L May Have to Have Bi-lat Skin/nipple Sparing Mastectomy. I Have Chest Wall Implants Now. Results?

I am waiting on BRCA test results. Due to DCIS in 2007. I have saline implants in the chest wall on both sides. I am a D cup. If the BRCA is positive, I face a double skin/nipple sparing mastectomy with new implants. What will I look like when this is over? Will my breasts be lot smaller? How long is recovery? I cannot find info on the internet about this procedure on someone who already has large, chest-wall implants. Information?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by KB in Tennessee

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Reconstruction after NSM with pre-existing implants

Assuming your breasts look great now, these reconstructions usually turn out fantastic with the right team of surgeons. My advice is to find a great - and I mean great - surgical oncologist who performs NSM (nipple sparing mastectomies) routinely. And I mean routinely. The mastectomy flap necrosis rate - that means the skin dies and/or your nipples can be lost - is as high as 15%. However, with a great oncological surgeon, this rate will be pretty much 0%. Next, choose a busy... more

Lisa B. Cassileth, MD

3 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Mastectomy with existing implants

In some respects you have the best situation for this scenario since you already have implants. If you think about your current situation, your breast are probably predominantly comprised of the implants. Doing a skin and nipple sparing mastectomy will result in a similar situation except that your breasts will entirely made up from the implants. Think of what your ultimate desired goal is and see if your surgeon can produce that in cooperation with the general surgeon. Sometimes a... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You have few options

The options post nipple sparing mastectomy are implant reconstruction or flap reconstruction. You can get great results with either . In general flap breast reconstruction is more involved,but give more natural and lasting results. Please get in person consultation with board certified plastic surgeons.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Many questions about the results of breast reconstruction

Thank you for your question. You have many questions about the results of reconstruction which is completely normal. This forum is no substitute for a face-to-face consultation. I recommend you see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons for a full and complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate for breast reconstruction and that it is safe for you to have the surgery that you want. I hope this helps.