How to Improve Blood Flow After Mastectomy and Reconstruction?

I had the same issue. I eventually had to have the skin cut off & stitched up again. I decided to keep the original size A implants & not continue with the rest of the reconstruction. I've had several people who've had same issue. Noone can explain why we have the necrotic skin??!!!

That I have heard is related to larger chested women and the tiny blood vessels not knowing how to reconnect. Happy to say though my right side seems to have gotten most flow back. The left is dead underneath and likely infected :(

I was only a c cup. Size wasn't an issue. Yea it spreads quickly. Hopefully you're on an antibiotic

Was your skin radiated prior to reconstruction?

No. I actually wasn’t even referred to oncology until yesterday and still haven’t heard anything. I self referred to a much better health system close to me and met with radiation oncology (which I will need later) and medical oncology for chemo. After I posted this I did lose a lot of skin and implant on the left side.

Karen, I had a double mastectomy & on to hormone & bone therapy & skipped chemo and radiation

I had my bilateral mastectomy on 4/19 and I’m currently at home resting and taking my meds. The pain is minimal until I try to get up that’s when the biting sensation takes over near the expander. However, it’s going down well. Pray that my skin stays in tack and no more surgery is needed until the reconstruction.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy maybe! I’m going to be trying it!

How are you doing now 4/23/2024

I really think you should have been assigned a dermatologist. That's specialized in issues of this matter I would think it would be a common-sense recommendation from the oncologist's plastic surgeon. Etc. Especially the Radiologists Radiologist assigned to your case. Maybe You could dot to prescribe the medications used for burned victims. I think Is called something like silver dean .

Hyperbaric is great for helping wounds

My healing looks, well, awful to me. But I met with a new plastic surgeon and switching all my post op care to him. He suggested things to help heal it and day 2 of his version and already looks better. I also had a delayed allergic reaction to bacitracin so that’s been fun. I have cording on my left arm too from so many lymph nodes being removed. And I did do silver sufonimide. I’m allergic to sulpha which is an ingredient and I developed a massive infection right before my second surgery. Regardless the new plastic surgeon is amazing. Radiation won’t be until September or October the earliest so I have time to get my arm cording fixed. And chemo won’t start until my skin is healed more

Glad you moved to new docs Andrea M. Sorry this has been so rough on you. I'll keep you in my prayers girl!!!

I would also suggest you ask your plastic surgeon and oncologist about hyperbaric chamber. It is very helpful for wound healing and perhaps covered by insurance because you have necrosis. Sorry you have been through a lot. Sending healing vibes!

Red Light Therapy Helped me

Also had necrosis several mths after final reconstruction surgery and radiation. I made the mistake of having micropigmentation/nipple tattoing done six months later (which plastic surgeon gave green light on) which was a disaster. Radiated breast never healed from that procedure and a staph infection with necrosis soon followed. Oncologist discouraged hyperbaric for healing because it could promote cancer cell growth, so me sure to ask about that. Ended up with another surgery to have infected tissue and implant removed so now left with only one implant.

Yikes! But sounds like what happened to my mom.

Red light therapy lamp is what I used

This sounds like such a challenging and stressful situation to navigate during your recovery. While acupressure techniques might provide some comfort, it's really important to stay in close contact with your surgical team about the necrosis since they'll need to monitor this closely and can provide the most appropriate guidance for your specific situation. Many others in this community have faced similar post-surgical complications, so hopefully some members can share their experiences and what support helped them through this difficult time.