Visible ripples in implants

leeinfl

Kate - Good thoughts!

Anonymous

Lee- I saw your photos on the pic forum but couldn't access them on the fatgraftpatients website.  It said I wasn't authorized.  I sent a PM to Alexandra to see if the photo section of the site was still down or if I needed to get some kind of authorization.

leeinfl

Kate - I just posted the post-op photos from the first surgery with Dr. K on the picture forum.  I think you can tell that they look a bit lumpy and swollen from the surgery.  So now you can compare them to my "final" product.  Hope that helps. :-)

PS - Not sure why you can't see the photos on the fatgraftpatients site, I'm sure Alexandra will help you get there.  

Anonymous

Hi Lee!  Just checked out your photos and the swelling you had on the side looks exactly what I have right now.  So, again, you've reassured me that all is well!  LOL!

leeinfl

Kate -

deekaay

Hey Kate, thinking of you...how you doing?  Hope your healing and pain level are better each day.

Anonymous

Hi deekaay!  Everything's getting better and better.  The bruising is completely gone though I'm still a little tender at the lipo spots.  Nothing too bad, though.  Actually, what bothers me the most are the new incisions under the arms.  Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good!  I've started working out, again (lower body only right now) and my energy levels are feeling better.  And I got a flatter tummy out of the deal!  I am so glad I went through with this revision!

leeinfl

I'm so happy for you Kate!  Hugs!

mtks

Hi Kate!!

 Always glad to read a update about you!

Exactly how long has it been from your surgery? 2 1/2 weeks?

Glad the bruising is gone and you are feeling good!!

I am hoping I get a flat stomach out of this also. I hope it lipos out smoothly. Leaving smooth tummy!

I'm a little anxious knowing it won't be done Dr. K way but hopefully it will turn out with great results. I really need this to work for me. I'm still thinking if I would of received a bigger implant the flat area would of taken care of itself. I am hoping my ps can FG on the upper pole as well, while he takes care of the flat area in the cleavage area. I'm sure it might make a little diff. in size but not too much, right? I wonder if these flat areas happen alot?

Anonymous

mtks- My surgery was the 13th so I guess it'll be 3 weeks this Friday.  The lipo on my stomach looks pretty smooth though I can feel some ridges under the skin.  The skin is very tight, though.  I hope your PS can help you, too.  I would definitely ask about FG on the upper pole as I think this is the area that benefits the most.  The slope and cleavage area look so much more natural now- like real breast tissue!

deekaay

Excellent news, Kate.  Glad you are glad that you did it.  Is the breast area pain that was with you for so long gone now?  That would be the best gift!

Anonymous

deekaay- I'm feeling some discomfort but I really think it's radiating from the incisions in the armpits.  Before it felt like the implants were being squeezed all the time (maybe the pec muscles?) and now that is gone.  Maybe because they're stretched over much smaller implants?  I think once the incisions heal I will be pain free!  

deekaay

That's great, Kate.  Keep healing.

EileenKaye1

To Kate33:

Sounds great.  I could tell immediately that my implant was tight and painful.

I had requested a smaller implant--but my PS said it would not make a difference.

I definitely do not agree.

Small implants, or full fat grafting should be the way to go.Glad it is working for you.

Eileen

Anonymous

Eileen- Thanks! I think the smaller implant is making it feel better and the fat grafting is making it look better. I think if I'd had one but not the other I would've still been unhappy. So far Dr K has fixed about 80% of the things that were bothering me with one procedure!

EileenKaye1

Thanks so much for all of the information.  Glad it worked for you.

I am still waiting for someone in New York, New York--for pre and post-opt convenience.

You are definitely helping a lot of us--to have hope for our future prospects.

Again--congrad's--and thanks for everything.

Keep us posted. Eileen

Anonymous

I just posted new photos, after my revision and fat grafting, on the picture forum if anyone is interested.  I have the same screen name on there and the name of the thread is "NSM 3/10- Updated Revision 6/11 Implants/Fat Graft".  If you don't yet have access to the picture forum (which is a completely separate site) you need to PM one of the "gatekeepers".  They are MBJ, whippetmom, Lilah, Estepp or Timtam.

mtks

Hi Kate- I would love to see your pics!!!!!!!!!

I am not part of the picture forum- I don't know why I have reservations.??

I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!

leeinfl

Hi Kate - YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!  So happy for you! 

takeadeepbreath

ok--finally read all 19 pages! Rippling does seem to be an issue with the NSM...wonder if  they core out more, leaving more loose skin? So-- other than fat grafting--what are the options? I love the size and they look great when I stand shoulders totally back/in a bra/ in clothing so I am hesitant to start thinking about fat grafting on just the one side...I just want a bit of skin tightened if that makes sense...if i pinch the skin right on the upper/outside towards my arm pit, everything tightens up and the ripples go away. Is there a way to do that sugically? (Or, maybe I will just use a binder clip and clip the skin back!) Also--is this worth calling the PS to discuss?--my next appt is 5 weeks away. I know there is nothing he can do at this point but not sure whther I should let him know. Out of a bra, shoulders hunched it is really noticable.

