Still Uncomfortable with Implants

1openheart

Lindsey....you should be able to find a PT trained in myofascial release therapy in a city as large as LA without much problem.  Check out this website and click on the "find a therapist" link.  Your insurance should cover this.  In Texas, you need a prescription to see a PT.  Don't know about CA.

http://www.myofascialrelease.com

This kind of work has helped me immensely, not only with my breast pain and cording, but with all manner of body pain over the years.  Good luck! 

LittleLisaB

These post have really scared me.  I did my exchange 2 weeks ago and feel awful.  Everyone keeps telling me give it time. 

Anonymous

LittleLisa- Don't let us scare you. There are more women who end up being perfectly happy with their implants. Usually at that point they stop posting on BCO. 2 weeks is very early to tell and you just had another surgery so it's normal to feel awful. It takes several months for the implants to settle and soften so give it some time. If you're still having issues the first thing I would try is some PT. the pec muscles can get really tight after exchange. Hope everything turns out for you.

Starfyre

Kate and Amac645, thank you so much for you information and good thoughts.  Wow, this site is like a lifeline.  This was my first experience posting to a forum  I was feeling so lost before.  I don't feel so alone anymore.  Thanks.   

Kate, I will check out those PS.  It is so nice to have something to start with instead of blindly doing internet searches.  

Thank You!!!! 

habbott

Hi Little Lisa

Hang in there.  At first I was terrified of the thought of going back to work (teacher) or doiing anything much as they felt so wierd.  Now nearly 12 months later I am happy with the result.  They still feel tight and laying on my side is not always comfortable.  They will never be soft like the originals but the result looks great in lingerie and swimwear and I do not have any pain that others have expereinced.  Swimming breast stroke is probably the strangest thing as the implant is under the pec muscle.  Very wierd feeling.  Helen

Anonymous

Jannelle- I had never posted in a forum prior to BCO, either, and know it can be kind of overwhelming trying to figure everything out.  Just learning all the jargon takes awhile!  Here's a link that the Moderators put together to help with all the abbreviations-

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic/773727?page=1#idx_1 

If you're still trying to figure out what type of recon is best for you there's some good info at-

http://www.breastcenter.com/ 

http://breastrecon.com/ 

Once you figure out what type of reconstruction you're interested in I would ask your breast surgeon (the one doing the mastectomy) for a referral.  The breast surgeon (BS) and the plastic surgeon (PS) work hand in hand since the reconstruction is usually started or completed the same time as the mastectomy.  Unfortunately, there are pros and cons to every recon choice so you just need to figure out which one you're most comfortable with.  Let me know if I can help in any way.   

LittleLisaB

Thanks Kate33.  I have spent most of the time beating myself up.  I too had no idea how involved this whole thing was.  I am tiny and certainly could have lived happily w/o fake breasts if it meant comfort.  This has taken such a toll on me already. 

Anonymous

LittleLisaB- I think most of us were unprepared for the time, energy, expense and complications involved with reconstruction.  I feel it is really downplayed by our surgeons.  And we are trying to make all these decisions at a time we are the most vulnerable- right after dx.  For a lot of us the recon choices have more of a lasting effect than the cancer did and our doctors need to realize that and better inform us.  I think I would have opted out, also, if I had known what I was facing or I'd at least have made different choices.

PinkHeart

Kate,

Your reply to LittleLisa is so spot on and eloquently written. 

Can you please go with me to my next PS appointment?  

eulabt

Hi everyone, I have a question. I have small implants and have had them for a year. I have found that I need to wear a bra 24/7. If I don't wear a sports bra at night, my chest(implants) feel heavy. Does anyone else else experience this? I have debated just not wearing a bra at night and see what happends, but then I chicken out and put one on.

