Hi All, I’m feeling a bit down with my recon breast and although I know I have hope in getting it sorted it seems its going to be another trip to surgery. It’s smaller than the ‘good’ one and has ripples and bumps from the back tissue used and implant to make it. The ripples etc are across the top middle part which you see in tops that show a little boob or cleveage, can’t get bra to fit either, having to wear soft sport bra tops with no shaping or support.
I saw consultant 6 weeks after op (op 23 July)and he agreed it wasn’t the right shape etc but to give it a few weeks to settle and excercise it in the meantime and then go back, it could mean change of implant and/or lipofill to correct it but time might sort it out. Disappointed that more down time needed as was implied it should all be ok with the one big op. Was hopeful I’d be considering nipple going back on now now another boob op.
Anyway, back on track, my question is has anyone else needed implant changed in recon breast? Can’t find any details and just need some answers or details regarding pain, recovery times, results etc I can see further op will be needed and this isn’t going to be until the New Year, so another Christmas of trying to find something to wear that doesn’t overly show the difference, whilst looking around at others pretty dresses and cleveages.
I’m due to start phased return to work (whole other story) in the next few weeks too and worry about the outside world, I know people will be looking and asking questions, which isn’t a problem except so far when I’ve mentioned to people about fact might need another op because its not balanced etc I get the impression they think I’m being fussy! ‘guess you want them perfect’ I hear, I just want them to half way match and be able to buy a ‘proper’ bra!!!
I had a revision of a LD recon (original Autumn 08 and revision in Feb 10) as it was a really bad shape and very painful.I had the implant changed, the flap freed up - whatever that means and the other side reduced to try to get them to a reasonably matching pair. In the revision op I gained a new scar under the recon whereas I had no additional front scars from the original op (except for the areola scar where they cut off the nipple). I also lost nipple sensation on the good side from the matching (they tightened skin but did not reduce the boob. Although it looked reasonably promising in the first few months all the weird ripples, lumps and bumps are back on the recon, the real one is still two sizes bigger but I am almost past caring. I hang on to the thought that when they eventually slap a nipple on it it may look a bit more boob like, but have resigned myself to dressing differently. I get through by reminding myself that it’s an alternative to nothing but it is not really a breast so I can’t reasonably expect it to look like one. I wouldn’t bother with another tidy up, even if it was offered as I have lost faith in the possibility of a pleasing result.
some people do get good results though it seems to be a very individual thing.
Wishing you luck and hope you get a result you can live comfortably with.
Hi, sorry to hear about your LD flap problems. I had mine in feb this year without implant. I am having my second revision in a couple of weeks with lipofill. The other side is still noticeably bigger but am not having that one touched at the moment! I hope the procedure will address the ripples and flatness and even out the shape. I hope you get the opportunity to have the revision you need to balance you out! It is important. X
Hi Jane - I’m sorry to hear about your problems, although I can empathise with some of them I have been lucky in that not a lot of pain in the recon, just the back. Does seem consultants say yes we can do this and that but we are all different as you say and some need more ‘tweeking’ than others but its having the will to keep going through it. Being caught in the ups and downs of more expectations in trying to match-up even at my stage is a downer, so for you being further down the line than me must have difficult days. Maybe having the nipple ‘slapped on’ would give you some positive vibe or maybe when you get to that dicussion about the nip you’ll be more up for a further rebuild before trying out the nipple. My consulatant says he wants to get better shape etc before doing the nipple, but would agree there is only so long can wait or go through more op’s. I also lost most of my nipple sensation in the good boob where they’re put an implant in and lift it to match the recon one, was going to be a one procedure operation with just nipple to finish. Like you I think about the what ifs and it could be worse BUT I also think that we deserve to have the best manmade boobs we can due to what we’ve had to deal with. I’m hoping you have the opportunity and will to give yourself a balancing chance but if not hope they slap that nipple on like a full stop to the fiddling.
Can I ask, do you wear a ‘filler’ in a bra to try and even up on the outside or have you worked out a system of dress to not have to do this?
