Hi there, I was wondering if anyone can help me out on this one.
I had my expander implants removed and permanent ones put in 4 weeks ago. These ones were put under the muscle but now they have settled I have noticed that I have a hard lump/area (about 1.5cm) at what feels like the perimeter where the implant would be under the muscle.
Has anyone else experienced something like this?? I had a grade 3 0.5cm herceptin positive diagnosis in march 08 and had bilateral mastectomies to prevent recurrence with immediate tissue expander implant reconstruction. I have had 6 1/2months epi/cmf chemo and herceptin. Still on herceptin til’ July 09 and chemo only finished in December 08.
Can you get scar tissue or fat necrosis on the muscle???
Really worried, though when i try to think logically, i no longer have any breast tissue, i’e only recently finished chemo and i’m still on herceptin - surgery only 4 wks ago… should i be worried or am i getting worked up to quickly???
Em x x x x
Hi millsy34
While you are waiting for your fellow forum users to reply, I just wanted to let you know that you are welcome to phone the helpline and have a chat with one of the staff here about your concerns, I’m sure they’ll be able to support you. Calls to the helpline are free,
0808 800 6000 open Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm.
Hope this helps. Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi millsy34,
I was interested to see your post as I’ve just got the date (Apr 20) for my op to swap expanders for permanent implants.
Have you found any more about the hard area you can feel? With the expanders I can feel the edge of the implants in several places - but not sure if this happens with the permanent ones.
After bilateral mastectomies, apparently there is a small chance of recurrence as some breast tissue could have been left behind - I think I was told it could be up to 5% - as the surgeons cannot distinguish exactly where the breast tissue ends and fat tissue under the skin begins. But as you say thinking logically and rationally (quite hard to do when you’re going through all this I know) it seems unlikely a tumour would appear that size at this stage of your treatment (just after the chemo should have blasted any stray cancer cells)
But I would say, if it’s playing on your mind, get someone to look at it (bcn or even GP).
Can I ask how long you were in hospital for the implant swap op?
Best Wishes
Misha