Breast reconstruction advise

[Shweta11]

I will be having a masectomy in two months after finishing my chemo. I would like to know if an immediate reconstruction can be done. I am thinking about implants, since I feel flap is risky.

[roxboxfox RadiationOncologist]

It completely depends on the expertise of your Local Breast Oncosurgeon, Plastic Surgeon and the experience they have had.

You will be needing Adjuvant Radiotherapy Treatment as well, which your Breast Oncosurgeon should communicate with the Plastic Surgeon.

In the International Arena, in high volume centres many world renowned centres would prefer an Immediate Reconstruction over an Implant keeping in mind the long term outcomes.

The risk with Immediate Reconstruction is that if its gets complicated, your Adjuvant Radiotherapy may get delayed by 2-3 months.

There are pros and cons, which you probably need to sit with your team and explore and ask your surgeon to show you pics of people who have underwent these procedures under their care.

[Shweta11 in reply to roxboxfox]

Thanks for the information. Yes radiotherapy is included in my treatment plan. I am inclined towards implant since I have heard the flap procedures are long and I am a bit scared.

[Supriya-s]

Hi Shweta,

Glad to hear that you are nearly finishing the chemo. That's a great stage to be in. I had a similar treatment schedule like you. Neo Adjuvant Chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and immediate reconstruction followed by radiotherapy.

Now that I'm on the other side having finished my treatment in August 2016, I feel it was well worth the risk to get immediate reconstruction done. I had a free tram flap reconstruction. I did run into some complications, but the doctors were experienced and I came through without too much hassle. Aesthetically, this has good results and you can hardly tell from the outside that I went through anything like this just this year. I had my treatment done in bangalore in Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center and the Plastic Surgeon was from Sparsh. They are experienced in this type of surgery and that really helped.

The thing with implants is you can have them put in only a year (recommended - some people say 6 months) after radiotherapy. You have a temporary implant in place for that one year through radiotherapy. Each method has its pros and cons - talk to your breast surgeon and plastic surgeon to find out which is the best method for you. Research online as well.

And good luck! Mail me if you need any more information.

[Shweta11 in reply to Supriya-s]

Hi Supriya,

I stay in Bangalore as well and currently undergoing treatment at Manipal. I am yet to meet a plastic surgeon to know my options.

How was the recovery from the flap reconstruction? I have heard it is a long procedure and this scares me.