EileenKaye1

I feel much more comfortable without a bra.  Eileen

janhart

I also have small implants since January and feel the same as eulabt. If I don't wear a stretchy bra at night, I feel worse in the morning. My last visit at my PS, I told him how much pain and discomfort I was feeling. He told me to take advil or Tylenol and give it more time. I feel he just dismissed me. I have appt with BS next week and am hoping for some answers there. Has anyone tried acupuncture?

Ginger48

Janhart- I do accupuncture every other week; I feel great afterwards!

tnbcRuth

Kate,

I have always loved that quote!!  Heard it for the first time on here and while I think it's hilarious, my 'other' friends just don't seem to get it...

HATE MY FOOBS !!!!!!!!!!!  I've had them for 1 1/2 yrs and dislike them as much as I did the first month.  They are a cup size too large and I feel like they are monsters attached to my chest.  I've had a couple of hard lumps at the outside corner of the Rfoob for about a year...they haven't grown but are increasingly tender.  If I try to massage the 'scar tissue', it hurts more.  My LE specialist worked on breaking them up for 3 months, but to no avail.                         I can't take a nice deep breath and they are so freakin heavy !!!  I can lie on my stomach but its not comfortable.  Problem is, my ps did a perfect job and aside from having no nips (who cares), they are perfect.  Looking back, when I realized they were bigger than I requested, I would/should have asked for them to be taken out right then and there and replaced with the right size.  If you are in that position, do something!!  They weren't swollen, just high on my chest.  They never dropped to look like real breasts...just 2 huge hamburger buns stuck to my chest.  Hope this helps someone seeking information.  

Hugs to old friends here... 

PinkHeart

tnbcRuth~

Thanks for posting.  I totally agree with you on the hamburger bun analogy.  Mine, too, only my right breast was radiated after the damn direct implant was put in so now it's a grilled hamburger bun.

I've seen the hamburger bun look in several before and after pictures on surgeons web sites.  BC sisters new to BC and recon decision making, speak up about this with PS to see what they say or how to prevent it.

My guess is that the silicone implants look more like this, and it also could be the individual anatomy of the patient's chest/rib cage??? 

Fat grafting may help, too.

Anonymous

OK, somehow with the new BCO format this got dropped from my "Favorite Topics" so missed some postings!

Pinkheart- I'd be happy to go with you to your PS's appointment!  Any chance you live in Phoenix?   I'm in the mood, lately, to kick some PS a$$.

eulabt- I'm a year out from revision and just recently stopped wearing a bra at night.  Was just dx with LE so it's the lesser of evils as I felt like it was making the LE worse.  Not sure why some of us are so uncomfortable without one and others do great.  It's not just size because I'm not that big but it definitely feels better in a bra.

tnbcRuth- What ticks me off the most is I hear over and over again that women feel they are too large afterwards.  (I wanted a C- ended up a D before revision).  How does this happen?  Are PS's just so programmed that any woman who comes in needing breast work must automatically want to be bigger?  Or do we perceive it as being too big because they are so heavy and no one warned us about this?  I noticed you said "they are perfect" but I think this is more about how they look and less about how they feel.  

I think PS's need to realize they have to do both- make us look good and feel good.  And we shouldn't be made to feel that we are being difficult because we want both.  Or that because we're cancer free we shouldn't expect the same level of satisfaction of an augmentation patient.  When I complained to my first PS about my discomfort and all the rippling I had her answer was I shouldn't complain and that she could show me photos of other women who were much worse off.  WTH?  Needless to say, that was my last appointment with her.  I think we need to demand more answers on why so many of us are so uncomfortable.  I have to say the thought of feeling like this the rest of my life can be pretty depressing. 

Anonymous

I wonder if platelet rich plasma would be beneficial with healing the pectoral muscle?

Blessings2011

lizdehart - SO ironic you should mention PRP!!!!!

Right before my BMX last December, I had a dental implant. My dentist was so proud of the fact that he was one of the few in our area to have purchased the expensive centrifuge for obtaining PRP for dental use. (The regular centrifuge does not work for this.)

