Need advice on reconstruction after radiation

[Val Pfeiffer]

I think I have decided to schedule reconstruction of my left breast. I am too slender to take tissue from any other body areas, so I will be using an expander. I won't have too far to stretch to match the other side; they will be putting a lift of some sort on the remaining breast to make them (somewhat) match.

I had 30 radiation treatments to my chest wall, axillary area, super clav and the incision (of course)--pretty wide area. I am worried about my skin's ability to stretch. My left side is pretty much skin over ribs right now, and sometimes my ribs hurt because there isn't any padding there to protect them!

Any of you undergo reconstruction after a similar radiation experience? Or any of the rest of you have advice?

thanks!!
Val

[Sheila]

VAl
Although I did not have radiation, a friend of mine did, and then underwent reconstruction...I had reconstruction and the best advice is to find an excellent plastic surgeon, and take the time for the tissue expanders to really stretch the skin...it is no picnic, getting inflated weekly...but the slower they go, the better the results. Mine was rushed due to mets and I developed capsullary adhesions to the implant....it hurts worse now that during the reconstruction, but I refuse to have surgery again for it! I just don't feel up to it!

[Ruth]

Hi Val,

I had reconstructive surgery with implants after radiation treatments ~ very similar to your situation. I am also slender and didn't have adequate tissue so I wanted to try this first. I couldn't be happier with the results. My skin and muscle were in great condition and that was one of the reasons that my PS was willing to try it after the radiation. I went to 3 different PS's and they all had different ideas...I picked mine since he was the most experienced and believed in the success of it. You probably know that it has a high failure rate BUT it can be done. He filled my expander VERY slowly...only 30 cc's every two weeks. It was a long time to finally get it to where it needed to be & that was the most difficult part of the the whole process. It is very tight at the end and gave me some discomfort...but him doing this slowly was worth it. I started last Thanksgiving with the expander placed & augmentation done on my remaining breast...then he slowly filled the expander until March and I had the exchange done with nipple reconstruction at the same time. I recently had a lift done on the radiated side since the implant slipped out of position (which is a common experience since we have hardly any tissue holding it up). He used a synthetic material to hold it into place. They look wonderful and this was the right way for me to go. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Ruth