Negative impact of radiation on Flap (autologous) reconstruction??

aimsagi
aimsagi Member Posts: 1 ✭
edited January 8 in General discussion
Hi all, will have mastectomy in a couple of months time, am considering to have an immediate breast reconstruction (IBC) using my own tissues/ flap (autologous). Unfortunately, I will have a series of radiation after the IBC.   I am worried the radiotherapy will kill/destroy/ causing complications on the flaps.  I did some research at my end.  However the comments were conflicting.  Therefore would appreciate your advice.  Please..no advice is too silly.  Thanks heaps!
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  • Julez1958
    Julez1958 Member Posts: 1,275 ✭
    edited January 9
    Hi @aimsagi
    I had a mastectomy and due to the size of my tumour my specialist team  recommended I would need radiotherapy.
    My plastic surgeon advised that having the reconstruction ( I had DIEP flap using my tummy fat) before the radiotherapy would damage the result so I had a skin sparing mastectomy with insertion of a tissue expander and then the reconstruction surgery 8 months after the radiotherapy was completed ( my plastic surgeon said I needed to wait at least 6 months).
    This meant 2 surgeries and I found the tissue expander quite uncomfortable but the result I was very happy with - I ended up getting a mastectomy on the other breast when I had the reconstruction so I had both sides reconstructed and had symmetry.
    My story and photos along with many others are in the private group on here “ Choosing breast reconstruction” .

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