I’m a newbie and 12 weeks post surgery after LD flap recon with MX at same time to left breast, doing well but experiencing excrutiating soreness from implant, feels completely alien and heavy, have had inflation twice, but I am constatnly aware of the implant and find it extremely uncomfortableto sit and sleep, which I have to do on my back slightly propped… is this normal… I have had no real support from my surgeon or nurse, and find them very unsympathetic, I don;t complain and have coped well with support of famnily and friends up to now, but want to know if implant will settle down, or surgoen has suggested replacing with fixed volume (assume he means silicone)… i’d love to hear from anyone else who may have had similar experience… as the thought of having to return to hospital for more surgery scares me - up till 12 weeks ago I had never been near a hospital…
Hi teddy1604
I have replied to you on the other thread you have posted on, but just to reiterate please do give the helpline team here a ring they’re here to support you. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000.
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
Hiia Teddy 1604
So sorry to hear you are having a bit of a problem. I am on week ten after ld flap and small implant op on the left side like you. The front bit is fine although I have to admit getting some really funny contracting feelings especially when driving. My problems have been more to do with the back, As a result of this, I have received a lot of support from the Breast Nurses and am seeing the Consultant again on Tuesday but I have had to be forceful Teddy 1604. My suggestion would be for you to be more forceful. You must fight to get your health back! It is very easy for them to dismiss you because it is not them going through the pain. Take the bull by the horns and let us know how you get on! xxx
Hi Soosie soo, Thankyou so much for your encouraging words, yes I think you are right, i’m a pretty strong person, and have taken all of this really with a “laissez faire” attitude, and thought perhaps if I started to put my foot down then maybe they would listen, I think that the weight of the implant is possibly what is causing the pain, but it is certainly not something I can live with forever… so I will make an appt this week… and just touching on your comments about contracting feelings, they will subside, just takes your brain a while to get used to the muscle being in a different place, and massage certainly helps, my hubbie has been very patient and massages my back / shoulder daily, and it really does ease, thanks again taking the trouble to reply, and encouraging to know someone who had same op… xx
Hi once again Teddy 1604! It sounds like you have formulated a plan and I am sure you will get this sorted! Your husband sounds great just like mine! I have had a lot of problems with swelling and bruising and I had to have a seroma drained five times. I am happy with the front bit and don’t mind the scar on the back as I know this will fade but the swelling and lumpiness on my back has really freaked me out! It’s like a lump above the scar and I was terribly upset when one Doctor referred to it as a shelf! Anyway, the Physio showed hubby how to massage it correctly and it has started to go down. Hooray! Don’t forget to let us know how you get on with your appointment. See ya xxx
Hi Teddy 164.
I am 3 months post right side mastectomy and LD bilateral reconstruction. I previously had a L side mastectomy in June 2011.
Nothing prepared me for the pain and ongoing discomfort and I have to agree that you need to speak up if only to get reassurance that things will improve. I had to ask for seroma to be taken off because surgeons are not keen to do it because of risk of infection. THE RELIEF was immediate.
I can totally relate to all the feelings you describe. My implants feel heavy uncomfortable and tight and I was sleeping in a recliner chair until about 4 weeks ago. In sheer desperation I rang the ward where I had the surgery and the breast care specialist agreed to see me, arranged for seroma to be aspirated and referred me for physio. I’ve been seeing a specialist physio attached to breast care team for a month and this has made a significant difference. I did not know I had cording ( 5 in all) under my armpit and down my left arm. I have been having massage(very painful) and doing specific exercises and slowly but surely I feel more comfortable. I do still hate the feeling that I have something foreign inside me, but it is getting easier. My problem is part psychological as I had wanted the Dieppe Flap, but couldn’t because of internal scarring.
I was told that it would take about six weeks to get over surgery but people recover at different rates. I do feel for you. It’s not so long ago that I felt as you do. One other thing that helped my discomfort. I bought some all in one sports bras with racer backs from M&S and although hard to get and off they are so comfy and help that heavy tight feeling. You can t wear them under lots of clothes by they are great for lounging exercising as they have no seams. They also cheer me up as they come in quite flashy colours.
When I saw my surgeon eight weeks post surgery he seemed only interested in the end result. He did say that when he sees me again next Jan I will feel differently. I told him I didn’t believe him, as I was in a lot of pain and discomfort. I do feel better now, but progress has been much slower than I anticipated. At the time I felt as if I had two heavy football’s sitting on my chest. I remember having a bit of a go at him because he had not forewarned me of some of the after effects I was experiencing. Probably a bit harsh because of course everyone’s experience is different.
I think after surgery it’s easy to get forgotten unless you speak out. Like you I tend to get on with things, but sometimes you almost have to direct your own care.
I hope it helps you to read my blog and I hope things begin to improve for you soon. Mags60