Should I Attempt Breast Implant Reconstruction Surgery a Third Time?

I am 43 yo. In 5/2010 I underwent bilateral mastectomies due to breast cancer. My breast reconstruction w/ implants failed due to staph infection and the expanders were removed. We tried again in Jan 2011 using a latismus flap. My left breast became infected with staph once again, and the expander was removed. I presently have an expander in on the right and nothing on the left. Would you recommend I try implant surgery again, and if so, how long do you think I should wait?

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1 Doctor Answer | Asked by CynthiaP

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No implants

I would advise against it. If you have had issue twice with implants then a third time will likely not be a charm. Consider using only your own tissues for reconstruction such as a DIEP flap. That is the skin and fat of your abdomen which would normally be discarded in a tummy tuck but in this situation used to reconstruct a new breast. It requires special expertise and experience and not every plastic surgeon does this procedure. Go online and see who does this in your area. Its important... more