Still Uncomfortable with Implants

ronqt1

As of today, arm is still "sticky", and when I raise my arm, boob goes with it. Have no clue what is going on. Now he is sending me a cream, let's see what that does.

 And so it goes......

Hugs,

Anonymous

Ronna- I have the same thing and they told me it was scar tissue that had formed from nipple to arm pit. It tugs on the implant causing pain when I raise my arm. Is there some reason your doctor doesn't think it's the same?

ronqt1

Hi Kate, my doctor knows in fact there is scar tissue. He says I am a person who has severe scarring issues. He recommended to me that I go to the pain management dr. So I went and he injected me right into the scar tissue just around the implant. Well that was Monday and today Friday, nothing has changed. I am frantic, also still feel the bouncy ball (spaldine) that is just tugging and pulling, tingling etc and hurting.

As I had previously written he said to give it 3 months (and to enjoy the summer) from when I last saw him.  I had been buggin for a tram. He is not happy with my idea.. He is definitely against this idea b/c of my age and more scarring. I am 63. My scarring issues are severe. I have since changed my mind about tram but he does not it yet.

On the other hand, I said to the pain management dr. did he think I was crazy over all of this. He said definitely not. I did not feel the injections at all. Went right into the scar tissue area. More to come.

I have since changed my mind about tram, but I am beginning to think I cannot breathe properly that the scar tissue is traveling up my arm. It is out of control and I will not wait til end of summer. Oh I forgot, if this does not work, pain guy mentioned possible pheonal injection. No one should have to go through life with this experience.

Have you made any decisions. 

Again, thank you for "listening".

Anonymous

Ronna- So sorry to hear the injections haven't brought relief.  I know how disappointed you must be.  I hope with time you'll start to see some improvement.

I have yet to make a decision.  After getting LE from the last revision I'm having a hard time moving forward.  So afraid I'll mess things up even more.  If I were to do something I would either swap out the implants again for even smaller implants and do more fat grafting or remove them all together with more fat grafting.  I know I don't want any of the flap surgeries as I feel with my auto-immune issues/pain issues I might be asking for more trouble.  I was trying to find a PS who does the fat grafting in my area but haven't had any luck so far so I'd probably be looking at another surgery out of state and that can be somewhat overwhelming.  I'm still not working so it's hard to justify the expense of all that.  But, on the other hand, since I'm not working (and no prospects on the horizon) maybe now is the perfect time.  One thing that is pushing me is I feel that getting rid of the implants, and the pressure from them, may improve my LE especially the truncal.  So hard to know what to do, though, as I'm sure you know! 

ronqt1

Kate, we are in this deadful situation together. I went back to PS the other day (I wanted to wait until end of summer as he said but that did not last). Again, no definitive answers from him, will go back to Pain Management guy and/or go to the emergency room because this is actually ruining my quality of life. My PS however wants me to get a ct of chest/breast area with oral contrast. My hospital insists that they do not do it and his office can't understand that and are waiitng from a call back from Radiology to see what is the story. I told his office that I might consider going to NY. She said, no don't go. I am in Jersey. I really am ready for emergency room.

Kate, again I wish you the best and will post if anything occurs and read to see if you post anything.

THANKING YOU WITH HUGS AND ONLY GOOD THINGS FOR YOU.

Stanzie

Hi all, haven't been on this site in a while... Lalove- you said in an earlier post about getting the lap muscle put back where it belongs. Is this possible? I have never heard of that but boy I'd LOVE to do that.

Also hate HATE my ugly back scars - never knew there was such a thing as scar revision! 

I also have these weird dents in the top of my back - shoulder blades and then two more in lower back. Also No One ever told me that I would Lose all feeling in my back! I am so angry about that! I can never have a back massage again, I can't even scratch my back it is like scratching the bottom of your foot. 

Alone with that I have the huge pillows under my arms... Just hate HATE the implants, the reconstruction,the Arrogant Doctors. Also the weird awful contortions the fake breasts make, the ugly flat pale nipples and of course I too was made bigger than I asked for. I was between an A and B and he asked if I wanted to go bigger. I made the mistake of saying it would be nice to be able to wear a B and fill out both sides especially as one breast was smaller due to previous lumpectomies. Well I got C's !! No I never said that! And still one breast is smaller.... now if you remove everything and put in the same size implants then????? How is it that one side is still smaller. It isn't a huge difference but has always confused me..... I so think everyone needs to really needs to read this site and ask questions about all the types of recon before doing a thing! I so wish I had known a lot more... My surgery was almost a month later and everything went by so quickly I trusted the doctors actually had my best interest at heart! Wrong! 

bdavis

Ronna.. Didn't we talk at lunch about your going to New Orleans and having those implants removed??

