Visible ripples in implants
Comments
-
soccermomofthree....I am 7 weeks out from implant surgery and I have the same problem...one is bigger and lower than the other! How does that happen when its the same cc's in both? Just when we think or hope we are done...I agree, I am so disappointed and don't really want (and can't really affrord) more surgery. Arrrgggghhhhh! I hate this! Dawn
-
Soccermom-I understand exactly how you feel about not wanting to think about all of this anymore. It seemed it consumed most of last year and I am hoping to get back to some sort of normalcy this year. Kate gave you good information about the bras. I found a good underwire by Vera Wang at Kohls. It was like $20 and you can buy it online too. Kate found some nice ones at Target too if I recall.
DMD- when I first took off my wrap after the exchange I saw the ripples right away. They seemed to get progressively a little worse, but not a whole lot. I might have had some swelling in the beginning so they didn't show up as much. My Dr said at about 4 months out they should be settled enough to know exactly how they will look, although Kate is right it can take longer. I don't think mine will get better in any respect, but wearing the bra does help.
Kate33-we had snow again this morning and a 2 hour delay for school for the kids. My husband is home recovering from foot surgery and I made him drive! I'm not risking that darn black ice, it's a nightmare! Oh the gaining weight theory. I'd say that doesn't work. I went from 123 to 139 and the weight is everywhere except the boobs. You'd think with 16 pounds some would go to the boobs, Nope, it's all butt and thighs!
-
Kate33: Initially Dr. K was just going to do fat grafting into the indentation, but at the pre-op appointment we talked and he just felt I would have a better outcome with a total "do over". Not sure why he didn't go the Brava route with me - good question and I'll ask him when I see him in a couple of weeks. Maybe because the pocket was so big at that point (after TEs and implants?) I want to ask him anyway what the game plan will be when ... one day....the implant fails. Remember....we're all told they are not permanent.
As far as feeling - I'm getting quite a bit back in the upper pole and the whole cleavage area. I'm not very optimistic about the lower part of both breasts because of the alloderm that the first PS used and then the repeated surgeries. I'm getting my tattoos on Thursday - I guess I'll REALLY know if there is any sensation there! LOL
-
leeinfl:
Ask if you can rub in lidocaine before you have the tattoos done.
-
Kate-What happens when you drop? How does it change? Thank you for your support!!!
Dawn-sorry you too. I also have one lower than other. My less projecting side is lower. Did you have a nipple sparing MX? I did and I wonder if this causes any problems...I know I almost want to just say no to more surgery but then I want to just say no to ripples and uneven boobs too!
Sweetie-we do have a Kohls and Target. So under wire is the way to go for ripples? and demi? Man oh man how did I give up sagging for ripples....uggg. Always something I am thinking about now... Thank you gals!!!
-
Sweetie2040 - thanks for the info on the timing for ripples. I am sure your right, once the swelling is all gone and several months have passed I will know for sure how they will look for the long term.
Soccermomofthree - I did not have nipple sparing MX. My lower and also bigger one is on my cancer side and I wonder if that has anything to do with it. More aggressive removal of tissue, more scar tissue, more fluid retention due to lymph nodes removed on that side??? Who knows.
-
leeinfl- I will be curious what Dr. Khouri says about not using Brava. Thanks for the info. Everything is kind of on hold for me right now. I just made it through the first interview for a job. The second interview is the 24th and if I get it there will be 6 weeks of training and then no vacation time in sight for awhile. If nothing else, I think I'll definitely try to do what you do, or total fat grafting, when it's time to exchange the implants if not sooner. (At the rate I'm going, lately, Dr. Khouri should have plenty to work with! LOL!)
soccermom- A lot of women right after exchange say their breasts kind of look like squashed hamburger buns! LOL! As they settle they seem to fill out more and the slope appears more natural. Also, the implants themselves soften up quite a bit (at least with silicone). Most PS's will have you massage your breasts several times a day to speed up the softening unless they used Alloderm. Massaging can interfere with the integration of the Alloderm into your own tissue so they usually advise waiting 6-9 months before massaging which is what I did. When I did start massaging, though, it made a huge difference in how soft they felt.
For those of you with unevenness, another cause could be if your surgeon used Alloderm to create a sling for the implants. There's really no exact science on how well the Alloderm is going to integrate so if one side holds better than the other it's going to hold the implant in place differently. It may be a simple procedure in going in and tightening up one side or the other. Even if no Alloderm was used they can probably still adjust this. I would definitely ask your PS about this if you're unhappy. It may be a simple procedure.
