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Breast Reconstruction

Talk with others facing decisions about whether or not to have breast reconstruction, and if so, what type and when.

Revision/Corrective Reconstruction Surgery - What's Your Experience?
Please share in this thread your experiences with revision or corrective reconstruction surgery. As a reminder, we'll be hosting a webinar called Corrective Breast Reconstruction: Getting the Results You Want on July 9 at 6pm ET. You can register here:…
Thinking About Reconstruction? Start Here
The main Breastcancer.org site features great, extensive information about Breast Reconstruction, including: * Is Breast Reconstruction Right for You? * Types of Reconstruction, featuring details on each kind of reconstruction surgery, what to expect, and risks * Pictures of Breast Reconstruction * Questions to Ask Your…
Long Shot - DIEP experience with Drs. Cacioppo and Cohen in Indianapolis?
I am currently undergoing delayed reconstruction with tissue expanders. My first plastic surgeon left the practice and I was transferred to Dr. Jason Cacioppo in the same practice after my first two or three fills. My current PS seems to think that my 400 cc expanders are likely too small for my frame (and I tend to agree,…
I FEEL LIKE THERE IS NO WAY I'M THE ONLY ONE GOING THRU THIS
I WAS DX IN 2019 WITH DCIS TX WITH LUMPECTOMY, RADIATION AND A POOR ATTEMPT AT FAT GRAFTING ALMOST A YEAR LATER. THEN MY REOCCURANCE IN 2024 LET ME KNOW THAT 2019 WAS JUST A PRACTICE ROUND. I AM CURRENTLY THREE WEEKS OUT RECOVERING FROM A DBL MASTECTOMY WITH DIEP FLAP RECONSTRUCTION.HERE I THOUGHT I MADE A POSITIVE OUT OF…
Shattered- Failed Re excision
My re excision report shows 18 mm of DCIS on inferior margins.The surgeon said he cant do third re excision as doing it means taking whole breast tissue and it will be as good as mastectomy .He said that his experience says that there is a lot DCIS around .Already he has taken a 9 cm wide margins Mastectomy was not what I…
Breast skin and scar after surgery and reconstruction
Hi I had double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants two months ago. I had nipple removed so my scars are across my breast. It’s been two months but my skins over that area are still super red and stiff/hard in texture. I don’t feel anything since I had no sensation over time area. I’m wondering if that is…
Breast reconstruction..which option is best, especially if you had radiation
Hi everyone, my name is Andy. I had a mastectomy on my left breast in March 2023 and have just consulted a plastic surgeon about reconstruction options. Can anyone who has had implants, flap-fat grafting, or DIEP flap share their experiences with me? I am kind of indecisive, but I would love to go for fat grafting, but I…
Concerned about possible symptoms
I had a radical double mastectomy in 2015, tissue expander, and the swap a year later. The last few months I've had sharp pain in the whole region, different areas. Very brief and mild but frequent and unexplained. I don't know what normally happens after reconstruction, long term. Has anyone had this experience? I also…
Seeking Advice on Breast Reconstruction After TNBC Recurrence
Hello everyone, I was initially diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) 11 years ago and underwent treatment at that time. Recently, I’ve been informed that the cancer has returned, but it’s still in the early stages. My doctor has suggested that I consider breast reconstruction surgery, but I’m currently…
Explant Surgery-
Hi- I had breast cancer and bilateral mastectomies 13 years ago and immediate reconstruction using silicone implants. I’m having the implants removed and plan to go flat. The surgeon I saw said that he could only partially remove the capsule since I have no breast tissue. Everything I read says it’s best to have the full…
Breast recon/implants -Successful Stories after Radiation
I wanted to find out if there were any success stories on this topic/procedure: Recentently I went to a PS . 4.5 years ago I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Although, my radiated breast is pretty much the same size, I have always wanted to get the fullness back in my breasts after having kids..etc... I'd always…
Replacing implants after 15 years
Has anyone had implants replaced? I would appreciate sharing about the experience.
Breast reconstruction revision
Hi! I am new to the forum. I was diagnosed in 2013 and after a double mastectomy I had reconstruction using expanders. I am interested in getting my implants removed and possibly replacing them with new implants. The problem is I was living in Florida when I had my reconstruction. I now live in Hickory, NC and have no idea…
Does insurance cover nipple tattooing?
I'm about 7 months post surgery for my reconstruction (triple negative, grade 3, high Ki67 IDC breast cancer) and I'm extremely pleased with the reconstruction thus far, but I'm looking at getting the 3D nipple tattooing done. Does anyone know if insurance has to cover this part of the reconstruction process? I've sent…
Bra recommendations?
Hi anyone have a recommended bra after reconstruction? I had implant for almost a months now. I’m still wearing the surgical bra given by the hospital. It is not that comfortable but support is good.
Fat grafting for reconstruction after implant loss
