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Have been beginning to think about reconstruction options.. Had right breast mastectomy in 2015 and radiation treatment shortly after..looking for feedback from others that have had reconstruction years later after radiation treatment
My surgeon had me wait for approximately 9 months post radiation. He has gradually rebuilt the nipple, followed by the areola on the side that could not have nipple sparing, fat graphing and next week my tattoos to restore color to both sides. It has made me feel normal and regain control to "put it back" and make it quality and like Nature gave me originally. No complications, fortunately and I work out a lot. Also, interview reconstruction surgeons. Some are true artists and compassionate.
Radiation therapy compromises the skin and makes it more likely that you may have complications with reconstruction.
I had my implants placed about 14 weeks after radiation. During radiation my skin barely tanned. I thought the skin looked pretty good compared to most people. My PS told me the radiated skin was very thin. During the implant surgery he had to use a lot of Alloderm to rebuild my chest wall and pocket. After surgery it was extremely painful but my implants looked good. Around week 3, I developed Capsular Contracture in my radiated breast. It started to tighten and sat high while my other implant fell into the pocket and actually started to sag. There was almost a 2 inch difference between the 2 sides. The only way I could make them appear even was to wear a madtectomy bra with prothestics over my implants and to hike the non radiated side strap up about 2 inches. I could only stand a bra for an hour or so before it started to hurt. So I just went braless and wore baggy clothes to hide the Assymetry. I was in constant pain because the radiated skin kept tightening around my implant. While it was not red before my implant surgery the tightening caused it to become very red and even thinner. My incision came open twice forcing me back into surgery. The last time the PS had to sew my incision I to my chest muscle to prevent it from opening again and getting infected. AFter about 7 months I told my new PS I wanted them out. I couldn't sleep and I was in constant pain.
@A MyBCTeam Member @A MyBCTeam Member can you guys shed some light on your experience with reconstruction after your radiation? I know what I have seen from the stand point of a nurse doing reconstruction on radiated breasts (which never seem to turn out right...).. but I don't have personal experience since I didn't do radiation.
I had a lat flap 3 years after radiation. One corner took longer to heal and my skin is really thin in the bottom half (not where the flap is)
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