I’ve a question. Is it possible to have a reconstruction with an implant only? That is, with no LD, TRAM etc?
I don’t see why this would not be possible but it doesn’t seem to be offered as a matter of course and I wondered why not when women without BC are having implants so regularly now.
I really do not want scars on my stomach or a bigger operation than necessary. I had a mx but there is still a fair amount of breast still there so I don’t understand why they can’t just put an implant in; if anyone could shed any light on this I’d really appreciate it.
Yes it is possible to have an implant only recon. I assume the reason it is not offered routinely is that the cosmetic result is not as good as the other options.
I am confused by your comment about still having a fair amount of breast after a mx - my understanding is that all breast tissue is always removed with a mx. That is certainly the case with me and everyone I know who has had a mx.
Your best option would be to get an appointment with a plastic surgeon, who could then explain to you all your possible options.
It’s not completely flat and I have a mini cleavage (very mini but cleavage nonetheless!) When I spoke to the consultant last time, he was suggesting the stomach option but this was before the mx, maybe he tried to save as much as possible of what was there (I had my mx post chemo and apparently my very large tumour had shrunk) I don’t see him again until September and would like to go in armed with info
xx
There is a good book you could try - it’s called Breast Reconstruction: Your Choice, by Dick Rainsbury & Ginny Straker. It goes through all the options in detail
I had an implant at the time of mx… they put in an uninflated(?) implant in my chest at the time of the mx and since this time i have had fluid put into the implant (via a port under my arm) over a period of a few months.
They bcn told me that the skin would just stretch to hold the larger amount and it has!! no skin has had to be taken from anywhere else hence no other scars. Bel this is a relatively new procedure - or was at the time of my mx, 12 mths now!
A lady I spoke to at the Haven had lipo on thigh fat cells that was cultured so that it wouldn’t be re-absorbed too easily and then injected into her boob to make up the dent.
Hi there,
I did a lot of research into recon before deciding against it (I had bilateral mx in March,and am doing fine with it so far!) You can have an implant, however it has to go under the pectoral muscle which can cause problems with contraction and migration of the implant into the armpit (!), and apparently looks a bit like a tennis ball on your chest if you bend backwards! The implant has to be placed after you’ve had the tissue expanded. It’s not problem-free. Also, if you’ve had rads there can be problems with the skin thinning and not stretching so you can’t get much of a size.
This website is very interesting and informative - there are some stories on there and lots of photos. It basically gives you some things to consider before you go down the recon route, which isn’t always the best one for everybody. breastfree.org/
Lots of luck with your decision and whatever you decide to do
xx
I am currently having the procedure you are talking about.
I was initially offered the other type of reconstruction using the stomach area, but after reading what it entailed I decided not to have that.
I have had tissue expanders put in (April 2010) following a bilateral mastectomy (March 2010), which were very slowly and gradually expanded every other week for a few months, using saline. This has then been left to settle for several months.
I am due to go back in the week after next to have them removed and replaced with permanent silicone implants, which hopefully will be a lot softer than what I have at the moment. They are by no means natural looking and I don’t like how I look with clothes off, but I am able to look ‘normal’ with clothes on!
Hi. Not had time to read all the posts, but hope this helps…
I had immediate recon with an implant. I am delighted. Without a bra Im a bit lop sided, but with a bra, Im pleased. Not too tennis ball like!! It is quite fixed nd does not move freely, but even with a bikini on you can’t really tell, unless you prodded them both!! It’s a good shape and size nd no probs. It was done the same time as the mx nd not comfy but happy with my decision 2 1/2 yrs later. No expanders, bits taken from elsewhere, just a simple implant. Pls feel free to ask if you have more questions.
Hi SuzyB
I had an implant only recon after mx. I had an expander at same time as mx, then replacement with gel implant about 6 months later.
As Bubble trouble says, there can be problems and the cosmetic result is not a natural result, although some people do not have problems with it at all. I was advised to have a different type of recon-using LD or TRAM flap. I opted against that because I wanted a smaller op, but I have had to have several procedures and operations anyway because of the condition of the skin after rads.
I’m not trying to put you off-I made my decision because it was right at the time, just telling you the things I wanted to know before I had mine-I just think it’s probably best to know why the P surgeons sometimes advise another type of recon. In my case I knew what the problems might be, and I knew the PS would have preferred another recon type, but he was supportive and understanding of my decision to go the implant-only route. He also pointed out that it is possible sometimes to have an own-tissue procedure done after implant only recon, even years later.
2.5 years on, I have a smaller, roundish recon on my mx side, and I also wear a prosthethis. It does feel 'stretched’and I know it is there- I do sometimes have physio to stretch the muscle-but it is manageable, and I am used to it. I am happy with the way it looks in clothes-it allows me to wear what I want, even in swimwear. I hope that is useful.
All the best with you decision, I know it is a tough one to make
C
Thanks ladies, that’s all realy helpful - it is possible!