Thank you for sharing your story so far and hope you can get the faith back if you need it.
Hi Tina, I wasn’t sure if it was the weight of the implant causing the ripples (its not a huge one) but guess not if you didn’t have one popped in. The consultant said the lipofill could help smooth things out if was needed after the settling time but not a lot of other info at that time. I’ve read that it can take about 3 attempts with the lipofill because the body absorbs the fat back in and that they tend to take from inner thigh, which is the painful bit. How’s it been for you and what kind of recovery time from it? How long inbetween fills?
Thank you any info you can share, I’m seeing consultant 2 Dec so trying to get head together to know what he’s talking about or what questions to ask him.
As I go along through these processes I am realising more and more it is important as you say. Need to get it right, even though I’m in a hurry to put all this behind me and get back to ‘normal’. Hope the lipofill helps with your ripples and flatness and ‘normal’ comes back to you soon.
Love
Debs x
Hi, I am still waiting for the op, (15th Nov), hope to recover in time for Xmas. About 25% get reabsorbed apparently and it can take 3 fills to get right according to my surgeon. Time will tell how successful it may turn out to be. X
Hi Tina, sorry thought you’d already had the procedure as you said due to have second revision, but presume rebuild was first and now lipofill is second. Well good luck for the 15th, not long to wait now, nervous times but worth it I hope. If you can please let me know how you get on and how you are. I’ll be thinking of you and sending you speedy get well wishes X
Hi, I thought i would drop a line and let you know my little “story”! I had my ld flap and recon done in March, with an implant. 2 weeks later my body rejected the implant and i was rushed back to surgery to have it removed (I was devestated!).
3 weeks ago I had the implant put back in, when i woke up i knew instantly that something was wrong - my implant is now lying just under neath my shoulder!!! I am now booked in for surgery on Tues to remove it from my shoulder and put it back in my boob. They are then going to “strap me up” for however long it takes to make sure it doesnt move again. I think my friends think im being fussy and should just leave it as it is. But, is it too much to ask to have “normal” looking breasts after all we have been through?? My only worry is that the surgeon has said this is the last time he can go in and adjust it so if it chooses to stay up by my shoulder then it will have to stay there and also that im getting married in Barbados in 7 weeks and REALLY REALLY would have liked to have a nice pair of boobs!!!
Hi Debs, my first revision was to remove extra scar tissue, bit like a “dog ear” on the side of the recon, no lipofill at the time it was apparently too early. Deed, I hope it gets sorted before your wedding! How upsetting this must be for you. Fingers crossed for your op! X
Hi Tina, I’ve been lucky so far it seems even though I’m moaning, no dog ears or shifting implants! Still want it right though and going to continue down the road to full recovery, easier said than done some days X
Hi Deed - You are on a rollercoaster and my heart honestly goes out to you. Stressful enough but a wedding to arrange too and overseas, I hope you have good people around you who are helping and doing as much as possible, you have to just give the orders Even if they are giving opinions that aren’t always constructive, its a common problem though it seems, I think because people see what we’ve been through and think maybe we’ve had enough. I know most people have good intentions but sometimes wrong things said at the wrong time for sure. Lets hope the strapping you down Tuesday gives it the message of where it has to stay and you can wear your boobs with pride in Barbados!!! I presume the consultants ok with you flying? When you can let us know how you are and we’d love to see some wedding pics :~) Take care and be thinking of you Tuesday and sending positive thoughts X
Hi Debs
Everything for the wedding is just about done because its been delayed twice thanks to this horrible disease so its been sat in place for 8 months!! I have my hen night on the 25th of the month and bought a beautiful corset but doesnt look like i shall be wearing it.
It will be an emotional night because ive got 24 girls who have in one way or another helped me through this and i want to thank them all - better wear waterproof mascara!
Tina - i also had my dogs ear and scar tissue sorted it. its made a bit more scarring but seeing as i look like a London Underground map anyway, what one more extra “line” lol
will let you know how the surgery and bandaging goes on tues. thanks for your thoughts.
