I was told last Wednesday by a Nurse Practitioner that I have to have a mastectomy of my left breast. When I asked her about reconstructive surgery she went to speak to the consultant and came back telling me that that could not do it, which I understand as I have had 2 spinal surgeries and also have mild diabetes.
When I suggested implants she abruptly stated that I would not want a harder and a softer breast. As I was still somewhat in shock I did not reply appropriately.
Having scoured this website I now find a saline implant would be the best solution as I have small breats anyway.
Also I have mobility issues and often have to use a wheelchair and go to a hydropool and swimming a lot to help my mobility, but based on her reply I have a feeling they will not agree to tht either.
I would love to hear from anyone who has had an implant and what their experience is.
I too would be very interested to hear from anyone having had implants,
I had mx to right breast last November, and have asked for left mx too, because I had primary 11 years ago so want preventative surgery,
I fear reconstruction, but wonder whether implants would be so bad,
on a good day I feel ok about my appearance on a bad day I dont, if that makes sense lol,
I am 45 and I suppose the thought of no boobs is a bit daunting…
Thank you for your reply. I would think that if you have the left mx too then implants on both would be easy as they would both be the same. I watched the animations on the website and it shows pretty well the procedure.
Someone else here who’d like to hear about this. Like Liz I had a right mx in November and may well need to have a further mx. I did make it clear to my surgeon that I wanted reconstruction and was told this was something to be discussed after active treatment was finished. I am waiting for my follow up appointment so that I can raise the subject with him.
Hi nymeria, I am currently undergoing rads, and my oncs registrar said to me "unlikely you will be having further mx you will be offered 12 monthly mammograms,
I am not having any of it, 2 primaries in ll years and only 45 now, I want preventative surgery and I intend to fight for it if I have to, sorry rant over lol,
I am not coping at all well at times with my body image, but I am so afraid something will ‘go wrong’ with reconstruction, its such a dilemma, having felt ill for so long, should I just be grateful and get on with my life, maybe as time goes on I will manage better,
so many questions, so few answers, and implants, you hear of so many horror stories about leaking silicone, but I think that may have been years and years ago, when they were first invented lol,
I definately need some well educated and experienced advice on this one,
Hi elizabeth that is why I want to ask them about the saline implant as it is something that is also used to expand the skin for grafting. Fom what I read they can be left in and if there is a problem with leakage it’s ok as the body absorbes the saline solution.
As the tissue is expanded over a period of time throught a port in the armpit it is expanded to a larger size initially and then reduced to match the other breast it also created a kind of droop.
Watch the animation on the website and also read the booklet if you have it.
I am sure there must be someone who had it done and I would really love to hear from them.
Thank you Shelley for bumping this up. It seems to me that patients are told very little volunatrily by the professionals and have to really be on the ball and to question them.
I would suggest that many women are not aware of that possibility and unless you research it and press for it they will not do it.
I don’t care if as a result the left breast is a bit harder then the right what counts for me is that it is there lol. Also bras ride up and you have to keep adjusting them and for someone like me who walks with crutches and has to use a wheelchair frequently it is important to know that I don’t have a pros popping out while I am moving.
Hi had mastectomy 21/6 with implant reconstruction straight away.I am bruised and in a bit of pain but looks ok to me. I’m new to the site and can’t see what I posted yesterday when I signed up - I’m missing the support of my fellow patients!
Welcome to the forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the users of this site have a wealth of knowledge between them.
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I’ve also done a search on the forum and this is the only post I have found from you, I’m sorry your post from yesterday has not come through.
Hi Angela,
sorry you’re going through this. There are some significant problems with implants which I think you should be aware of, especially in view of your disability. I researched implant recon in detail before my mx, and decided against it in the end. I only seriously considered the expander/implant because I didn’t want to compromise my fitness with such major surgery as LD flap or similar. I assumed the implant was fairly simple but it’s not.