Prior to implanting the device in my jawbone, he took a blood sample, extracted the platelet rich plasma, and injected it into the hole. Within 24 hours you could see the healing had started....there was no redness, no swelling, and I never had one complication.

He offered to make up a batch for my PS to use during my BMX/TE surgery, but the PS said that was not necessary, and that he'd not heard of it being used for reconstructive surgery.

(I had done some research - the only mention I found of PRP being used in breast surgery was with augmentation.)

But I am a big believer in PRP - and, apparently, so are many ortho surgeons across the country these days!

Anonymous

Prp is somewhat controversial like fat grafting. It is too bad because both yield great results.

LinSea

Kriserts and Dancetrance - thank you for your comments. I agree $350 was way to much to pay. I've found a fabulous PT close to LAX. She works mainly with breast reconstruction patients and does mayofascial release, lymph massage and is working on the frozen shoulder. Wow! She is doing it all. I've had two sessions and the swelling seems to be going down! The shoulder exercises hurt like $&@$, but she says there is no reason I can't regain movement. Okay honestly I feel beat up afterwards, so I've been going to a massage school also once a week to get work the muscles in my back, neck, and shoulders. She went light this week because our "get through the BMX, revision, exchange surgery" reward trip is here! We leave for two weeks to the Big Island of Hawaii on Sat morning. Maybe snorkeling and a Mai Tai will free up my shoulder.



Jannelle - I am sorry to hear of another hurdle for you. My breast surgeon is fabulous. Dr. Helen Mabry is part of Breastlink and works in Torrance and Orange. My Second PS is Dr. Cha-Chi Kao who is exceptional. He is in Santa Monica. He does a lot of FG also. Prior to the BMX we also consulted with a Dr. Jay Granzow in Torrance who does the DIEP. I mention this only because the PT I am going to says she sees everyone's work and Granzow is excellent. I just couldn't have the DIEP because of a clotting disorder. Granzow does the FG too,



I wouldn't say I am unhappy with the implants, they are 475ccs and I am 5'8" 150 lbs, but I am still trying to figure out why I have swelling and pain six months out from the exchange. It might be coming fr the adhesions and shoulder. The implants do look good, so I am giving it more time to see if PT can help these other issues. My best to you!







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Hindsfeet

My implant is a size bigger than I like. My plastic surgeon wants to do a little fat grafting around the edges. He wants to put an implant in the good breast to make the breast match. My question is can I have mammograms on the good breast if I have an implant in it?

I' hate to ask my plastic surgeon to take out the implant and go through it all over. I don't want to make him mad. I wished he had put in a simple size B or even an A with fat grafting. I wished I had it all in writing before surgery to what I wanted.

Erika8

surgery May 23 still sore Implant put in and reduction on other side

dancetrancer

Lindsey - YAYYYY!!!  So glad you found someone who does it all!  Your PT sounds great!  Best wishes to you!  Oh, and jealous about the Hawaii trip - such a magical place!!!   Have a mai tai for me!!! 

Anonymous

evebarry- Please don't worry about making your PS mad.  That's the last thing you should be concerned with.  It's your body and you have to live with it so you should have the results that are the most comfortable for you.  Many women end up having revisions to their recon for one reason or another (usually because our surgeons end up making us too dang big).  If you're uncomfortable asking your current PS to change things maybe a consult with a new PS to see what they recommend?  And, yes, you can have a mammo on your good breast with an implant in it.  There are millions of women who have done augmentation and that do it every day.  I think it was trickier with saline implants but silicone is very cohesive and doesn't pose a problem.