Deed sorry to hear about the latest - in my case the implant slipped the opposite way and I now have it stitched into the muscle pocket so it can’t move at all!
I don’t wear a filler as the hard recon really aches, especially if I stuff anything else in the bra. I hate the way it sits there like a rock while the other side jiggles normally. However, I don’t think that I really have any more energy for this - the tweaking brought a whole new bunch of problems and despte what I tell my nearest and dearest I don’t really feel much benefit from the second attempt. My consultant did say to me that he can’t hope to make a perfect boob from a mx and although t’s an implant and LD it is vey different to cosmetic ops. Thnk he is saying that’s my lot. However, I am encouraged that so many on here feel that the nip and tattoo make it feel more normal and I’m pinning my hopeson that.
Good luck with the wedding!
Hi Deed, it does cause everything to be put on hold, sure its 3rd time lucky! I feel constantly in limbo as don’t feel finshed yet and keep putting off arrangements until nearer the time, some friends haven’t understood this, guess you find out who your friends are. You sound like you have a great bunch of girls around you and your hen most definately will be one to remember! Defo on the waterproof mascara
I know its all a risk, takes time and everyone is different but learning about other experiences helps me prepare, I’m a bit of a information overload person, so thank you for sharing.
I didn’t know about implants going walkabout so that’s on my list for the consultant, he’s be good up to now with info so hoping the follow on will be the same.
Hi Jane, yes I get the aches and worsens if try to put some kind of bra on or overly adjust it (as if I can lol) The jiggling is also something I’ve notice. I have basic white and black soft, no wire, no lace bra like things and on the more aching days then the soft vest top with some support to hold gently?
Your consultant seems abit to the point…mine did explain it would never look identical to a natural boob, the main difference was the lack of any droop, not a problam really. He said aim was to look good out of a bra and great in a bra - I’m definately not at either one of those stages yet but will see how this next meeting goes. I’m not completely sure yet but think its change of implant (another scar) and then maybe lipofill. Like you though I think I would get to the point of why bother anymore and try to get on with my life, as I feel in limbo at the moment and not able to get on properly, only so long that can happen before i snap. My nearest and dearest doesn’t really say too much, lets me have my moan moments and we move onto another day, he wouldn’t push me.
I’m glad your still encouraged to look at options and hope consultant does his bit to help.
I know what you mean about being in a hurry to get on with life. I feel like as long as I am under reconstruction I am somehow “paused”. Obv I am at work, hair is back, I act normal and most things look normal to everyone and they are more or less normal superficially. But I know I’m not normal and I’m fed up that recon takes so long!!! I just want to look normal to myself and I really do hope that the nip and tattoo make as much difference as the girls on here say!
Guess we have to learn patience but it makes me crazy as I like to get on with things and all the hanging around drives me nuts and feeds my sense of no control. I feel like a room someone started to decorate, they strip the paper, takes ages to fill the walls and God only knows when they will get round to papering the walls.
Hi girls
had my operation this morning and the implant removed and replaced. Im trussed up like a turkey in the hope it doesnt move but so far feeling really good. Hardly any pain which has surprised me.
Keeping fingers crossed that this is the last hurdle to jump in this fight of this horrible disease…now, i just need to sort out the emotional scars!!!
Hi Deed,
Thanks for the update, and so soon! I’m glad you feel really well, you knew last time something was wrong straight away, so super good your feeling ok this time around, that must be a good omen. Fingers crossed this is the last hurdle for you too, low pain is good news too. I guess the sexy trussing may help Maybe there is hope for the corset yet but if not there’ll be time laters. Keep your feet up and keep everyone else running around for now.
