Hi, I had a skin-sparing mastectomy in Jan 08, with immediate implant, and then had 25 rads. It all looked good until this time last year when I started to feel a bit of pain occassionaly. Then I started to look a bit lop-sided. PS confirmed the implant was capsulating, and it continued to tighten. I now have one small rock hard boob and have to be careful how I sleep at night as that is when I can get the pain.
We tried lipofil this Jan gone, but it didn’t work, and in fact I still have two sore areas just above each hip bone where they took the fat from. It was so painful I will not go back to try that again.
My only other choice I have been given is a tram flap, but I really don’t feel like I want more surgery, especially something so major.
Right now, as long as the implant isn’t causing any heath risk, I would rather carry on and have been using a small prosthesis in my bra to balance the look.
Has anyone else had any experience with capsulation? And any other options that have been offered?
Thanks.
Hi there
I don’t have any experience of capsular contracture yet, but for some reason my risk rate is about 40% (not sure if that is normal or not?)
i think this is one of the risks with implants as i remember my PS telling me, and after a while the implant may need to be removed and replaced…
The tram flap does seem to be the gold standard of recon and something which i am considering as hating the implant…but as you say, it is major surgery…
Hi Crazydancer and Naz,
I have put for you below the link to BCC’s publication on breast reconstruction and hope you find it helpful. If you would like to discuss this in person please feel free to call the helpline here where the staff will be happy to talk to you.
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/breast-reconstruction-bcc7
Hope this helps,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi - I had an immediate implant after mastectomy last June and it has changed since finishing radiotherapy. It seems puckered and harder but I’m not sure what capsulation is? I did see consultant in March who said there was nothing wrong with it but I have a follow up appointment in July. I feel as though I’ve permanently got a bra on - best way to describe it! Don’t think I would have a tramflap as it is major surgery again.
Stella x
Hi CrazyDancer
Your experience sounds very similar to mine. I had skin sparing mx following chemo. I was offered a recon using my own tissue at the time,and told this would probably give the best result but I was on my knees by then and I opted for immediate implant recon (becker-saline injections), then had 25 rads. This was in 2008/9, and like you I now have quite significant capsulation. The breast is very hard, tight, and small, and I have moved to wearing a larger prosthesis.
I have had to have an exchange of implant (smaller), following an infection caused by some further surgery, after which I was told there had been thin, damaged skin, and a lot of capsulated tissue, which was also likely with the replacement.
My surgical team have been great all along, and I have been offered further surgery, but like you I really don’t want more unless I absolutely have to. Physio has helped when mine was particularly bad-I had a referral from the BCN, don’t know if that would be an option for you? Swimming has also helped my arm and breast. I have also been told that so long as the skin ‘envelope’ is kept open, surgery in future remains an option.
All the best
C