I have over the last month being reading through the posts gleaning information and any advice that may help my recovery. Thank you for posting.
I was diagnosed with DCIS in 3 places and underwent a masectomy and reconstruction with implant 4 weeks ago. All happened very quick and was only identified through Breast Screening.
After discussion with BCN and Consultant I was told because it was widespread it would have to be a Masectomy. Thankfully it was done within the week and at the same time reconstruction was done using an implant. All went well and other than the drain getting blocked. Flushing did not clear it so it was removed which resulted in fluid build up which was after a few weeks drained.
The results from the Masectomy was I needed no further treatment and will have yearly checkups. Which is great news.
i am on the road to recovery but finding the implant breast hard to get used to. Does it ever feel like your own so that you never feel it is there as with normal breast. I still have a bit of fluid but Consultant today advised to leave until reabsorbed by body. I am also finding it hard to get a bra that is comfortable. I have tried all sorts and although Sport Bras seem best option I wondered if anyone had found another good option. Doing the exercises but still tight at front shoulder and cleavage area where implant is attached to muscle.
i just wondered how long before you feel normal again. I still get tired but pace myself so coping and it is still early days.
Thank you for reading this ramble. Any advice gratefully received.
I have had resconstruction and a breast implant that has been inflated twice to the max level of saline. However, tomorrow I am seeing my surgeon to have some of the fluid removed as I am finding mine really bulky and unforumnable espeically at night time.
I don’t think we will ever get used to it - just looking in the mirror everyday reminds me of that :womansad:
Everything moved so quick for me and on reflection I really did not think through my options and sometimes I wonder if it would have been better not to have had reconstruction.
I stil have two rounds of chemo to go and then 15 rounds of radiation in February which I am sure will cause some damage to the implant. After radiation I will have to go back for surgery in order that I can have some fat put into some areas of my breast and upper chest wall as I some hollow areas which need filling out, so it will interesting to see what the final result will be:womansad:
Hi Helen I to had to have a mastectomy and had immediate reconstruction using an implant. Like you I thankfully needed no further treatment.
I had my op in June, and it is now settling although it doesn’t feel as natural as a normal breast. It also feels cold to touch, mainly because there is no breast tissue. I am getting used to that now though. curvissa.co.uk/products/petite-fleur-pack-of-2-support-bras/_/A-455015_34C?searchResults=true As for bras, I’ve bought a few of these and find them very comfortable. My bcn advised non wired bras and total support.
I hope that helps, please ask if I can help with anything xxxx
Hi, just thought I’d add my experience. I too had implant recon at the very end of June - felt very odd at first but I gradually started to notice brief periods (10 mins or so) when I forgot about it cos it felt part of me, then it would feel tight and heavy again. Those periods got longer over time until now (nearly 5 months on) it feels normal most of the time and just occasionally odd, and I still notice a slight pull on the muscle if I do something ‘heavy’ with that arm. When I had first appointment to remove drains etc the nurse said it would take 6-12 months before it felt normal so it is a very gradual process. I’m only small breasted so I imagine it may take longer to get used to things with a larger implant.
Hope things soon start to settle and good luck with future monitoring, lets hope that’s it now! xx
I know you posted a couple of months ago but your post could have been written by me. My first mammogram found DCIS and due to amount had masectomy with immediate implant . My drain also blocked and I also need no further treatment apart from meds.
I know I have been very lucky but also really struggle with the implant and how it feels. My surgery was in August and I had to have a second surgery to remove a haemotoma following the blocked drain. I also had some fluid drained.
I still feel sore to the side and on the top where the muscle is. It hurts to lay on my front and I wonder if I’m ever going to feel ‘normal’ again.
I am also tired and get stomach cramps from my medication.
i wear Gemm soft bras from Amazon which were recommended. I was told by my surgeon that I can wear under wired bras and do occasionally but find the Gemm bra more comfortable for now.
I’m sorry I’ve not helped you but it is nice to find someone who feels like me and thank you to the other responses which also make me feel a bit better.
It is a couple of months since since I did it and things have changed. I feel better about implant it is still a work in progress but it is looking better. Underarm still swollen and I have started to massage implant which I feel is softening it a bit. Using Bio Oil on scar and it is helping. I am hoping when underarm swelling goes down it will make the breast feel fuller to the front not underarm lol. Compared to other it is smaller.
Still have have issues with bras. Got the Curvissa bra and it is good and also a post surgery one from Triumph which I was measured for. The cups are formed so when in I look even. The middle of bra tends to pull towards normal breast if you know what I mean. I have bought so many my husband says I could have a bra shop lol. I miss my underwire bras but have been told 6 months before I can.
i am able to forget about it when busy and started swimming to try to stretch muscle as well as stretching exercise. Hoping it will help spasms.
Feeling much more positive than I was although every morning I wake up it is the first thing I think of.
When I think back to 3 months ago there is a big difference so hopefully the next 3 months will continue the improvement in both implant and emotions.
I have had similar dificult journeys and thankfull to this forum was able to ask for and get a DIEP reconstruction. A few minths ago id heard of non of this. After a bleeding nipple, told not cancer but have microdochectomy, which then revealed early DCIS. told no problem have a central resection to remove the DCIS which did not show on the mamagrams ot CT scans. More DCIS so answer a cavity shave for clear margins. No clear margins MORE DCIS and mutilated boob later i find out in the corridor by accident that i needed a mastectomy. By then i a was angry and pissed off but thankfully i had been on this forum looking at options of implants against using my own skin. When i went in the consultant says i will have to have a mastectomy and could have an implant. I said ive come this far so i want a DIEP reconstruction. He was taken back and said we only do implants here. I insisted i wanted a DIEP and I’m here at st Thomas hospital who do these daily. The operation was from 8.30am and finished at 2.30pm. The care was brilliant. Ive been monitored every 30 minutes to ensure no infection, seroma and that the new breast is working ie blood supply and no necrosis. I love my new boob and new flat tummy. Im going home today on day 4 of the operation. I wish i had not messed about with all these operations and gone for this DIEP in the first place. No chemo or radio treatment after. And I’m feeling blessed. Thanks to Steph and Schummi who had theirs first i knew what to ask for. St Thomas is a wonderful hospital if your near London toox if i had anything in other breast i would not pussyfoot around i wound have masectomy using my own tissue. Cant use my tummy again but i have thighs and a bottom to usex hugs to all
Hello ladies.
Hope you don’t mind me joining your conversation.
I had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implant on 11th August so six months ago. This was after a failed lumpectomy and six months of chemo. I’ve had extra fluid put in three times and my surgeon is now happy with the overall look.
However, like you ladies I am struggling with the the constant pulling and heaviness and general uncomfortable feeling I have all the time. I’ve tried wearing different bras but nothing really helps. I was told it would tare a few months to settle down and I guess I’m expecting too much too soon.
Hi Helen, I have my six month check this Friday. I still feel sore and get pains sometimes. I’m still in soft crop bras with the occasional pretty one on a night out but don’t think of it quite as much as I did. I don’t think they prepare you for how it will really feel afterwards but then we’re all different. I hope things keep improving for you. Must have been hard having had lumpectomy and chemo to then have to go through mastectomy anyway. Take care