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| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
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Delayed Reconstruction Questions about Delayed Breast Reconstruction. |
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| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
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| 7/26/2011 | I had DCIS with right breast lumpectomy and radiation 13 yrs ago. In May, 2010 I had a right mastectomy with tissue expander placement due to stage 1 BC. I went through the expansion process over several months. just prior to my implant swap-out surgery my skin dehissed (November 2010). The tissue expander was removed and replaced with another one (though not filled at all). Eight days later the skin dehissed again and the expander was removed. Am I a possible candidate for a DIEP even though I have had the problem with the dehiscence? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 7/28/2011 | Thank you for turning to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center with your question. Yes you could still be a candidate for the DIEP flap. The wound dehiscence does not preclude this, you would have to have wound healing prior to having the DIEP surgery . The things which make a patient a bad candidate for the DIEP flap is multiple abdominal surgeries, smoker, diabetes, heart disease, and not enough belly skin and fat. In fact, it sounds as though your body is rejecting the implant and using your own tissue for reconstruction would be best. If you do not have enough skin and fat on the belly, it is possible to take the skin and fat from your buttocks instead. Hope this helps, and best wishes. | ||
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