Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Vanja I had a single mastectomy 3 and a half years ago with tissue expander and strattice.  Mine wasn't filled up for over a year later and I too hated the resuslts.  It felt like I was carrying around a heavy hot water bottle, and like you, my breast was very hard.  It took me a long time to persuade my BS to exchange it for a silicone implant as he was not happy to change it.  I think it depends on which part of the country you reside and the surgeon as to whether you can change the implant.   Although my new breast is not even I have not regretted my decision and am now going through lipo-fill to fill in the gaps and dents in my breast.  I hope that this has helped and keep us all in the loop.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Loona44 Just wondering how you are doing - did you have the uplift and any more lipo-fill?  I had second lipo just before Christmas, not good timing but glad I had it done.  My PS also did a tottoo which was very painful for the first couple of weeks and although glad I had it done, is still much darker than my real one.  She said it will fade over time.   My second lipo-fill is slowly reabsorbing and I wonder if yours is still good.  I return next week to see PS and wonder if she will agree to putting me on the list for 3rd try.  I have not left this country or been on holiday for over 3 and a half years but finally feel its time to get on with life again - what a long journey this is.  Hope you are well.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Loona   Just saw your post and so sorry that you ended up in hospital with gallstones and not your lipo.  That would really upset me too. I am 3 months on the waiting list and finally phoned the hospital to see where I am on the list.  I will have to wait a few weeks as my surgeon is on holiday.  All I want to know is whether it will be this side of Christmas or not.  We carry on with the waiting game.  I hope the deferred op will not be too long for you.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Artemis17 I think this is a question to you and to Linda.  Were you told not to wear an underwired bra after 1st lipo?  I was and now not sure if this was for the first 6 weeks or for ever.  Most of the fat has now gone and on the waiting list for second go, the PS said she would also do the tatoo at the same time which is exciting.  Mind you the nipple recon didn't work and sadly it fell off!!  I hope the tatoo will make things look a bit better.   Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Loona and Ladies   Just wondering how the 2nd transfer is going.  I hope that more fat has remained.  I return tomorrow to see my PS and am hoping that she will agree to another try.  Some fat has remained from first op but has completely gone from under my breast.  I found it very difficult to do nothing strenuous for 6 weeks after the op.  Regards to all. Chris ... View more

Hi Nicky76   Just read your post.  I was faced with the same decision 3 years ago and the idea of a long op versus a shorter strattice op worried me.  I opted for the strattice as I was also worried about loosing strength in my right arm.  Having said that, I feel that my right arm is not as strong and I still have difficulty in lifting heavy weights (shopping bags etc).  If I stand still the breast looks fairly decent but I feel that my strattice was sewn on too tightly as there is pulling in muscles above the breast.   I suppose that I am glad that I went down this route, these are difficult decisions to make.  I hope that other ladies will add their opinions for you soon.  Good luck and keep me informed of your decision.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Linda   Good to hear that you are recovered from your last op. Is there a noticable improvement or has most of the fat been re-absorbed?  Mine is gradually going which is quite upsetting.  I do not see my PS till end of August and am hoping that she will give me another go - this fat transfer is so hit and miss.  Let me know how things progress.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Christine   Yes, I stopped taking them altogether.  I had already made up my mind but made an appt to see oncologist and surgeon before I stopped taking them.  I was interested in any data on percentages and it seemed to me that the benefits of staying on outweighed the effects it was having on me.  Not sure if that makes any sense - I suppose I mean I prefer the quality of life to the possibility of extending my life.  Anyway, it will take at least 6 months before the effect of the drug has left my body.  Hands still stiff but I think they are improving.   I hope this has helped.  Let me know how you get on.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Kate   I had an uplift over a year ago and have had lipofill but not at the same time.  I have not had lipofill on the uplift side.  A year on my breast has dropped considerably and now hangs much lower than on the MX side.  The lipofill was to put more volume on the other side but a lot has been re-absorbed so may have to have another go.  I hope that this has helped - let time and gravity do its thing and let us know how things go.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Ladies   I was on Letrazole for 2 and half years and have recently stopped taking them.  During that time I was very giddy, even turning over in bed would make the room spin, and my right hand is so stiff that it is difficult to move it first thing in the mornings.  I have been told by my surgeon that it may take a good 6 months before I see an improvement in my hand joints.  Has anyone else had similar problems I wonder.  Regards Chris ... View more

