I hear ya, sister...even with my orrmant implants, radiated side high and tight, plus some implant buckling under the pressure that makes, you said it, a 'devil horn'. Mehhhh....

So, regarding a dermatologist: my thought is that one would defer entirely to a PS and RO with regard to what's happening with your radiated skin and recon. This *may* be entirely over his head in terms of how to proceed.
What she definitely would be able to do for you is provide a thorough education in terms of how your skin is responding to these assaults, like an expert traffic reporter on the scene of a car crash...he wouldn't be called to perform EMT services, right? He'd definely step back for the specialists to do their thang.

I'd set up anyway with a derm, mostly because I'm a victim of my own head in that I *neeeeed* to know why things are the way they are. If you do, pull out as much info as you can, and take her to the edge of her knowledge and recommendations.

Break? Girl, it goes in fits and spurts form here to the end of time. Just this morn I found myself seeing red when the receptionist at my onco office countered my complaint that I couldn't be seen at a hospital closer to me for a follow-up with the fact that she drives to this location every day. For work. Which she chose. And for which she's compensated with a paycheck.
I *reminded* her I didn't elect to have cancer, nor it's frustrations, so cut me some slack.

We'll come to the end of our tether many times my friend. It's important to consciously accept that it's par for the course, and to meet them, when they slap up on the back of the head, with a swift side-step, leaving them in our dust.

Roll on forward, sister soldier.

((Hug))

I am getting my fillers now and my expanders hurt. I have been using coco butter bar. The kind they used to use when you were pregnant and didn't want stretch marks. It smells so good and makes my skin feel a wee bit better.

@A MyBCTeam Member mentioned collagen. I have been using Great Lakes Collagen powder for years to strengthen my joints and bones. I am now into my 6th week of radiation and my skin and incisions look great. The only place I am burned is under my arm. My left expander has shrunk a little but that is about it. I will call my PS when I am finished next week to assess the damage and figure out when I can get permanent implants. I use mostly coconut oil, vitamin e oil and some organic aloe.

Mentioned Users

A MyBCTea...

Thank you so much everyone, especially Karen for your advice.

I see my PS on Tuesday so will research the links you included over the next day. Do you recommend I consult with a dermatologist as well? To answer your question, yes, the incision failure occurred after my original permanent implant was put in. 4 surgeries later and I am back with the tissue expander, which is very painful. The original TE's were a breeze for me with minimal discomfort. Also, the TE 'bag' start to protrude in 2 areas earlier this week and is now to the point which one has just barely broken through the skin as of tonight and the other looks as if it will at any moment. It literally looks like I have grown two horns. I'm trying to keep a level head, but I just can't seem to catch a break! The left side looks beautiful and the right is a disaster!

I have the same, high and tight right side. I've been considering a DIEP flap surgery. Hoping they can just get rid of the damaged radiation tissue altogether.