I had a Mx with immediate strattice reconstruction in Sept 2010, initially with an expander but the exchange was done just before Xmas 2010.
I had a haematoma after the op (I always do!) but that was dealt with and I was OK other than a minor weeping from the very end of the wound for about 3 weeks afterwards. I had it checked and kept a clean dressing on it and it was fine. It was nothing like as bad to recouperate from as I thought it would be.
Overall, I am very pleased with it, I have to have some lipofil to give it a more softened shape and then I will have the nipple reconstruction done.
If I can help anyone who is contemplating this type of reconstruction, please PM me or ask on here. xx
Are there any strattice ladies out there who are quite a few months down the line? Does it start to soften up at all or droop more? Has anyone had it done who was a DD cup and did you have to go down in size much?
Yes I am 11 months down the line from a bi-lateral mx with strattice and was due to go in tomorrow (3rd June) to have my expander implants exhanged for silicone only one’s but this has had to be postponed. My implants have softened over the months but I am told that the silicone ones are better hence waiting for the change. Also my right implant has dropped too far - through a few stitches which was also going to be sorted out tomorrow, but I did’nt think that with the strattice there would be any droop which was the beauty of it. I was only a B/C cup but I think in the end I will end up slightly bigger so thats a bit of a bonus!
Hope this has helped.
I had strattice reconstruction and Natrelle tissue expander inserted in Jan 2011. On the whole it has been fine except it hasn’t been expanded so that it looks totally breast shaped (if that makes sense!). I am still getting some pain but that is probably to be expected. My next decision is whether to stay with what I’ve got or to go for reconstruction. I was a 38DD/40A but am now 36DD. I have an awful feeling my surgeon is going to say that’s too big to have a silicone implant but fingers crossed. The other options fill me with horror! I have a prosthesis to put in my bra to give me a good shape which I wasn’t expecting but perhaps I just expected too much from reconstruction! Any way it all looks fine under clothes which is how most people see me!
Hi folks. Good to hear more about Strattice. This was mentioned to me as an option when I said I wasn’t keen on those procedures which affect other areas of the body, e.g. LD. However, they started off talking about Strattice but are now talking about Permacoll. Sorry if I’m being a bit slow on the uptake, but what’s the difference? Also, I’ve heard that having an implant under the pectoral muscle can affect your arm and shoulder movement. Has anyone had problems with this?
Hi Indaba,
I posted earlier on this thread and have now gone through with the Strattice- 3 weeks ago tomorrow. It has gone really well, shoulder and arm movement was one of my biggest worries but I have really good movement, just need to stretch a bit further above my head- it’s tight. However I can reach fairly high. I did only have SNB and no other nodes taken and that will make a huge difference. However , I had far more range of movement right from waking than I thoughtI would.
I have a pretty good match with my natural breast and after being rock hard it is starting to soften a little (no idea how much it will in future).
I don’t know the difference between Strattice and Permacoll ( trade names?). Some of these tissues are synthetic, some are animal based and I think some might even be human based but I am really not sure.
Good luck, I am definitely pleased with my choice so far.x
Thanks captaininvincible. That’s really good to hear, that it’s all gone so well for you and that it hasn’t affected your movement too badly. I think the idea of the procedure is a bit daunting, but it seems like the body can cope with a lot, and adapt when it has to! I’m planning to go ahead with it, but quite nervous! Fingers crossed… I hope you’re continuing to recover well. Thanks for the encouraging message.