Dear Nicole   Unfortunately access is denied on the link even though I have tried several times to access it.  Not sure if this is my computer but can you check it out.  Look forward to being able to do the survey in the future.  Regards ... View more

Hi Linda   So far I am happy with the results although I can see that under the breast it is being re-absorbed.  It was also filled on top where there was a lot of dents and in the front where the stitches from the strattice were very evident (looked like a 4 inch row of nipples).  The nurse told me that what is there after 3 weeks will most probably remain - I hope that this is so.  Wouild I do it again, yes regardeless of the pain, but that depends on the PS.   I was told to keep knickers on for 6 weeks as I may develop liquid beneath where the fat was taken which scares me a bit but if you stopped wearing yours after 4 weeks I may try a day or two.   I guess I am ahead of you as already had uplift to other breast which gravity and age is now defying plus a nipple recon which was not successful - I developed necrosis and it fell off plus it is a good inch lower that real one.  This process takes years but here's hoping we all get there in the end.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Linda   Good luck for next week, at least now we know what to expect.  Just a bit of info, I too have a blood condition and was told to continue my asprin and hydroxy up to the morning of the op (for previous bigger ops I had to discontinue up to a week prior to surgery).  As a matter of interest, how long did you have to wear the compression knickers for?  I have been told 6 weeks.    Anyway, let me know how it all goes when you can.  Regards Chris ... View more

Hi there ladies   I looked in TKmax and Primark but found nothing.  After searching around many shops opted for M & S and bought 2 pairs of body shapers - they also do ones that go down your thighs.  I was shocked to see how expensive they are and M & S were reasonably priced in comparison.  The only problem is that the elastic at the top has given me a bad rash and so now wearing them inside out with cotton knickers underneath (very flattering).   The pain and bruising was pretty bad for the first week but much better now.  Some of the fat appears to be going which is a shame, but have to wait till August for next appt with PS.   Good luck Loona with next op.  Regards ... View more

Absolutely Suebeehoney   I have read some posts in the past and wept for some of the ladies.  It seems when times are hard it is good for the soul to catch up with stories and put ones own problems into perspective.  Some posts are so informative also.  Lets hope its up and onwards for us all now.  Regards. ... View more

Hi Loona44 Just wondering if you managed to get your second lipofill op done after disapointing pre op.  I finally have a date for beginning of May.  I am hoping that not all of the fat will be absorbed and it is a more successful op that my nipple recon.  Yes, the waiting times between the procedures is agonising and seems to go on and on.  Let me know how you got on.  Regards ... View more

Hi Kaya51 From my experience I would say that a silicone implant is more comfortable than an expander one and feels more like a breast - sadly nothing like my original one which I suppose I still mourn.  The thing to consider is that it requires surgery but this is minor compared to the original mx.  With regard to pain, yes it is a bit uncomfortable at first but the insertion of the implant is under the breast and leaves a small scar.   It will be interesting to hear what other ladies say, in the meantime I wish you luck with your decision.  Regards ... View more

Hi Ladies   What an interesting thread.  A year ago a friend suggested that I had a mantra tatooed in place of a nipple and at the time I laughed.  Now I am thinking that maybe this is a good idea.    Regards Chris ... View more

Hi Kaysarrah   I finally did have the implant changed to a silicone one (after 3 cancellations!!) and it feels so much better.  I can now sleep on my side and stomach without feeling as though I am bouncing off the bed.  The only problem now is that I need lipo fill as there is a lot of denting above my breast.  My breast is also very lumpy from the stitches which hold in the strattice.   As far as the size of the implant goes I believe they come in many shapes and sizes.  Apparently my surgeon had several in theatre so I guess this is down to a discussion with your Dr.  Good luck with your decision and keep us in the loop.  I hope that at some time in the future implants will be even more realistic and will feel and look like the breasts we lost.   Regards Chris ... View more