I had a lumpectomy and radiation on my left side and then a year later it came back on the same side so at that point I had a double mastectomy. I waited a whole year before beginning the reconstruction mainly because I didn't want any foreign objects in my body while it tried to heal..I don't regret it. I just finished my reconstruction, I had my switch out surgery yesterday, relieved its over and I feel like it was the right decision for me.

I got my implants 3 months after radiation which is pretty fast compared to what most others do. My implants look very nice and feel great compared to the expanders. No drains post surgery (woohoo!) and the recovery is sooooo much easier than mastectomy. I felt good within days of getting my implants, and i really don't remember having pain even the day after surgery. Good luck @A MyBCTeam Member

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A MyBCTea...

I finished radiation in April and in June got my new foobs. The surgery was so much easier than the mastectomies. I didn't have any drains. It was an outpatient surgery. Wishing you all the luck.

My plastic surgeon wouldn't not do it any sooner than 6 months after radiation. He said the skin needs to heal well and there are vascular changes that need time to heal. No drains there is some pain. I did have the fat grafting to smooth out the breast area. So I have to wear spanx for 3 weeks and a sports bra. It is wonderful to have the expander gone.

My PS said 6 months. I had my switch on March 31st. Now although I did not have any signs of outward effects from the radiation(33 treatments) I can definitely see and feel the difference side to side.
As others have said no drains (YAY!!!) but quite honestly I had more discomfort for a longer time after the switch out than I did with the original mastectomy. But still nothing a few pain meds couldn't manage... And sleeping propped up for about 3 weeks...
I go back in Sept for another fat grafting session then I should be done.