Luv n hugs
Debs xx
Hi Jane, what you say is exactly how I feel. Head down and get on with it. On the outside people including my nearest and dearest a lot of the time think ‘normal’ now, but that’s not how it is on the inside, more in a parallel universe living someone elses life. The time it takes to get all the things done doesn’t help because gives time to think and longer it goes on it seems the more people forget why we need another operation, procedure or have another down day etc. They say time is a healer and I have tried to embrase that thought. Reading peoples shared experiences helps me feel more ‘normal’ and that I’m not just being a moaning mini or creating a drama, be it a quiet one, well some of the time! :). I have learnt I like to be in control through this, never thought I was such a control freak, always looked at myself as laid back, it does drive you made when things aren’t happening or you can’t move it on, there’s diddlie squaut you can do about it…like not having the pasting table but all the paper and paste
I have my back to work interview tomorrow to sort out phased return, had to ask for it and prepare them for it! Think it was thought fit note would run out and I’d just turn up and could sort it out from then, even though they knew it was going to happen a year ago after the initial op and my almost breakdown because they didn’t think about phased return and refused to take any responsiblity to my emotional state, it seems its so difficult to prepare a procedure. I might be paranoid but I don’t think they get why it takes so long and I’m just waiting for the reaction when I tell them I’m probably going to have to have another procedure, they have good coffee though Guess I’m the first in the company this has happened too so I’m the guinnea pig, but they’ve had a year. Got my list of questions and although I’m losing out pay wise I want it all in writting before I go back so no surprises. If only there were guidelines for companies - oh wait, there are and I gave them a ream of paper with them printed off last year!!
Sorry I’ve gone off onto a rant, should be off to bed to be fresh for tomorrow but head is going round, I’m sure it will be fine but it’s that out of control thing again, and dwelling on last years ‘experience’.
Back on track - Do you have an appointment to discuss a nip and tat yet? Or aren’t you ready for that? I would guess it’s tuff decison as on one hand yes done draw a line under that, but on the other it would mean done and could feel what now?
Midnight now so must try the sleep thing! Take care and sending happy thoughts.
I had my original op (mastectomy and LD recon in September 2006). Since then I have had a nipple recon and dog ear removed, then I had the nipple tattoo, 3 times so far as it has totally faded. In October 2010 I have just had lipofill to even out the size, and at last the result is one I can live with, just have to see if it needs topping up in 3 months time.
When I had my first surgery, I never imagined that I would still be having more over 4 years later, but I think it important to get the best result you can, as the way I see it, I have a lot of living still to do, and want to feel the best I can about myself.
Anyone who has not been through this cannot understand the emotional impact it has, and feeling good about how you look is no small thing.
Mostly I only chat to my hubby, who is fab, and a couple of close friends about things, but on here people really understand.
Just want to wish all of you the best with your various ops.
Thank you for sharing your experience and you seem ok with how things have progressed, even though frustrating its still an ongoing process.
It helps me so much prepare for whats upcoming from lovely ladies like yourself who share experiences, after my mx last June I thought I’d be done by now…how wrong!! It takes some adjusting doesn’t it.
I didn’t know it would be 3 months inbetween lipofills if thats the road I have to take, know more on 2nd Dec, next ps appointment. Looking forward with getting a better shape and covering some of the lumps, bumps and ripples, maybe next year lol
Having the lipofill now, is that something you felt was always needed straight off from the recon op or has your recon changed over time? I’m presuming the first from your comment ‘at last a result I can live with’.
I agree its important to get things as right as can be. Looking forward to feeling good on the inside to show a true happy face on the outside.
Seems reading more peoples experiences I need to learn to have more patience and that I can’t control whats to be, just deal with whatever turns up.
Thanks again for sharing and hope your recent lipofill continues to be one you can live with.
Even if they are giving opinions that aren’t always constructive, its a common problem though it seems, I think because people see what we’ve been through and think maybe we’ve had enough. I know most people have good intentions but sometimes wrong things said at the wrong time for sure. Lets hope the strapping you down Tuesday gives it the message of where it has to stay and you can wear your boobs with pride in Barbados!!! I presume the consultants ok with you flying? When you can let us know how you are and we’d love to see some wedding pics :~) Take care and be thinking of you Tuesday and sending positive thoughts X