-
Kate-yes I do have hamburger bun syndrome
You hit it right on. I am so happy to hear that a slope forms!!! I do have alloderm. So I guess no massage and maybe why uneven. I heard that to lift a breast is harder than lowering...have you ever heard which is easier? I read you need an exchange...may I ask why...How long have you had your implants? Where you happy at first? Thank you sweet Kate! -
soccermom- I haven't heard which is easier. It probably depends on the method your PS used to secure the implants. I was considering a revision based on the rippling issues. I am also having some pain with the implants. I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done about either one. The pain could be stemming from my fibromyalgia so wouldn't be able to be resolved. I am intrigued by Dr. Khouri, at the Miami Breast Center, who is creating breasts purely from fat grafting- no implants. This may be a possibility down the road. I told myself I was going to wait until at least the spring since I wasn't ready for surgery #5. It will all depend on whether or not I get a job soon. I've had my implants since the end of June and I have to say, honestly, I don't really care for them. I think I look o.k. I just don't like how they feel. But like I said, I have auto immune issues so a lot could be stemming from that so don't think you will have the same thing.
-
Kate I like the fat breasts! Surgery #5 bless your heart. I am sorry you are dealing with the fibromyalgia on top of all the rest. I bet your body just doesn't really like something foreign in it with the immune issues. I wonder if time will ease that. I really hope so. Oh and a maybe new job soon...you have a full plate. Where your surgeries lumpectomies and biopsies? Would this be your first revision? With my TE I felt like there was gravel between my ribs and the TE. I am hoping that doesn't come back. I do feel like I have something inside my breast for sure it's not like they are my own yet...don't know if ever...take care, Tonya
-
Soccermom:
Will be anxious to hear what your Dr. has to say Friday. Add a little more saline. Cut away some excess skin. Total revision. Someone mentioned cutting a nerve to stop or minimize the muscle movement. I think I heard that they are using botox to stop or lessen that movement. You might want to ask about that.
-
soccermom- Surgery #1 was to remove what they thought was "pre-cancer", surgery #2 was the NSM, surgery #3 was placing the TE's (my PS liked to do that a week after the MX. She said she got better results. In retrospect, I would have said no.) and surgery #4 was the exchange surgery. 3 out of 4 were supposed to be out patient but had severe chest pains with the TE placement and the hospital over dosed me at exchange (long story) so I ended up overnight for those, too. After that I said enough is enough for awhile.
SeaFoobs- I know they are using Botox to numb the pec muscle while you have your TE's in but I hadn't heard they were using it after exchange, too. Interesting! Might have to check into that!
-
SeaFoobs-I will let you know. I am interested...I do not have pain in my implant so far so I feel very thankful.
Kate-Interesting about waiting for placement of TE. You said you wouldn't do that again though. Was it just too much messing around with the body? I had nipple sparing too. Had TEs placed at that time. Sometimes I wonder if I should have done them separate...you have had quite a ride my dear. I hope this next time is not such an ordeal. Really great when the hospital tries to take you out...
-
soccermom- I had to drive 2 hours to find a surgeon who did NSM who was in network for me. So it was just hard to drive that long a week after my NSM to have another surgery to have the TE's placed. She gave me the option to do it all at the same time but she said the results would be better, and there was a greater chance to save the nipples, if I did the surgeries separately. But I don't think it would have made any difference and I'm the only one I've heard of that had it done that way. Your comment about the hospital trying to take me out was too funny! Yeah, they overdosed me on Dilaudid (maybe it was somebody's first day?) and I stopped breathing about 10 times. Never even got a "We're sorry" from the hospital! Oh well, it'll take more than that to kill me off!
-
Kate-You are a strong one!!! The risk of nipple loss was kinda nerve racking for sure. I am glad that is all over for you. I didn't even drive for like a month after my first surgery! Is your exchange two hours away also? Did you hear about your job interview? Was your doctor mortified about the overdose? For the love of pete stay away from that hospital lol.
-
soccermom- My husband did all the driving but 3 out of 4 surgeries were at the hospital 2 hours away. And all BS/PS appointments were down there, too. We were driving down every other week, too, for the fills until my PS took pity on us and showed my husband how to do them which was great. My job interview isn't until the 24th of this month.
The overdose happened in recovery after my PS had gone home. They gave me pain meds when I woke up after the exchange and just gave me way too much. They ended up admitting me for the night because I had to be monitored until it was all out of my system. Fun times! The funny thing is the hospital is the same one getting rave reviews because it is the one that treated the shooting victims in Tucson. It's actually a really good hospital- University Medical Center in Tucson. I just think someone screwed up.
-
Kate-Well we are all human and make mistakes...they could have said sorry though...:) Is that where you need to go for a revision?
SeaFoobs-I saw my PS today. He sees the difference in my breasts. One is off to the side more. This is giving me the one bigger than other look. He would have to go in and do pocket work to fix it. Otherwise I can wear a supportive bra, sort of push up type, to bring the right breast in some...Right now he just wants me to heal. I feel thankful...things could be so much worse. I go back in two weeks. I think he would fix it if I want but to be honest I don't know if I care that much to have another surgery at this point in time. In clothes they look pretty even. Its the without that I have problems
-
soccermom:
The in clothes thing is fine with me. Even had a friend of hubby's who is a boob man, say "they look great!" Mine actually look good naked until I do something that requires my pec muscles. Then the left one collapses.