Anonymous

@lalove55 - that is all Dr. F does, reconstruction. I asked about a little cosmetic something when I go in next and I was told that he only does recon.

ronqt1

Betsy, hi, hope all is well, yes we did, but I have not gotten there yet. I am back and forth, and going to Pain Management. My doctor does not believe that a tram is good for me due to severe scarring issues I have and he knows I will be crazy w/out a boob. I am in one merry go round with this. He has me on a muscle relaxer as he insists it is spasms.????? This thread seems to calm me down due to the understanding of everyone on this site that I am not alone. As much as I want a tram, I know there is truth in what PS is saying, I belong in keloid world. I have started more stretching and have joined a hot yoga group. Yes, I am nuts, but I am going to pitch in and do what I can to avoid going to other doctors. I guess a watch and wait.

Everyone have a safe 4th.

Hugs,

Betsy, hope to see you again.

ronqt1

Stanzie: You are not alone with one bigger than the other. I too have that problem. When I told PS about it when I last saw him on a list with a thousand other things, he said that one got smaller (implant), and we will have to make the other smaller. (one that was augmented). Just added to the list of my crazyiness. As much as I complain I have this "guilt" thing in my head, my PS is very well known with a fabulous reputation and with all the bitching, deep down I trust him, again, with all the bitching I do. I am too much fixated on this problem, but he wants me to wait until the end of summer. Maybe that is why all the doctors say "Stay off the Boards". 

When I state my quality of life is affected, it is because I don't have the energy to do things like I did before bc. However, I do force myself to exercise, ie., zumba, weights, now yoga. Anything to feel better.

Tomorrow is another day. -- It has to get better.

Erika8

Stanzie and ronqt1yes your are not alone my deduction side is much bigger then the implant and i am not happy it looks worse then when i wore my prostises dont no what to do

wishing everybody a good weekend 

Anonymous

Ronna- Sorry if we've talked about it before but have you considered removing the implants and then doing fat grafting?  I know there have been some good things posted about Dr. Christina Ahn in NY.  It wouldn't hurt to have a consult just to see what she says.  A word of warning I heard it takes forever to get in to see her but guess that means she's that good!

Stanzie- You said it- the ARROGANT doctors.  Wish we could start compiling a list of bad docs so everyone would stop going to them.  They'd probably sue us for defamation, though.   

LAS123

The uneveness in size could be slight scoliosis? Were your natural breasts a tad uneven in a similar way? I'm guessing from my own issues.

bdavis

Ronna... What I am suggesting is not a TRAM, but rather a DIEP or GAP flap... The doctors in NOLA (I used Dr DellaCroce) are fabulous and skilled at fixing problems from implants. Your doctor may not be familiar with the DIEP and what is possible, as many doctors up here don't do a lot of them or any of them. I suggest you post a question to Dr DellaCroce on his ASK THE DOCTOR forum

http://members.boardhost.com/plastic/

You can describe your problem and see what he has to say. Its free, so no harm in asking.

Also visit the NOLA IN SEPTEMBER thread and ask women there who have had implants removed and replaced with flaps... 

Anonymous

Ronna - I definitely had muscle spasms when I had my implants. They were quite painful. No more spasms now that they are gone.




Has your PS mentioned capsular contracture? It sure sounds like it if your implant capsule is adhered to your muscle and moves when you raise your arm. Mine did that as well. I had myofascial release therapy, which helped with some of the scarring, but I couldn't get ahead of it and it continued to progress.




I wouldn't consider TRAM because of the permanent damage to the abdominal muscle - regardless of whether you have a problem with scarring or not. What bdavis is suggesting are procedures that use fat and skin and no damage to muscle. The NOLA docs have high success rate for DIEP and GAP and have done many of these procedures. They definitely have success with undoing failed implant recons and then doing fat/tissue recon.




I did not go on to have further recon after removing my implants, but if I had, it would have been at NOLA or with Dr. Massey in Charleston. I had Dr. Massey remove my implants, and she repositioned and repaired muscle and tacked it back to chest so it functions normally again. I am 99% pain free after two years of chronic pain, and I do believe her skill was the reason. She also removed scar capsule, felt it was necessary for full recovery. I was concerned about new scarring from surgery, but with the implants and capsules gone, It was minimal. I did work on range of motion after giving the lymphatic area two weeks to heal. If you have a mastectomy with or without recon, stretching helps keep chest and shoulders from freezing up and becomes a way of life.

ronqt1

Again, thank you ladies, sorry for being a pain in the a  s with the whining. I value everything you have said.