Firstly, the expander then implant have to go under your pectoral muscle, which is then stretched using the expander over time. This can cause muscular cramps and a lot of discomfort. There is also the risk of infection as with any surgery. Once the expanding is done, the implant can also be uncomfortable and cause problems with the muscle. The implant and the expander can also migrate to the armpit! I also understand that the implant recon looks rather like an orange stuck to your chest. There are some discussions under the mastecomy heading about recon problems, that would be worth a look for you.
Also, please look at this website, it’s really useful for focusing your thoughts and helping you to think it through. breastfree.org
I ended up having bilateral mx in March, I’m doing fine. My bra doesn’t ride up at all, although I don’t wear it very much, I mostly go breast-free. I do a lot of swimming (sometimes long distances in front crawl) and I’ve found a swimsuit and a tankini with pockets that are both great. I have silicone swimming breast forms which I wear, and they just stay where they are and look very good. So there is an option for you.
I hope you manage to find a good solution, it’s not an easy decision at all and you need to be sure that you’re doing the right thing for you.
xx
Hi Angela,
There are possible problems with any surgery as you know but I’ve had a mastectomy with immediate recon with implant only. I had an expander first which was filled with saline over a period of time and then a year later I had a silicone implant put in. The expander was a bit uncomfortable at times and did slip down although I’ve never had problems with the implants migrating under my arm. I think the idea of overfilling the implant in order to give a ‘droop’ is a bit of a myth though as my surgeon said it never does create droop. The implant is more rounded than my natural boob and sits a little higher but in a bra it does not notice and I only notice it unclothed because I’m scrutinising it looking for flaws. (I’m afraid I shall always be annoyed about getting BC and losing a breast) However, I’m glad I had the implant, yes it is as I said more rounded but it is soft and very natural to look at and feel. Clothed I am evenly matched, it causes me no discomfort at all, I can do everything that I used to do and to be honest, 99% of the time now (4 months on) I forget all about it. Maybe I’ve been lucky and I do know that some people have real problems but I am glad that I had it done.
I wish you good luck in whatever you choose to do - it is a big decision after all.
Regards
Val x
Ooops. Being new to this site I just looked at this part of the forum and had to discover yesterday under the Living with BC section that there are quite a few threads on implants.
Having read a lot of them I have come to the conclusion that if you don’t try it you will never know. The reactions seem to be very mixed. Some good and some not so good.
I have decided to go for it and if it works it will be great and if it doesn’t at least I will know that I have tried.
Thanks very much for posting that. I’ve been given the date for my MX today -it’ll be the 19th July. And I’ve opted for a partial immediate reconstruction with an implant. I’m having radiotherapy in all likelihood at some point, so that’s what’s on offer for the moment. I’m really pleased to read something positive about implants! The thought of not having a nipple does freak me out a bit though I must admit.
hello there not sure whih forum to go on, my sister had her reconstruction re-done as it became capulated,she was in a load of pain b4 hand so they decided to take impland out, clean scar tissue and fit new implant, she was devestated to have woken up with nothing there at all, they said it was very red and a load of pus, but no actual infection, it will be nearly 4 months b4 they do new reconstruction, she cant look at herself, we are still getting no answers to why this happened although she has continualy told hospital she has been in pain since mx and immediate reconstruction 14 months ago can anyone help us find answers please .
i have just had my implant put back in yesterday. 3 times i have “lost” it due to infection or it moving into the wrong place (under my armpit and under my collar bone). The doctors couldnt explain why i got the infection so im guessing its just one of those things. Its been a year since i lost my implant which is a traumatic experience so im keeping everything crossed that it will stay in this time. I appreciate that it would have been alot easier to have just gone breast free but for me that wasnt an option, I feel like a woman if i have breasts. I hope you make the best decision for YOU.
thank you for your posting. but you can imagine the shock, she was booked for a new implant because of this capsualation, at no time wwre we told there might be a chance when we open you up there will be redness that we cant continue. just when you wake up you will be pleased with what we have done now she has no breast at all, which has come as huge shock .