Deconstructing after reconstruction

Anonymous

Deconstructing after reconstruction

Anonymous

Hi, I'm Tina.  This is my first time posting on this forum.  I underwent a bilateral mast in April 2008 and exchange surgery with permanent implants in September 2008.  I have since developed truncal lymphedema and grade 2-3 capsular contracture in one implant, and the other implant is now starting to scar.   Has anyone here gone through reconstruction and then deconstructed?  I posted this question over in the Lymphedema forum as well, as I am wondering if deconstructing may help improve my LE.  I am currently undergoing myofascial release therapy to help reduce the pain in my back/neck/pectoral muscles that is also a result of the scarring of my implant.  It seems to be helping somewhat, but I am tired of being uncomfortable in so many ways!   I am considering all my options before I see my plastic surgeon again in January.  If the myofascial release isn't the solution to my problems, then we will discuss surgery.  I am aware of a couple of choices with regard to swapping my implants, but I am also interested in learning about going breast/implant free.  Would my chest look like a war zone if I deconstruct?  Dented ribs, loose and flabby muscle and skin?  I think I could handle it -- I just need to know what to expect.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!  

Jaimieh

I was deconstructed but after a shortly after my expanders where swaped out.  My implants lasted about 2 months and while my skin and scar are not pretty it's not hideous.  I was deconstructed in September and it has slowly gotten better beside my seroma issues.  Good Luck and I hope everything works out. 

TammyLou

I didn't deconstruct, but I had a lot of trouble in the reconstruction arena.

IF things turn out to be bumpy, etc., then plastic surgery can help make your chest wall look more normal.

tl 

Anonymous

Thank you for your responses.  Jaimieh, it is good to hear that it doesn't look too bad.  I wonder if having them for over a year will make it worse.  I'm thinking the muscle and skin may need time to settle, and as you say TammyLou, maybe I'll need to have the PS tidy things up later.  

I'm hoping others who have deconstructed will come along and share their experiences. 

streetangel

Hi, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage IIA in Feb of 05. Had expanders put in, and waited a bit to have the implants put in. Wasn't really ready for another surgery I guess. I had them in for about a year and I began feeling lousy. Turns out I was one of those that ended up with MCTD and Lupus etc due to the implants which are a foreign body and some do not respond well. When I was diagnosed with the MCTD and Lupus I went out on the net and learned that the autoimmune disorders are very common with women that get the implants, its a very big topic with the implant industry actually. And, about every 3 months or so my left breast would get infected. The last infection was really scary and bad, I went to the ER my PS showed up, since my white count was so high and I kept having issues, I had them removed. That was Feb of this year. I have been very depressed and unsocial ever since. I work from home, so needless to say there is nothing that forces me out. I hate taking showers, I hate to see my scars and the damn dog ears whcih are not as bad after explanted. I haven't gone back to the RA to get new blood work done to see if the Lupus and MCTD are still there, all I know is I get no more pains in my body, have not been sick and no more infections. I'm not considering the tattoo approach to cover my chest, but not sure about that. 

franie

Tina, I would think a PS could reduce the amount of scaring and smooth the skin. This would be something I would discuss before hand. I did not choose reconstruction after my bilateral. I wanted to be perfectly flat and wear breast forms and am happy with that decision. Yes I do miss my breasts, but as long as I am wearing my forms I am the only one that knows my breasts are gone. This is not an easy decision for any of us. Good luck and take care.

purplemb

Hello, its been 5 years since my BC dx.. I had 2 implant surgeries..the first my PS thought I should look like Dolly Parton.. I was a size A ..?... he kept telling me to wait , it would fall and look great!! not so much... so after a year I had it redone!!! smaller... well that lasted about 4 months and was infected.. they cleared it up but it never felt right, so I deconstructed, now after all those surguries the scar was not very pretty, so I had a tattoo put over the scar...

This is a tough decision, please talk to your PS and ask ALL the questions.. and make them give you the answers..

take care and be strong

MB

MiachelJ

Hi.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia & MCTD in November, 2009 (have a nice family history of autoimmune diseases, so unfortunately, mine won't go away).  I got my breast cancer diagnosis in December.  Yea 2009, LOL!  I am going to my surgeon today to get this party started.  Trying to keep a good attitude but geez, how much can happen.  My diagnosis is DCIS.  The surgeons pathologist will look at my slides as a second opionion and make sure that is all that is going on.  I have good days & feel sorry for myself days.  But I am on meds for the FM & MCTD and they keep me in my own little world.  I forget things a lot, so......sometimes I forget that I'm sick and just think I'm goofy, in lala land, LOL!  I dread the "after".  I don't know if I'll need a mastectomy yet or just a lumpectomy & radiation.  I'm trying to look at this as time off work & getting to eat out when we travel from the "country" into the "city (Dallas)" for my visits & treatments.  I was wondering if you're treated different in any way if you have auto immune issues.  I realize yours didn't show up until later but didn't know if you might have some insight into those issues.  Hope things are looking up for you.  Look forward to hearing from you!

 Mia

 p.s.  how does radiation effect you?  any hair loss with that?  nausea, etc?

Thanks!!

Mia

lauralu

I had my implants put in three years ago. I have lots of neck and back pain. I am seriously considering deconstruction. I don't know what to do at this point.Very scary. I don't know if the implants are to blame. I would definatly have no problem with deconstruction if I know it would ease the pain. I also worry about the wy my chest will look afterwards

I quit my job recantly as I cannot handle sitting or standing to long. I am miserable and I feel so alone in this.

grover

Erica3681

Grover,

Check out the Personal Stories section of my non-profit website, BreastFree.org, particularly "Susan's Story" and "Joan's Story." They both had deconstruction. You are NOT alone.

Barbara

thetrumumshow

Hi Tina,

I'm in the UK and I deconstructed after weeks of pain with my expanders.  2 years on and my chest does look a bit like a battle zone.  I'd sned you a picture but don't know how!!

Trudie.

Erica3681

Trudie,

Just wondering, did deconstruction help your pain? I hope so.