I just found out I had BC a month ago, and have to have a mastectomy on the left breast as lump quite large . I had a consultation with the plastic surgeon yesterday and she has given me 2 options, so I was just looking for some advice from anyone that has had an implant, a couple of friend have had the back muscle moved but I am quite thin and the surgeon advised that the back on the left side could be thinner than the other side once they move the muscle ? and then there is the scar
so thinking about the implant - but only lasts 10 to 15 years and then more surgery when over 60, or my body could react to the silicone and then might need surgery in 6 months to remove the implant ? surgeon had advised that as my breasts are small and don’t droop that implant should look fine
just need some advise from anyone that has had the surgery to see what their experiences were like
Hi there. My surgery was 4.5 years ago, an implant with an ADM matrix sling. While I would always say I would rather have my original boob back, I have not regretted my decision yet. Really pleased with the aesthetic result (although no feeling has returned). I believe implants work well if you are a modest cup size.
Yes, more surgery may be required in the future but who knows what advances there will be between now and then. Also, if you have an implant now you will still have the option of an own tissue donation at a later stage if necessary.
Good luck with your decision and feel free to ask me more questions.
Hi again. I didn’t have to have radio in the end although the team did dither about whether I should for a while. I truly believe that my mental recovery was helped by having immediate reconstruction although I know how lucky I have been. Hope you settle on your decision soon. Once treatment gets underway you can start counting off the time and looking forward to nice things again.
Hi. My experience is in Sept 2018 I had a right sided mastectomy with a temporary skin expander implant. It wasn’t known if I’d need radiotherapy, but was told it wouldn’t affect the implant. It’s in a Braxon sling (I think that’s what it’s called). So when I woke up after surgery I wasn’t completely flat.
I then had the expander filled weekly to slowly stretch the skin. I was a D cup.
In August 2019 I had the expander exchanged to a softer more natural silicon implant. The result is pretty good - never the same or as good as my original one of course?.
I am now completely lobsided as the new boob is rounded and higher than my real one.
I was at the hospital on Wednesday to discuss what can be done and I’m now on a waiting list to have a reduction and uplift on my left one. Told it’s a 3 month waiting list- but at least I’m on it now and feel like I’m moving forward a bit.