Hi
I’ve posted here before about how uncomfortable I’m finding my temporary implant which was put in at the same time as my mastectomy last September and is a fixed volume one, not an expander. The muscle doesn’t seem to have stretched to accommodate it at all but has squashed it upwards and sideways instead, which feels really horrid. I’m aware of it all the time, night and day, and it honestly feels like I’ve got an orange stuffed in my chest!
I was referred to the plastic surgeon recently with a view to having it replaced with a permanent implant. However, she said if this went behind the muscle again then it would feel just as uncomfortable, so she has suggested putting it in front of the muscle. Apparently this isn’t usually done and can cause all sorts of problems, so I’m not very happy about the idea. Also she can’t do the operation till the end of July so another 6 months of “stuffed-orange” feeling.
I am now thinking about asking to have the implant removed and just being completely flat with an external prosthesis. I am only a 34 A/B so don’t think the prosthesis would be too heavy. I’d really love to hear from anyone who has chosen not to have a reconstruction done and what it’s like to be totally flat. Also interested to know if anyone else has hated their implant as much as I hate mine and opted to have it removed. If so, any regrets afterwards?
I had my mx in October 2008, I could have had an immediate reconstruction but I decided to have the mx and make my mind up later about recon. Now I don’t think I will ever have a recon, mainly because I can’t face more surgery.
To answer your question about being flat and wearing a breast form. I am quite large (40E) but I have managed quite well with my breast form. My first one felt a bit heavy so the fitter ordered me a lightweight one which is excellent. I went to a specialist fitter for my bra and I would recommend that if possible. It is worth it because now they know my requirements I can ring them up and order items rather than having to visit them when I want something.
I would rather have my own breast back but as I can’t I feel like I am making the best of a bad situation. I have to be careful of necklines (I do miss my cleavage but I didn’t wear very low tops before my op anyway) and I have to secure some tops with body tape in case they gape when I bend forward. Apart from that I just get on with my life and hardly think about it.
There is another thread called “Anyone abandoned their implants and gone breast fee” in Mastectomies and Living Breast Free. That might be of interest to you.
Hi Janet
Mine’s not exactly the same situation, but might be useful. I had an mx, expander then permanent implant, under the muscle. It was ok, but never very comfortable, and always felt stretched, helped by physio. Last year I had the implant replaced due to infection, and the much smaller replacement has been extremly uncomfortable since-very much that feeling you describe, and I need to wear a prosthesis as well. I want to keep my recon, but I would say that each time I have had surgery I have had complications, and afterwards the tightness has increased, so I’d want to know how likely that was if I were considering the op suggested to you. In the meantime I have been referred back to physio which does help significantly-maybe worth a try while you are considering options?
All the best
C
Hi everyone
Thanks so much for your very helpful comments and also the link to the other thread which, in turn, had a link to a site which has loads of information about living breast-free, including photographs. I’ve more or less decided to ask for the implant to be removed so I can put this cancer experience behind me and get on with my life. Will call my BCN next week and see what the reaction is. Slightly concerned they may make me wait ages for an operating date, but am hoping it’s a fairly quick and straightforward procedure with a relatively short recovery time.
Thanks again
Janet