Has anyone reduced their implants
Do you mean replaced with smaller ones or do you have expanders? My scar began to open during rads as the skin tightened so I had some saline removed from the expander. Have now had it replaced with permanent implant.
If it’s not a daft question why have you got implants on both sides? I know I’m opening a can of worms but I can see why they wouldn’t do both at the same time although not why they wouldn’t reduce the other side to match when the one you have to have done has settled down.
I would imagine it also depends on why you have an implant in the remaining breast? If you have to have it done on the NHS when you originally went private there might be some issue regarding finite resources if the implant on the remaining breast was by choice.
I’m not for one minute saying these are my views just trying to put a different take on it.
I was just trying to look at what they might say as someone who used to work in theatres. However now you’ve explained I see I got it wrong and I apologise. Also to echo what greenleaf said about the cosmetic tweaks etc, I just know what sometimes may happen when it comes to plastics. The way your posts were written it wasn’t clear that you didn’t opt for an implant on the unaffected side as an improvement and therefore would make arguments different.
HOWEVER…
You should definitely go in and state the following.
It was NOT your choice to be this much bigger.
The result of the rejection of the affected side is causing you pain and so has to be replaced.
The result of surgery to be made symmetrical was such an increase it is affecting your emotional wellbeing. You would never have opted for breast augmentation, it was a necessary procedure. Therefore if one side is being operated on take the opportunity to keep symmetrical and reduce both. You really need to impress on them the emotional side. Yes you are grateful to be here, we all are BUT if you deliberately avoiding situations because of this massive increase in size it is unacceptable because it is reversible.
Did they give you any option at the time about size? If not stress this. I can see why this wouldn’t be available under your private plan - again not saying I agree just saying from experience I know how these things sometimes work.
Do you have a supportI’ve GP? If so try and see him/her tomorrow and ask for their back up. It is for your mental well-being.
It’s rubbish that the private plan doesn’t cover the rejected implant. If it became massively infected whilst you were still an inpatient they would have to sort it.
Try and give actual scenarios where you’ve had to radically change your lifestyle because of this.
Write down a list before you go with every single point you want to put across in case it becomes too emotional and you forget something.
Like someone has already said the surgeons may be in collaboration to back each others opinion up.
Point out that this is a part of your life you want to recover from and move on but these issues are stopping you doing that.
Once again I apologise if I annoyed you, just wanted to get the facts right before I tried to help and also to prepare you for what might be asked.
Good luck on Monday. If you don’t have any joy don’t give up. Start from scratch have and look at the neighbouring trusts to where you live and ask your gp to refer you there.
Hi Louise something else I thought of this morning.
They may say about the risks of further surgery still not correcting the problem or that the surgical risks eg infection etc outweigh the risk of benefit. Point out that you’ve already considered all that and that having both done at the same time means not having a further op to match them when the first is settled and also halves the anaesthetic risk due to one surgery instead of two.
Also mention that you’ve considered/had (?) counselling and that isn’t the answer as the physical issue will still remain. X
Sorry just thought of something else. As the mastectomy was not your choice, nor the size they made you if they say they won’t reduce both sides just tell them you’ll seek legal advice.
I have naturally large boobs and so I’m used to them but they cause so much strain on your shoulders and back which wouldn’t be good as you had your muscle taken from there. X
Good luck tomorrow Louise x
Thank you so much
I’m dreading going but will go in fighting spirit
Hopefully will have some good news X x
How did you get on Louise? Xx
Thanks so much for this message
I have a massive headache
He didn’t say that he would not reduce size on both sides BUT if I went down that route I have to expect non symmetry which I have now although the cup sizes are different. And this is because of the size of the pocket already there. But by reducing the affected side he could match up. So do I want a match or smaller size. Again I was offered counselling to get me to be happy with the way I look. I personally no that will not change my mind.
I asked about getting another opinion and he has agreed so I’m going to see another surgeon same hospital female ) my guess is they collaborate with each other !!!
But worth a go
Otherwise it’s a case of going along with what he says
But I did say if I’m still not happy would he consider still helping me.
Oh, and when I said I’d been asking for help and advise from this forum he said I was better off staying away from such sites as they fill you with information that is no help as everyone experiences are different
Can you believe it !!!
So plan is see another surgeon for another opinion and see what she says
Think I’m going to post another blog asking if anyone has had a mastectomy reducing and what results they got
One more nightmare again for me
Oh and when I said j just wanted to put this behind me and move on and lead a normal life j was told these breast will always need work on them as they are never long term which I understand but feel upset I was told it again
Sorry for long story bet you wished you’d never asked now
But thank you that you did X x
Hi
Did you get any replies, I ask this because my first implants deflated and had to be changed, but the second lot are HUGE and exceptionally painful,they have been described by 2 other consultants as being oversized! I am trying to get a DEIP flap, any information would be appreciated