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Posted by April on 5/22/2012, 4:08 pm, in reply to "Type and Timing of Mastectomy and Recon?????"
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Hey Kathy
I have done DBL Mascetomy with immediate tissue expander reconstruction, I had cancer in R side but opted for Both.
In my talking to other woman some feel the results with waiting "may" not be as great cosmetically speaking, due to skin grafting and not just stretching our own skin which is done with expander recon.
Additionally when doing Flap Recon size is an issue if you wre a DD and want to keep your size this will be a an issue with any other recon EXCEPT tissue expanders where you can go back to your normal size or smaller if you are so inclined, not much choice with Flap recon, something to think about that they DO NOT mention to us, B is the largest with that procedure, however you can down the road get implants to go larger, but I think that's silly as they only reason woman go the FLAP procedure is to use their own tissue and want nothing foriegn in their bodies, so implants kinda defeats the cause LOL
I am extremely happy with my results they look amazing besides a small scar on each breast you really wouldnt know they are really "artifical boobs".
I know if made a HUGE difference to me mentally having breasts throighout this entire ordeal, I could wear a swim suit/ regular shirts etc and never was self conscience..it is a personal choice but ask ALOT of questions...Flap is a BIG surgery with a much longer recovery time then TE...its alot to think about..Good Luck and more questions ask away
April
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