Just have to push myself to make the move to call the NOLA people.

Anonymous

Ronna, you are not a pain, nor are you whining - I know your pain is real. It is a nightmare to live with and through. I just wanted to make sure you were clear about your choices, and the ones that would be least likely to create another nightmare.




These acronyms can be confusing, but once you know what they stand for it's easier to remember. Here:




GAP = Gluteal Artery Perferator (flap can be taken from upper/superior area or lower/inferior part of your butt)




DIEP = Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (flap is taken from lower abdomen - does not include use of any muscle)




By the way, if you are considering any of these surgeries, it is my understanding that you would have the best looking results as far as scars if implants are removed at same time DIEP or GAP is done (vs earlier in separate procedure, especially one that removes any extra skin). I am willing to bet your new incisions would look a whole lot better, too.

Anonymous

Ronna- You are definitely not a whiner.  As someone who suffers from endless, chronic pain (fibro) I understand how debilitating it is.  But to psyche yourself up for yet another surgery, especially one far from home, is so overwhelming.  Not to mention the recovery, time and expense we will put ourselves through.  I get angry that the choices we have at NOLA, and the wonderful way they treat their patients, are not available to every woman in every city.  It should be the standard of care and we shouldn't have to fly across the country to find someone who will address our pain, treat us compassionately and perform at a high skill level.  

Anonymous

Yes, Kate, I agree their standard of excellence should be the standard of care. So should their standard for proactive LE care pre/during/post surgery. They cover all the bases. It is unfortunate that none of these doctors work at a teaching hospital - but I understand their sense of wanting to operate in a center where their work is not compromised. At some point I wish a couple of them would do some travel to teach at various hospitals/breast centers to help others fine tune their skills. And help transform their understanding of LE and the need for proactive care. The LE part isn't even that difficult to recreate as far as standard of care, but I couldn't get a local surgeon/hospital to replicate. It was very frustrating.

Hindsfeet

July 31st I had my third reconstruction surgery. I fear that it's my last chance to get it right and if I don't, I'm stuck with what I have forever. The breast actually looks good. It's fallen a bit and is beginning to look normal, except it doesn't have a nipple. It's the nerve pain around the implant that is bothersome. I feel like it's way too tight, and uncomfortable. I am sooo glad I only got a unimx. I love my normal breast, although it's smaller. I don't have pain around it or notice it. It's just there, where the implant is always in pain. I ignore it most of the time. At times I want to rip it off me. I would be uncomfortable with nothing there. I just wish it was a size B and not a C. Actually a size C doesn't look that bad. I would had preferred a size B mostly due to comfort.

My ps is suppose to be one of the best around. I'm sure he is, but, I don't think he likes my imput. He just wants me to trust him to do what's best. Well, for me, the best would be to be painless. He just say stretch the muscles and massage it. He also says lotion on it will help. Nothing helps.

He plans to take half the nipple of the good breast and put it on the reconstructed breast. I'm not sure.

He also says fatgrafting around the implant will help relieve the pain problem. Anyone here have fg around implant?

Anonymous

Tina- I completely agree with you about the LE precautions.  It would be simple and inexpensive to implement saving someone years of pain.  I'm completely baffled as to why this doesn't happen except to blame it on pure ignorance.  That is no excuse anymore, though.  In the meantime, I urge everyone to be their own advocate before it's too late.  Educate yourself on LE precautions and insist on them whenever you are dealing with any medical procedure.

evebarry- I had fat grafting over the implant.  It did resolve the rippling I was having, and covered up the cold implants so the skin feels warm again, but did absolutely nothing for my pain and discomfort.  I'm not sure why your PS would think that it would.  I truly believe for most of us the pain is coming from our pec muscles revolting from being cut, moved and stretched.  It's not natural.  I also believe a lot of us have implants which are way too big for our bodies.  The weight of them feels much different from natural breast tissue though most PS's will tell you there's not much difference.  

I'm tired of PS's focusing on what they think looks good with little regard to what feels good.  They need to adjust their thinking when it comes to recon as we already have enough issues without them adding to it. 

kriserts

Yes, I've had FG around the implant. The pain went away for about 7 weeks, but now it's come back.

 My plan is to eventually do total fat grafting, so next surgery doc will take out the implant. I'm a cyclist and wondering if my position on the bike compromises the implant .... like it falls forward and stretches the muscle .... but at this point it doesn't matter. FG over the implant was suggested as a way to mitigate the pain, now I know it doesn't work. At least for me. I'm sure it helps others.

