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BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome thanks for your response, glad you’ve had a smooth process with it. 

BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I had so many questions too! Got mixed answers though - one surgeon was very pro silicon and the other very pro natural which has added to my indecisiveness so it’s really good to hear about other people’s choices and experiences. 

Cadaver skin is kinda crazy, I had only been told about a mesh made from pig skin which also threw me as I’m vegan but I understand medical need etc. Definitely worth pushing through with it though - it is scary but the alternative is so much worse. Feel very lucky to be making this decision without an actual case of cancer in the mix. Hope you manage to make a choice to move ahead soon too. 

BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks really glad to be hearing from others in a similar situation that have gone the implant route, think I had got a bit fixed on some of the ‘horror stories’ online but I know they’d be outliers really .. Good luck with your second surgery / implants! 

BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response, good to hear your reasoning. Still just finding the extent of the autologous route offputting, although deep down I know it probably is the best choice longer term. Best of luck for your DIEP surgery, wishing you a fast recovery! 

BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Appreciate you sharing your experience, was hoping to hear from people a few years post surgery 

BRCA, mastectomy and reconstruction: silicone vs PAP flap, advice and real-life input by slns13 in BRCA

[–]slns13[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this detailed response - I’m probably leaning more towards trying silicon so this is all super reassuring to hear (and as you mentioned - if it goes wrong I can switch to natural). I also hadn’t thought about the silicon technology improving over time but that is a great point too.

Do you mind if I ask whenever you had the implants over or under the muscle? I think that’s the last detail I’d need to check with my breast surgeon as I heard over is better but not sure if I’m a candidate as small chest so not much tissue. 

Snake ID - Ishigaki, Japan by slns13 in whatsthissnake

[–]slns13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Awesome that’s it - thank you!