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• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  March 13, 2012 11:19:25 AM WATime

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  Want to know more about reconstruction surgery after mastectomy? I have compiled a fact sheet to explain in simple terms what is involved.  The reconstruction fact sheet can be found here

   

   

  NB: The link provided in the fact sheet to the Cancer Council information booklet titled "Understanding Breast Prosthesis and Reconstruction" is now defunct. The new link is:  http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Can094-BreastProsthesis_Cover+Booklet_lo-website_June11.pdf

   

   

  Cheers, Glenys (BCN) xx

   

   

  This post was edited by Glenys at March 13, 2012 11:19:25 AM WATime"

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  March 15, 2012 6:09:52 PM WATime

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  I think it would be good to have information on the down side of gel implant reconstruction. The possible complications and reactions. The need to have them replaced every 8-10 yrs. Also the link www.cancercouncil.com.au/html/patientsfamiliesfriends/livingwithcancer/breastfor
  msprostheses/downloads/breastforms_prostheses.pdf provided in the fact sheet appears to be broken.
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  March 15, 2012 11:18:23 PM WATime

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  Thanks Sue - I've discovered they have changed the address for link to http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Can094-BreastProsthesis_Cover+Booklet_lo-website_June11.pdf
  As soon as I can I will have this amended on the fact sheet.
  Aspects of the advantages and disadvantages of implant reconstruction are discussed in the booklet, including replacement (generally extended for the newer implants to need replacing after 10-20 years - possibly longer. Discuss directly with surgeon re: type of implant and probable replacement time-frame).
  I can certainly explore any aspects further if anyone has any queries.
  Cheers, Glenys

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• kayg

  

  • 2 posts
  March 16, 2012 10:27:09 AM WATime

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  This fact sheet on reconstruction is a great resource. Its clear and easy to understand. I will direct people to this from my blog. Kay

  Hi I am a creative arts therapist. I had a mastecomy 2 years ago and am still undecided as to whether to have a reconstruction. I am doing a Doctorate in Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy exploring womne's experience of their bodies following a mastecomy. I have a blog http://breastlesslandscape. I'd love you to particpate in this is if you want. Kay

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  March 16, 2012 11:52:44 AM WATime

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  Yes indeed Kay, its one of the best I've seen too x
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  March 16, 2012 11:58:52 AM WATime

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  Hopefully the newer ones are constructed differently and time will tell. I will go read the article and see what they have to say. Hopefully the info isn't from the manufacturers lol

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  March 17, 2012 7:47:08 PM WATime

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  Unfortunately I read in the Weekend Australian this weekend that Australian Medical regulators has urged women who have had implants fitted as long ago as 1998 to find out what brand of implant they were given. The French company PIP may have been using unauthorized gel since 1999. It would be nice to think West Aussie Surgeons didn't use them but I can't imagine why not.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• jezza

  

  • 2 posts
  April 1, 2012 7:51:49 AM WATime

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  My recon was completed over 19 years ago. I have saline implants and still have the original ones and have had no problems (so far). I guess the time will come when they need replacement but just want to say that some of the "old" implants are doing ok!

  DX Jan 1992 9mm IDC Grade 3 LB mastectomy RB prophylactic mastectomy 6 months later. Tissue expanders and saline implants. Clear nodes. No chemo no rads 20 years clear.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  April 1, 2012 1:07:54 PM WATime

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  Indeed. But i don't think the problem is with saline implants. My understanding is that saline doesn't go hard over time like gel ones can, and if they do burst the saline is processed by the body.

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..

• jezza

  

  • 2 posts
  April 1, 2012 1:40:45 PM WATime

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  You're right Susan..the saline doesn't go hard over time but with both you can get a hard shell around them called capsular contraction. If a saline implant leaks you know about it pretty quickly as the implant deflates. With silicone it can leak gradually over the years.Apparently the silicone give a better result appearance wise though.

  When I had mine done silicone wasn't available because of the number of court cases being heard. I didn't have a choice but in hindsight I'm not upset by that.

  This post was edited by jezza at April 1, 2012 1:40:45 PM WATime"

  DX Jan 1992 9mm IDC Grade 3 LB mastectomy RB prophylactic mastectomy 6 months later. Tissue expanders and saline implants. Clear nodes. No chemo no rads 20 years clear.

• SueB

  

  • 52 posts
  April 1, 2012 3:28:34 PM WATime

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  Yes I think gel implants have had a bit of a shonky history lol I'm happy to not have any foreign bodies in my body now. Congrats on being 20yr clear! That is inspirational. x
  

  69yr old Mother of 2 adult daughters and I have 6 g/kids. Diagnosed November 2014 with reoccurring BC.  The journey continues..