Thanks for the continuing education!

-Ilene

sweetie2040

Takeadeepbreath-I have the same problem as you and had a NSM. I think those who don't have the NSM the dr can pull in more skin when he does the exchange. I remember going with friend to her appt (she didn't have NSM) and her Dr said he was going to take in areas where the skin was loose. With the NSM it seems to be more of a complete pocket and if you start adjusting it the nipple will change postion and it may not look right. I know my Dr said he could do a lift from the inside on the bottom and that would pull them up some. I'd ask your PS and see what options he has. Right now my ripples are soooo bad I think my only option is FG which my Dr doesn't do. Headed toward the Dr. K option next.

takeadeepbreath

I've never been more motivated to have good posture...if my mother only said, "stand up staright or your boobs will cave in" I think it would have been very compelling.I think I will call the  PA in my Drs office today and just sound the Chicken Little alarm that  "my boobs are falling, my boobs are falling!" 

takeadeepbreath

spoke to PA who said as capsule forms around implant the rippling should get better. Hmmm. I refrained from saying "thats not why BC.org pals are saying" sista!

I guess I will wait til july 17th ( with shoulders back and head high!)

TinaT

sweetie2040:  My PS spoke briefly about this and it makes sense.  Since one of the goals is to keep the nipple positioned as it was before it's more difficult to nip and tuck, do lifts, etc. without changing the nipple's position.

takeadeepbreath

can alloderm be inserted/added to build in another layer to help cover implants, or is this problematic/complicated once implants are in? I don't think I had alloderm used...

Anonymous

takeadeepbreath- My original PS used Alloderm when she placed the TE's and lots more at exchange.  It didn't seem to make much of a difference.  I still had lots of rippling.  Maybe it would have been worse without it, though.  From what I've heard there's actually less risk with fat grafting since it's your own fat vs donor tissue.  

I never really thought about the NS/rippling correlation but it makes sense.  It may be one downside but still worth it! 

sweetie2040

takeadeepbreath-I wish the ripples got better as the capsule formed but I found the opposite to be true. As soon as the wrapping was off after the surgery I saw slight rippling and it has gotten progressively worse since. It does look better with shoulders back, but when just standing normal very evident. By the way the friend I mentioned who had a lot of skin pulled in had a great result right after her surgery. It is now six months later and she said she has a ton of rippling too. Different Dr than me, different procedure, still rippling.

I have alloderm that was placed at the time of surgery. I asked him about placing more and he said it wouldn't really be needed or help much. He also said it is difficult to put alloderm over alloderm. I did do some research though and read that alloderm CAN be used to help treat severe ripples. It's just strange I read all this stuff and then when you see the Dr it seems he doesn't agree or think that would help.

Tina-I think my Dr mentioned it too. Make sure you ask you Dr about rippling and how to best avoid that since you haven't got to your exchange yet. It may have a lot to do with skin quality. I noticed at my last fill I was seeing rippling with the TE and mentioned it to him. He simply said oh, you may have a little. I think he underestimated what a little is!

TinaT

I did start to notice rippling on one side about 4 days ago.  However, my TEs are only 2/3 full so I chalked it up to that.  I have been asking about rippling and will continue to do so.

Thanks!

tembo

This is my first post and if it's already been discussed sorry for the repeat. I had bil mastectomies in January and went through expanders without any problems and no ripples. I had my exchange 4 weeks ago and 2 weeks post op developed a significant ripple on my inner left side. I didn't know that's what it was until my PS told me. (no warning from him preop) So my question is - in everyone's experience do they tend to show up within a certain time frame post op? Do they ever improve and if they're going to get worse does that usually happen within a certain time frame?  I'm surprised and a little disappointed. Can't believe I didn't know.

You ladies are great! 

Anonymous

Tempo- Don't feel bad about not knowing. I don't think any of us were warned about this. They seem to develop within the first 2 months as the implants settle. I hate to say it but I don't think I've heard of anyone's getting better over time. It's usually those of us who have thin skin. Implants were never designed to be used for recon. If you hold one up by your fingertips you can see the ridges running down the sides of it. That is what you're seeing under your skin. Most of us can make them go away in the right bra but who wants to live in a bra 24/7? A lot of PS's though seem to think this is good enough. I disagree. I told my last PS I didnt want to look good for someone who has had a MX. I just wanted to look good. I fired her and found a new PS who fixed everything with fat grafting. The rippling has completely disappeared with just one procedure with his technique.