If you and I switched out, we'd have one great set and one bad set. With a bad set the decision to do something would be easy to make.
-
SeaFoobs-lol you are right! At least we would know exactly what to do! The way we have it makes the decision a hard one to make...but there really is no hurry to make it. Thats a good thing for me
-
Happy Valentines day ladies! Wishing everyone big hugs and lots of love. Today let's think about chocolate instead of ripples!!
-
Hi Ladies-how are you all doing? Haven't heard from anyone in a while.
Soccermom and Seafoobs- I feel the same about looking good in clothes. I see my PS next and we go over the whole revision thing and if it is worth it for me or not.
Orchidgal-your having your revision this week, correct? Thinking of you and sending prayers your way. Let us know how you do.
-
Hi sweetie- I'm still on the fence about a revision as well. Am actually contemplating going to Dr. Khouri in Florida. A member on here had her implants swapped out for smaller ones and then he did a lot of fat grafting over the top. She said it's made such a difference in the way they feel and look. She's even gotten some sensation back. I saw her photos and she looks amazing. I have to call his office today and tell them if I want a consult or not.
-
Hello sweetie I see my PS tomorrow I know he is willing to do a revision I don't know what I would want though. He spoke of different options maybe tomorrow I can ask what those are.
Kate I am wondering it you could PM me on who in the picture forum did the fat grafting. My PS is willing to do that for me but I don't want to have to do it more than once and I don't like how there could be hard lumps in my breast after that procedure. How would I not worry about what that was?
-
Make room for me on the fence. I have a date end of April for another round of fat grafting, but I don't know if I'll keep it. I have a small lump from the last round and if it goes away I might do it again, if not, I'll probably wait. As soccormom said, it's hard not to worry about it even though I knew it was a possibility.
Kate,I wonder what happens w/ Dr. Khouri's method with regard to fat cells dying after putting a lot of fat back in the breast? Do some of them die off and if so is there a risk of lumps with his procedure?
-
deekaay- Not sure about the risk of lumps. I do know he uses a different method than most that supposedly ensures more fat "takes". For pure fat grafting (no implants) you have to wear the BRAVA system which I hear is a PITA. There is another site for more info on fat grafting. Go to fatgraftingpatients.com. (I think that's what it's called.) Dr. Khouri charges $150 for a consult. Prior to surgery you have to have blood tests, chest xray and EKG as well as clearance from your GP or BS. If anyone wants more info you can call them directly and they'll answer all your questions. Call Cindy at Dr. Khouri's office at 305-365-5595.
If you register on the fat graft patients site you can see the photos that have been posted. The results are really natural looking and NO RIPPLING! Just don't know if I have the stamina it would take to get through the whole process.
-
deekaay - I think I'm the one that Kate33 mentioned. Thanks for the compliment Kate! Just shows how skilled Dr. Khouri is.
Dr. Khouri does use a different method to harvest the fat cells and I can say I never saw any real loss - I know that's hard to believe. What might be even more important than the harvesting technique is how he injects the fat, droplets at a time, instead of a big "glob" in one place. All I can say is I'm very happy with what he has done. I don't have any lumps or hard spots.
The whole process is explained in great detail on his website - miamibreastcenter.com
Yes, it's a committment and I can relate to not wanting to go through yet another procedure, but if you decide to go for it, you will be in expert hands.
I guess I really should take the time and post my photos on this site as well....I'll try to do that in the next few days. In the mean time, I'll be happy to email them to anyone who PMs me.
-
soccermom - good luck tomorrow. Will be interesting to hear your options.
Sweetie - I thought you had already been back to your PS. When do you go.
There is a website that shows a large variety of sizes and shapes of real breasts. It really puts perspectus on how good or bad your implants may be.
-
Hello Seafoobs my app got changed to Friday...I will let you know
-
Yes, leeinfl was the one I was talking about! (Hi lee!) I think the thing I'm most excited about with Dr. Khouri's method is it not only looks better it feels better. Right now we kind of have the choice of silicone implants (feel kind of natural, may not look so good due to rippling), gummie implants (look pretty good but feel too firm), different flap procedures (looks pretty good, feels pretty good but you end up with a big old scar somewhere on your lower body). Seems Dr. Khouri is the first one to come up with something that looks good, feels good and no additional scars. Just wished I had started with him back in March when I first had the TE's placed. I would be done by now and I'm sure much happier. Just wish he had some "satellite" offices or some proteges out west. (Could you put a bug in his ear, lee?)
-
He's doing all he can Kate. He has workshops every month where he trains other surgeons in this procedure. I did my part a couple of weeks ago when I did a "show and tell" for several visiting surgeons. They were amazed and I'm glad I could show them the results after they had observed the actual grafting procedure the day before. If we could just clone him?......
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team