 One way that FG over the implant DID help is the doc put fat in my axilla, over what felt like a raw nerve. That specific pain has not come back. Just the burning feeling where the implant is came back.

Anonymous

I found this article regarding pain after mastectomy and reconstruction.  It was written in 2008 but has to be the most in depth research I've read so far regarding chronic pain.  It's a long read but has some interesting information.  

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1338916/invited_commentary_pain_after_mastectomy_and_breast_reconstruction/ 

1openheart

Kate...I could not open the page.  

bdavis

Hi Ladies... Just so you do know, the NOLA docs do travel around the country and educate other PSs.. and Marga Massey also travels and has symposiums for patients to help educate... She also works in Charleston and Utah... It is a shame that more docs can't be more like the NOLA docs, but at least they do exist. And I did travel to see them... my costs were minimal, as they go out of their way to make it happen... I had to buy a plane ticket, but could have stayed at Hope Lodge for free and they transport you at their cost to all appts and to and from the airport...  So yes, the standard of care should be what they offer, but unfortunately many doctors don't have the experience, or the time to learn or are comfortable with what they do and don't have the desire to learn... But the doctors in NOLA do indeed go out of their way to educate others on what they do... I have never met more compassionate doctors anywhere.

Anonymous

1openheart- Sorry! Can you copy it and then paste it into your browser?

Anonymous

Betsy, I did not know the NOLA docs traveled and educated other docs. So glad to hear it. Dr. Massey removed my implants in Charleston, and I was blown away by the quality of care I received by her, the hospital staff at Roper, and the lymphedema therapist. I also attended her recent lecture in DC in March. It was great to see her again.

Hindsfeet

My plastic surgeon wants to put a implant in my good natural breast to make it even with the new reconstruted breast. I'm reluctant to have another implant in me. I am not sure if it will feel heavier or what. I would love to have total fat grafting. I thought I was getting a small implant with a lot of fat grafting around it.

Does insurance, due to pain caused by the implant, pay for fat grafting after the implant is alread done and paid for?

sas-schatzi

 Hi everyone, I post infrequently, so many of you won't recogonise me. Kate is the HEART of this thread, And she states she is troubled. I'm now at the 3 year mark post implants.---July 29 th 2009. I still have to be careful about what I do. The biggest change for me occured by serendipity. I had slept since last surgery on my right b/c that kept the left side from hurting so much . All kinds of uses of sports bras/underwirees--half and full/tube top/no bra, changing when they hurt, diifferent support elevation of left arm. Then had brain sx on the right side Mar 27th,2012(B9). Duh couldn't lay comfortably on either side. I'm lucky in the sense that years ago we bought electric beds. But since I couldn't lie on either side, and knew keeping my head elevated was a good thing>>>>I did the head up with legs up, arms supported on couch type pillows on each side>>>I started to see/feel a difference in comfort for the left foob. Still played the game of using what ever made them feel okay, but there was a difference. I think it had to do with gravity>>>was best with out a bra mostly, then when uncomfortable a sports bra turned backward___I know weird, but the sports bra backwards put less pressure on the area that would correspond to where the lymph flow would occur. Plus the sports bar was 2-3 x's size versus 1x at other times.

 For those without an electric bed--perhaps a  a back laying position with the the head of the bed up, which could be accomplished by couch pillows b/c there construction is more solid with the last pillow being softer. Anyways, things are better. Can't say for sure if it was time or change of position. No clue, just know things are better. if you are going to try this back laying position support the legs in a similar fashion>>otherwise you will likely feel lumbar pain. It has to do with the way the spine works. Long explanation. Follows Newtons Law>>that every action has an opposite and equal reaction.

This whole thing sucks..........science has failed us miserably on this. Cluck'em. If it was a mans testicles having so much trouble>>>>>the science would be way on top of it.   Typically, Women get screwed when it comes to science.

Sincere hope that any thing written in this missive brings relief to even one person.

Kate, bless you for being the HEART here...sheila

ronqt1

I asked my breast surgeon if he ever heard of NOLA. No he said. So glad to see that the NOLA drs. do travel outside their facility.  Never mentioned it to my PS.

Reading all posts with great enthusiam, but mainly frightened.

Much thinking to do, but I have all your great info.

Kate, I am going to copy and paste, also could not open.

Evebarry, the One good thing about my boobs, PS did put an implant in good boob and lifted for symetrical reasons and does not bother me at all. Never gave me a problem except that my new foob shrunk a little. If you looked at me you would not know it all. Even when I look in mirror, this is not much difference. If I have more surgery, PS said he would make real boob smaller. So there I can't complain. The only thing about real lifted boob is the friggin scar I developed under.