Expander or not after mastx, before radiation & DIEP?

[Callygee]

Help! Any advice out there on whether to have expander placed at mastectomy time, then have rads, then reconstrux -
or to do without the expander? I understand the expander, if successful during radiation, will help make more use of my own skin for a DIEP flap PLUS I will wake up with a mound (at least) if not a breast. Or, do away with possible complications from a radiated expander AND not have polyethylene inside my body - let alone radiated polyethylene,
but live with an ugly, flat  scar while I get rads & wait for reconstrux...
After recently finishing chemo & dealing with frustrating treatments since last August, I'm blocked for decision making. I'm spent. I need to schedule surgery within the next couple of days to move ahead with it all.

[MalindaCarolyn]

My sister had a mastex 10 years ago and had the flap surgery at the same  time. She had the insert put in and the saline inserted, but had problems with it and had it taken out. The scar isn't ugly, when it heals it is just part of you.

She is very happy, without reconstruction. Says she wouldn't do it if had do over. Some people can and need it, but she was young and newly married and they don't mind (still) after 10 years.

She looks like Susan  to me.

You need to think of what you would be happy with. In the end, you must be happy with what you choose. People will accept you as you then.It is a tough call.

I was just sent to oncol. Surgeon for a lump and what Susan has gone through will help me to make decisions. She is so outgoing and plays in a bell choir and active. Just finished another go round-- with college. She's my baby sister. She's such a role model to me.I think her sense of humor helped so much.

[Callygee]

As I understand it - most often there is no need. I am getting ALL and everything thrown at me. First dx, approx. 2.7 cm tumor rt breast, ER, PR, HEr2 pos. MRI showed swollen node, needle bio in office showed positive. Had chemo. Learned I was NOT her2neu pos. changed chemo. Had MRI, everything looked shrunken in half. Had lumpectomy & SNB. All nodes clear, tumor 1.4 cm BUT I had microfocalized tumor bits throughout the removed tissue, 6.2 cm. So, more (correct chemo) ,now mastexw/DIEP construx same time (I hope), then rads to kill those uninvited little cancer cells, if there is any left of it at this time! I'm hoping the DIEP will be a little less recovery than the tram. My muscle stays put with the DIEP.
You will feel better & better. 3 weeks! good going woman! You are on your way to recovery, hooray!

Thanks for the bald compliments. And if they are offering treatment - I figure go for it!
Hit this with everything in the hopes that you'll never have to do this again.
Great site for headcoverings - I never would have managed as well without them:
http://www.4women.com/
Good luck. Keep us posted on how doing,

[Kelleen]

I was told there was no need for radiation after a total mastectomy so I'm curious for more details about your staging.  Would you please share more.  I am 3 weeks out today from a rt total with TRAM flap reconstruction.  I'm still not healed well enough to recommend it to anyone, OUCH!  And due to my ONCOtyping results chemo is being recommended even though my nodes were negative.

By the way, you look beautiful bald!

Thanks,
Kelleen