Hi, I am looking to find more recent experience of fat grafting for reconstruction. ie using only liposuction obtained fat, not the DIEP procedure. My surgeon has suggested this for me. It would result in a very small cup, possibly further procedures to "top up" with. He mentioned downtime and pain was "minimal". I was…
Recovery time for Implant reconstruction?
Hi I just had double mastectomy and reconstructive done in September. I had implant right after the mastectomy surgery. However, I’m not very happy with the result. I feel like they are too big and stiff, not comfortable. I didn’t know the doctor gave me a 585cc until after the surgery, that’s much bigger than my original…
Has anyone gotten the newer Mentor Boost implants?
I am ready for a 10-year implant exchange surgery and my PS is recommending the newer Mentor Boost implants that came out in 2022. Does anyone have these? What are your thoughts? Are they too firm to feel natural?
Time to replace implants
Hi all, I haven't been on here for a very long time! I have a few questions regarding having to replace silicone implants and whether to go with saline or silicone this time aroung. I recently saw my PS and since one of my current implants (silicone) is 10.5 years old, he is recommending replacing both soon. I have been…
Stacked DIEP or latissimus dorsi?
I am currently trying to decide between stacked DIEP and latissimus dorsi. I'm leaning torwards latissimus dorsi mainly because of the faster recovery (I have a four year old) but also because I'd prefer a scar on my back to across my stomach. However, I just read a few threads about latissimus dorsi that are scaring me!!…
Anyone need a touch up after tattoo?
Hi there! After 6 years, I FINALLY got myself all the way down to Maryland from Massachusetts to see Vinnie Myers and complete my reconstruction. I was extremely happy with the results but he warned me that since I have some areola tissue, the ink might not take as well on that part, and sure I've seen some fading. It…
Terrible pain from tissue expanders
Hi there, Last week I had a skin sparing double mastectomy/sentinel node removal with the placement of tissue expanders (300 cc's put in the left expander and 240 in the right). I am experiencing terrible pain/burning sensation along the bottom of the implant (top of rib cage area). I was in the hospital one night and was…
Diep flap survelliance
Has anyone with a Diep flap had a recurrence in that breast? How was it found?
Implant reconstruction after radiation
I have a recurrence of DCIS in my right breast. In 2017 I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I now need to have a mastectomy and I’m hoping to have an implant reconstruction, rather than the DIEP flap. Most of the conversations I’ve found on the success of an implant reconstruction years after having radiation are pretty old.…
Bras while waiting for exchange?
Hi. I have searched through everywhere for info on Bras, but it seems most recommendations are for either immediately after surgery (sports bras) or comfortable wire-free ones if you are semi-even. I've tried a number of those recommended front closure bras and so far the band is not wide enough. They are all too high and…
Implant Reconstruction AFTER Radiation
I have a unique history when it comes to reconstruction. I had saline implants prior to diagnosis and my breast surgeon asked if she could re-implant them when she did my double mastectomy. I then had chemo, followed by radiation. Fast forward 5 years later, and I decided to go for reconstruction. The "old" implants would…
Flipping Implant?
I’ve had my implants now for about 1 1/2 years and have recently noticed that 1 has started to flip-especially if I’m laying on my side or sleeping on my side. I only realize it because it’s physically obvious and I get a strange feeling (I don’t have any feeling in my chest since my BMX). It does flip back, but since this…
Breast Reconstruction
Hello, I just had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. It’s been 48 hours since my surgery and I feel that both of my breasts are becoming warm to the touch closer to the armpit area. Is it normal? I don’t have fever and generally feel well recovering from the surgery. There is a lot of swelling and…
Deciding on your implant location; Subpectoral or prepectoral
Good Afternoon Group. I met with both my BS and PS this week and was not aware of some decisions I need to make. Specifically under or over the muscle. I was naive and thought it was just a done deal to go under the muscle/Sub-pectoral. Turns out this was not the case. Both surgeons made arguments for and against both…
Exchange City
We love to include everyone's surgery dates - Please PM me and I will update the list to include you! The list keeps changing since we try to move forward as the dates move forward. Thanks. - Jean Useful web sites: Mentor: http://www.justbreastimplants.com/implants/mentor_specs.htm…
ISO a really skilled surgeon
Hello, I was diagnosed Stage 1A Triple Positive IDC in 2019. Genetics showed positive for ATM mutation. Had a bilateral mastectomy with direct to implant reconstruction, three fat grafting surgeries. All well until now. I need more fat grafting AND I think I may have BII. My right foob is really swollen and irritated after…
Delayed direct to Implant re-construction
Hi Everyone, My sister had double mastectomy in Jan. Her surgeon didn't recommend immediate re-construction. She is now thinking about direct to Implant re-construction. Please share your experience about direct to Implant re-construction. Thanks 😊

Breast Reconstruction

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