[Westcoastgirl]

I had bilateral reconstruction after radiation. I was not willing to do anything else to upset/scar my body so would only opt for silicone implants. I knew that implants were not recommended after radiation but I had had skin sparing mastectomies, took really good care of my skin during all my treatments, and waited a year after radiation to go directly to implants, no expanders. I had been a C cup and was happy to go with A cups to make the surgery less difficult. I have now had nipples created and am happy with the whole result. My ps said there are often problems when trying to use tissue grafts to create two mounds so I think he was relieved when I said I wanted only to try for implant reconstruction. I had my ps promise me that if the surgery did not work out then he would return me to my previous flat chested state. The radiated side is an adequate breast and the other breast is lovely so I am probably no different than a woman that had a lumpectomy done. I am probably overly critical and my very wise husband tells me both breasts are lovely. All the best, Carolyn