So I met with the plastic surgeon, Dr. G., today. We discussed my options for reconstruction after the mastectomy and decided that the tissue expanders are the best route for me since I've already had a tummy tuck. (Secret is out of the bag!) They will place the expander in behind the muscle during my mastectomy and that part takes about an hour and a half. I will stay in the hospital for 1-3 days, depending on how I'm doing. They will not be able to fill the expanders immediately because they are unsure if I need radiation or not. If I don't need radiation, I can start adding the saline about a month after surgery. This process takes about 3 months to get the desired volume. Then I will have another surgery to insert the implant. I will be off work for 6 weeks for my first surgery and 2 weeks for the 2nd surgery. They may or may not need to do another surgery down the road for nipple reconstruction and fat grafting, which helps shape the breast. Now, everyone is thinking...what size will she go with? I haven't even discussed that with the surgeon yet! LOL! That's the talk we have before the 2nd surgery. The fills will take about 3 months to do, going weekly to the office for fills. 90% of Dr. G's patients choose silicone over saline. Dr. G does about 2 reconstructions per week=100 per year. Insurance will pay for reconstruction. I will still need to have mammograms with the implants. Reoccurrences are not harder to find with implants either. I plan on getting this shirt when it's all said and done:
Dr Paul Gill