sometimes more. After you get your final fill, your doctor will likely have you wait a couple weeks for things to stretch and settle before swapping out the expanders for implants. Now granted, when I went through all of my reconstruction attempts, I was not going through chemo - which I am sure will play a factor into when surgery is possible. Last year when I had my recurrence, I had to go through 7 weeks of radiation which held up reconstruction for a year from the time he had found the recurrence to the time we started my injections again. Though radiation is a lot different cause it directly affects your skin, and that it why there was a delay. I would say you'd probably be done in about 6 months, but with chemo involved it is hard to say. They will not allow you to go in for surgery if you are not 100% healthy, cause you cannot risk getting an infection when your blood counts are already down. I know you're eager for this to all be over, but just hang in there and don't rush it.
Good luck!
Angi
I need to know this too! I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of this year and things have just been like I'm on a runaway train! I have expanders right now and I'm getting ready to start chemo next week! When I had the double mastectomy in July, my doctors advised that I begin breast reconsrtuction right away. Now its been about a month and a half and I had to have surgery again a week ago because a CT Scan showed I had 3 large cysts in my left ovary! And during that surgery, they inserted my mediport at the same time. Now I have to get expanded, get chemo and heal from this recent surgery as well! I am so frustrated with everything right now...I couldn't even begin the saline injections because one of my breast incisions was not healing properly! Somebody help!