I had a double mastectomy in June of 2013 followed by chemo and radiation. I finished 30+ rounds of radiation on my right side only in November of 2013, I waited until March of 2015 to start reconstruction. I had tissue expanders put in on March 16th. I get them removed and swapped out for implants next Wednesday. Im hoping there will be no complications. My doctors all said that waiting over a year for the skin to heal has been very helpful. I lotioned it every day as well, with a no scent lotion to keep the skin soft. My right side is definitely tighter and harder with the expansion. Im hoping some of that is the actual expander. I've got a little more liquid in the right side because it isn't quite as supple. Every case is different though,. And its not just the skin that gets nuked, but the muscle as well...

I had radiation for 36 rounds and had no skin breakdown at all with the radiation. Six months later I decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction for a peace of mind. My plastic surgeon had me wait a year after my last radiation treatment before I could have the reconstruction. The tissue expanding process was uncomfortable on days that the expanders got the fills but tolerable. Six weeks After I got the expanders exchanged for the implants I developed an infection on the radiated side and had the implant removed. Then four months later I had a latissimus dorsi flap done and went the whole expander process again! My plastic surgeon said that he and several other doctors were not going to do anymore expanders after a patient had radiation and would go straight to the flap procedure on radiated skin. It took over four surgeries to get my implants to match at that point! My first instinct when I was diagnosed with breast cancer was to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction but several people changed my mind....should have stuck with my instinct!!!

I have expanders now, before radiation. I was told that they wanted to stretch the skin now and overstretch because radiation will effect the skin afterward (the elasticity and ability to stretch it). I was told that information from my plastic surgeon.

Mmmm my Oncologist told me I could get breast implants after I had a double mastectomy? I also had 33 rounds of radiation, and she said that would not cause any issues with the implants. I was told to wait at least a year after the radiation before I get the implants, so I would have time to heal from the mastectomies. I sure hope my Oncologist was correct because I have been told I do not have enough skin for a flap procedure due to a pervious surgery, on my stomach they can only use one side of my stomach.

JennaB: I'm sorry to hear that! The bilateral mastectomy was the most painful surgery and it was months before I started feeling a little more normal. I can't imagine getting expanders put in on top of it. That part wasnt painful on its own, more discomfort, but with a bilateral then expanders put right in, you will have a more painful process. Keep on top of the pain meds! And rest if you can. It is great news that you havent had an infection. You'll get through this!