I didn’t have an expander put in, maybe this would be possible later? I had my mx in April and now have three weeks of radiotherapy which is not going to help the skin but the surgeon has left a fair bit of ‘spare’ skin.
I can see the appeal of having nothing further done as at present I have good flexibilty and movement all over, which is great, but I don’t want to keep having to wear something and I miss my old shape (I know that’s gone forever but an approximation would be good)
I really really don’t want further scarring/mega surgery and it’s good to read that some of you have achieved this.
Hi Suzy, the surgeons leave skin so that the recon can be done later on - I think it’s usually possible at any time in the future. So you’re never closing off the option. You sound really positive anyway, and I hope it all goes well for you. Hugs xx
Hi, I’m due to start the procedure for implant only reconstruction in 2 weeks time and my surgeon is fine about it, but having read all the posts am starting to feel really nervous and wondering whether to go through with it!
I had mastectomy 11 years ago (aged 36) and it’s taken me until now to decide to go ahead with it! I’d really like to have two ‘breasts’ again but am starting to wonder whether I should just be grateful for what I’ve got - in the last couple of days I’ve read quite a lot about the pain involved, restricted arm movement after procedure, operations going wrong, etc.
I’m lucky to be in good health and don’t have any restrictions in what I can do - just a boob missing! I really like to know whether anybody in similar circumstances has gone through with it and whether they still think it was the right decision.
Good luck to everybody dealing with really diffult decisions at the moment x
I had an expander put in after my mx in May. I think this is the first step on my way to an implant as that was the option I chose as I thought it was the least invasive surgery for a recon. My consultant was a lady and she gave me the choice of all three options.
Hi Juliet,
I’m interested as to why you decided to have the recon at this stage? It’s a big decision I know, and it has to be your own choice in the end. Yours might well be fairly straightforward, but that’s not always the case. The thing that made me really question my thoughts about recon was my BCN saying that if you do decide to do it, you have to be prepared for it to fail which I think was excellent advice. There are quite a few people around who are (understandably) absolutely desperate to have recon asap regardless of their treatment, risk factors etc. and I’m afraid that there is an assumption that it will just all be ok and you’ll end up with a new breast so don’t have to deal with the loss of your real one/s at all. It’s so emotional that I feel people should be counselled properly about it and given all of the info re risks and the outcomes which obviously doesn’t always happen. It’s also such a difficult thing to decide on when you’ve been diagnosed with bc and are upset and emotional anyway.
You’re making the decision after a long period of time, so if you’re informed about your personal risks and the outcome and your surgeon is happy to do it, then go for it.
Lots of luck with whatever you decide.
xx
Hi, I had recon with implant only and it is fine. I couldn’t have surgery using tissue from my back or stomach because I’m quite small and there wasn’t enough. I think you get a more natural look that way but I really just wanted the smallest op possible under the circumstances and I was able to have immediate recon as fortunately I didn’t need rads. It looks absolutely fine in a bra and very natural, it is perfectly soft and normal looking. However undressed it sits higher than my ‘normal’ breast and is rounder. Obviously I wish I’d never needed it at all and I’d much prefer my ‘old’ breast but it works and 99% of the time now I forget all about it. I have full arm movement and I’m able to do everything I used to do. It twinges now and again but I don’t have any pain. (The surgery was done in March) I’m afraid that I had to have a recon because I’d never have coped with only having one breast but that is a personal choice.
Hope that helps.
Val x
When I was diagnosed all those years ago I lived away from home, had three small children and a husband that worked away a lot. Immediate reconstruction was not advised and I guess I just became busy getting on with life after treatment and hoping that I’d live to see my children grow up - reconstruction was something that I thought I’d get around to ‘one day’. I’ve obviously got used to the way that I look after 11 years but find it so restricting when buying new clothes, swimsuits, etc and as my children are all now teenagers thought it would be a good time to get it sorted and try to put the experience behind me (if that’s possible!) instead of being confronted with the lack of a breast on a daily basis.
I’ve never met anybody that’s had a reconstruction and have only talked to the surgeon about it and it all sounded quite straightforward but I thought it would be good to look on the BCC forum to learn from the experiences of people who’d had a reconstruction before starting with the procedure. I feel a bit overwhelmed by the pain/discomfort and disappointing results that many people have reported and wonder whether I should leave well alone and just be content with what I’ve got.
I know that I’m the only one that can make the final decision but it really helps to hear from others that have gone through a similar experience and thanks for your comment about having to be prepared for it to fail - it has really made me think whether it’s truly worth it. At the moment I’m leaning towards leaving well alone!
xx
Hi Juliet, understand exactly where you’re coming from. One thing I didn’t think of is the ‘buddy’ system - BCC can put you in touch with a volunteer locally who’s had the recon you’re looking to have done.
xx
The service bubbletrouble mentioned is the one to one peer support service. The team can put you in touch with a trained volunteer (who has had breast cancer) who will get in touch by telephone at a time to suit you. I have attached the link: