Hi, After being diagnosed with TNBC in Dec 11 and having a lumpectomy followed by Chemo and radiation, I also decided to have a double mastectomy as I dont want to go through all this again. Being only 36 when diagnosed with 2 kids and my mum has had breast cancer twice, I feel it was the right decision. I had surgery 2 weeks ago with immediate expanders put in then will have silicone implants put in next year. Has anyone else had implants put in after having radiation ??

Hi, You basically just wrote my story! I had the chemo/radio and now am deciding whether to have surgery to make everything even again or get the double and implants. I can't decide which one to go with so if anyone has any suggestions/advice that would be great! Ta :-)

HI Sen, Its so good to find someone that is going through the same as me, I'm sorry to hear that you have had a wound breakdown. Fingers crossed it all gets better soon. I am due for my third fill tomorrow, my surgeon is only putting in 60 each time (taking it slow). But i can tell that the radiated side is so much tighter then the other. I'm also on the waiting list to have genetic testing and next year will look into having ovaries etc out as well. Have you gone down that path at all ?? Will definately keep in touch , Take care Karen

Hi Ladies, I'm currently waiting for my surgeon to get back to me about my options. This is going to sound really naive, but can someone please explain the expanders? I haven't discussed this with him yet but was hopeing that it would be one surgery and then I would have my cleaveage back!! Guessing nothing's that easy for us these days?? Thanks for any advice you have :-)

Hi That's ok feel free to ask any questions, that's what we are here for. The expanders are basically deflated implants that are put in under your chest muscle after a mastectomy , then they are injected every one or two weeks with a saline solution to stretch your skin to make room for the silicone implants. There are a few different reconstruction options which your surgeon will go through with you , depending on your build they can take muscle , skin etc from stomach, or shoulder blades which I believe gives you instant cleavage. It just depends your body. I hope this helps.

Hey Karen , Thankyou for that I go in every few days and they cut away the scab it's getting their but is left a very large scar from my now demented nipple to the mastectomy scar. I had at the surgery 75 in each side , both are now at 175 yes the radiated side is more tighter but she is attempting a few more fills . I either get 50 or 25 put in . Each time . I'd prefer it slow because I'm still on endone. Where abouts are you situated. I have been told to have the ovaries within 4 years I'm not sure yet I really think my body has had enough. X sen

DoubleMastectomy&reconstruction | BCNA Online Network

12 Replies

Deb001
Member
13 years ago
Hi - I have just been tested BRCA2 positive and will also get my ovaries out later next year after I have finished chemo.

Not sure where you are getting your genetic test done but Peter Mac got me in straight away and then I had to wait for results about 3 weeks. They are fab!

I've had my kids so getting ovaries out isn't that big a deal.
Deb001
Member
13 years ago
Hi. I had bilateral mastectomy 4 weeks ago and had chest expanders put in. I didn't have enough fat tummy for flaps. A flap operation is also major surgery, so the recovery time wasn't very appealing.

Having reduced recovery times, tiny little scars etc - the expanders are a great option and I have instant cleavage! Good thing is you can go as small or as large as you want!

One of my breasts was radiated 10 yrs ago and he is needing to coax that one a bit more than the other but so far the results have been amazing. Each time I have a fill, I feel a bit tired and sore for the next 24 hours but then I am as good as gold.

The end results in the pictures the surgeon showed me look amazing and I am already happy with where I am at. Much better than my old set!
sen
Member
13 years ago
Hey Erin & Karen, All surgeries are painful unfortunantly , mine was a bit more due to the wound breakdown . We just battle on , the breakdown really did my head i still am pretty traumatized over it ... I'm in Melbourne too , I suggest you see a few reco plastic surgeons before you decide . Due to me being slim it was either reconstruct using the muscle off the back and tissue expanders or tissue expanders ... I really didn't want another scar on my back .... But now considering the scar this breakdown has caused I wish I had...
Erin_81
Member
13 years ago
Hey,

That's my issue, I don't have a lot of fat, which I spose is a good thing!

Not a fan of the painful idea though! Really doesn't sound like fun, and I'm sorry that you had to go through the pain and scabs. As if you haven't gone through enough already!

Yes, I'm in Melbourne, am seeing my surgeon soon. He is amazing and has been great through everything so hopefully he'll steer me in the right direction.

Will let you know how I go.

:-)
Erin_81
Member
13 years ago
Hey,

That's my issue, I don't have a lot of fat, which I spose is a good thing!

Not a fan of the painful idea though! Really doesn't sound like fun, and I'm sorry that you had to go through the pain and scabs. As if you haven't gone through enough already!

Yes, I'm in Melbourne, am seeing my surgeon soon. He is amazing and has been great through everything so hopefully he'll steer me in the right direction.

Will let you know how I go.

:-)
jjmum
Member
13 years ago
HI Sen

I know what you mean , our bodies have been through so much. It will all be worth it in the end ! I just hope by doing all of this that we can just get on with life and not have to go through all this again.

I'm in Brisbane , where abouts are you ?

Karen
sen
Member
13 years ago
Hey Erin , There is lot of options I'm quite lim and I have no fat or skin so we went the expander option which is quite painful.... Where are you situated if in melb I can recommend surgeons .
sen
Member
13 years ago
Hey Karen , Thankyou for that I go in every few days and they cut away the scab it's getting their but is left a very large scar from my now demented nipple to the mastectomy scar. I had at the surgery 75 in each side , both are now at 175 yes the radiated side is more tighter but she is attempting a few more fills . I either get 50 or 25 put in . Each time . I'd prefer it slow because I'm still on endone. Where abouts are you situated. I have been told to have the ovaries within 4 years I'm not sure yet I really think my body has had enough. X sen
jjmum
Member
13 years ago
Hi

That's ok feel free to ask any questions, that's what we are here for. The expanders are basically deflated implants that are put in under your chest muscle after a mastectomy , then they are injected every one or two weeks with a saline solution to stretch your skin to make room for the silicone implants. There are a few different reconstruction options which your surgeon will go through with you , depending on your build they can take muscle , skin etc from stomach, or shoulder blades which I believe gives you instant cleavage. It just depends your body. I hope this helps.
Erin_81
Member
13 years ago
Hi Ladies,

I'm currently waiting for my surgeon to get back to me about my options.

This is going to sound really naive, but can someone please explain the expanders? I haven't discussed this with him yet but was hopeing that it would be one surgery and then I would have my cleaveage back!! Guessing nothing's that easy for us these days??

Thanks for any advice you have :-)