I had two referrals for the reconstruction consult - one with a female PS new to K-W & one with Dr. Elmaraghy. I went with my gut and chose Dr. E as he has extensive experience in reconstruction and was honest about the risks after radiation. Also, when I saw the other PS, she was recommending fat grafting but neglected to tell me that I would have to pay out of pocket for that portion of the procedure.
Interestingly, I mentioned to my PS that I had another consult prior to seeing him & he asked what I thought of the other PS as they were considering bringing her into their pool of plastic surgeons who cover the clinic they run at the hospital (surgical follow-ups are done there until the final appointment where after photos are taken).

Chickpea: I am in Canada.

I had surgery for reconstruction post-radiation using a pedicled flap from side of chest and fat grafting. PS told me that the stem cells in the grafted fat would reverse some of the thinning of the skin due to radiation. Unfortunately, I developed an infection after surgery which took out the grafted fat. My second reconstruction attempt (which was successful) was to place a saline filled implant on the BC side & lift on the nonBC side. My flap was perfect & didn’t lose any of it, but not sure if the grafted fat had a chance to ‘work its magic’ on the skin. My implant surgery was at the end of April 2018 and all is well - I have two ‘sisters’ who match in shape and size; I am happy since that was my goal!

Thank you, I’m going to go to the guy at Women’s College and go to your guy for a second opinion.

I’m just north of Toronto.

Fat grafting hasn’t been approved yet by OHIP. With the way Ford is treating health care it won’t be approved under his government.

Hence I’m searching for Doctors that do the procedure. I’m in the medical field myself and married to an Anaesthetist. I’m being referred to Womens College but after much research on the subject it comes down to those that have done it longer are having better results. Looking for someone who’s been doing it for a while. It’s the standard of care in Europe and just starting to happen in the US and Canada to regenerate radiated skin for implants. Implants on there own after radiation have a 50% fail rate and I’m looking for the best shot possible. Happy New Year, here’s to a better year for us all.