I'm starting to have worse and worse pain with my implants.  Not sure if it's my imagination but they seem firmer to me and am concerned I may be developing CC again.  The thought of another surgery seems so daunting right now but can't imagine feeling this way forever.  Just really want these things out of me, though. 

lalove55

Kate - You have totally expressed how I feel.  My implant and moved lat muscle seem to be causing me more misery than a year ago.  I too have dreaded the thought of another surgery, but I also can't imagine living with this the rest of my life.  I have been pretty depressed about it.  As I learn about the fat-grafting, I'm starting to see that there might be hope for getting the implant out, getting that pec muscle put back where it belongs, and having my own fat replace that implant without having a 10" incision across my belly!  And then to learn there is a doctor in driving distance for me (in Utah) who does this fat grafting - I'm just feeling like there may be hope for me afterall!  I sure hope you can get some relief, cause it really interferes with life, doesn't it?  Good luck to you 

Anonymous

Haven't visited this thread in so long, it will take a while to catch up. With the new format, I had to go through and mark my favorites again. Kate, I'm sorry you are having more pain with the implants and they feel firmer. I miss my breasts, sometimes still miss my implants, but I sure don't miss the pain. Having my pecs function more normally again feels good. Contemplating surgery is no fun, especially when it means another phase of healing and not knowing what the next "new normal" would be. I do remember when my truncal LE was at its worst, my implants really killed me. More pressure because of the fluid. However, I definitely could tell the difference between the LE and implant/CC pain. The CC made them feel like they were super glued to my muscles and chest. I felt like I was held hostage and wanted to rip those mothers out!! I don't know anything about the FG but I hope it is a viable solution for those who want to avoid the autologous tissue transfer surgeries.

Faithroad

Hello Tina,

I haven't been here in many months but I remember you well.  (My name was Faithroad back then.  I changed it just today on this visit. *smile*)

I hope you are well, my friend. 

I had my implants taken out last July 2011. That was one of the best decisions I've made throughout this whole process.  (Your input was very helpful to me.) I had some scar revision surgery this week and it doesn't seem like it was really worth a whole surgery.  Not much of an improvement.  Whatever.  It's not pretty but I "feel" much better now than I did with those crazy implants.

All my best to the rest of the gals here. 

Health and blessings to you all.

Anonymous

Mishelly/Faith - How nice to hear from you. I have often wondered how you have been. So glad you still feel you made the right decision. Did you do scar revision to help tidy things, or was it for greater comfort with prosthetics? I appreciate your insight on the experience. I hope all heals well and you are quickly back in the groove. Yes, feeling better is key! Hugs to you.

Anonymous

Tina- I've seen a few different posts from women saying their LE disappeared when they had their implants removed. I was just wondering if you've seen any improvement in yours? If I thought there might be a chance to improve mine it might push me to do something about these God awful implants. They have felt like they're more adhered to my chest and I have mild truncal LE so just uncomfortable in that whole area.



Lalove- Sorry you're having similar issues. I think fat grafting is definitely the way to go. I had one round and the plan was to do 2 more and have the implants removed. Pretty sure my PS is the one who caused my LE, though, so not sure who to go to if I manage to get psyched up to do another surgery. That's great you have someone nearby. Hope it works out for you.

Anonymous

Kate, I would say my truncal LE has improved a bit since deconstructing. I believe there are several factors at play. Main reason is because without implants it has been easier to find tanks that fit better, don't cut/pull as much in armpit or back, and provide more uniform compression. Implants always hurt from being squished with compression. Nothing with cups or room fit well in underarm or back area. No implants also allow me to do MLD more effectively. Touching the swelling on the side of the chest used to give me the "willies". Don't know how to explain, but it felt weird. Without implants I have regained almost full sensation everywhere, even on incision line. No "willies" anymore. Who would think an implant would change the sensation on the side of your chest?! And why can I now feel skin and muscle on front of me? Finally, I think eliminating the pain decreased the inflammation response, which allowed the swelling to calm down. Unfortunately, my arm didn't get the message soon enough! I think that's finally calming, too, after wrapping and wearing the night vest, custom sleeve and glove. I also think that the removal of scar tissue/capsule allowed space for lymphatic flow. The implants took up a lot of space as well, which I think restricted flow. I don't know, I have no evidence of these things making a difference in my truncal LE, just my own sense of things.