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Becky · 02-22-2009, 06:34 AM

Hi

Although I did not have my breasts removed, I am seriously contemplating it and have researched reconstruction and gone to seminars.

I am not interested in implants but from my research, if you get radiation and the rads are done before the reconstruction then nipples cannot be made from the skin that was radiated and they use skin from the inside of your thigh. Also, radiated skin may not stretch as easily as skin that is not radiated. However, if done before rads, you could get some capsulation (odds are well in your favor that this would not happen). Are you getting the new "gummy bear" silicone implants. Ask your PS about them because I heard in a recent seminar that they are superior and they should be getting FDA approval as we speak.

You should also ask your PS about the pros and cons of reconstruction before or after rads as they would have the best perspective of this.

02-22-2009, 06:34 AM	#6
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Hi Although I did not have my breasts removed, I am seriously contemplating it and have researched reconstruction and gone to seminars. I am not interested in implants but from my research, if you get radiation and the rads are done before the reconstruction then nipples cannot be made from the skin that was radiated and they use skin from the inside of your thigh. Also, radiated skin may not stretch as easily as skin that is not radiated. However, if done before rads, you could get some capsulation (odds are well in your favor that this would not happen). Are you getting the new "gummy bear" silicone implants. Ask your PS about them because I heard in a recent seminar that they are superior and they should be getting FDA approval as we speak. You should also ask your PS about the pros and cons of reconstruction before or after rads as they would have the best perspective of this. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"