Dear Nurses
I saw a surgeon approximately 3.5 years after my initial mastectomy in 2015 ( due to remote location I was referred to another Health Authority). Having previously been told reconstruction was not possible I was told I could have a silicone implant with lipofill.
I had a tissue expander put in in October 2019; by the time covid came it had been expanded with 330 mls ( I am a 36A/B).
I have remained like this ( with lots of phone follow ups and a further 50mls last September) until it ruptured 2 weeks ago.
I was seen straight away by my own hospital ( bloods, u/s) but not seen by my surgeon for various reasons until 2 days ago.
She seemed cross I had asked to be seen: I explained how worried I was about ‘old’ fluid leaking out ( can it absorb plastic after a long time inside?) failure of process ( skin / capsule issues), general distress re regression to flat breast again…
I said I had checked the NHS site and whereas it is not classed as an emergency it advised it should be replaced either with another expander or an implant. I also said I was worried that it had been in so long.
I was told that it was an uncommon event but that it was perfectly acceptable to leave it like this until they would be able to exchange it in September/ October. I was also told it is quite usual for an expander to be left in for 3 years. When I expressed my disappointment and concern about successful reconstruction I was told there was no issue re skin or capsule shrinking.
She then told me that I might need to consider an expander implant instead. This seemed to contradict what she had just told me.
She said the silicone implant would be softer but would leave me with a smaller breast; the expander implant would give me a similar size breast but a poorer shape and would be less comfortable. Both of these options terrify me: I have never been told to definitely expect poor results before ( there was also no mention of lipofill). I have found the tightness of the expander uncomfortable these past 3 years but always assumed the implant would be less so. She is ringing me next week for my decision before giving me a date for September or October.
I had my husband with me: we both felt very upset by the whole situation.
I haven’t been able to discuss it yet with my own hospital but have had a phone conversation with a breast surgeon in another area who feels I may need to consider having a new expander in again first. This makes sense to me.
I feel I have lost confidence in my surgeon and also in my own judgment.
I posted on the surgery site in case anyone had been in a similar situation but have had no replies yet. I just hoped to have some advice before she rings on Thursday.
many thanks