Expanders / implants reconstruction

Rosa_Aurora184161

Hi everyone! I wonder if you have any issues of projection with your permanent silicone implants. I've got expanders in at present and they look a bit flat in the centre (without enough projection), with more volume in the upper pole, a bit square shaped and hard as rocks. I don't have an exchange to implants surgery date yet. I'm in a waiting list. I'll be having anatomical silicone implants. My question. with the silicone implants would you have the same lack of projection in the middle, in centre of the implant? I cannot fill the centre of the bras now with the expanders! Any other issues to comment? Thank you for your replies in advanced.

grammakathy

When my TEs were swapped for cohesive gel implants, my PS did a lot of interior shaping also. I would encourage you to ask to feel samples of the different types of implants - saline, silicone rounds and cohesive gel (also called gummy bears). I went through all the issues of the three with my PS before deciding on the ones she would use. I had read that cohesive gels were firm but they didn't feel any different to me. Another thing that will make a difference is how your chest wall is shaped because that affects how they sit on your chest. I was a 40C before my surgery and with weight loss, I am a 38C. I was fitted for bras at Nordstroms a few months after my exchange and some bras showed gaps but she was able to fit me in some that are great. Since I no longer need support, I wear either Sassybax or Coobie bras and they are so comfortable. Good luck!

Rosa_Aurora184161

Thanks grammakathy for your answer. You're very kind.

IDartist

Hello Ladies,

I have a bit of a unique situation and was wondering if anyone can give share their experiences with me.

In September 2012 I had a DM with reconstruction with reconstruction Jan 2013. Since I was going down in size (from a D to a my surgeon directly placed my implants without tissue expanders and I was very happy with the result.

Since the I have had a total hysterectomy and have gained some weight and my implants have settled and I am not longer happy with the look of them. I went back to my surgeon and he is going to remove my implants, put in tissue expanders so we can fill them to the size/shape I want and then we will exchange them for my new implants.

Since my chest already has a pocket from my implants, my surgeon said this wouldn't be as painful as the direct placement I had a 2 years ago, so I am fairly certain I can handle that part. Can someone tell me what to expect with the fill process? I am nervous about being poked with a giant needle and do they give you anything for that discomfort?

Thank you for anything you can share!

muska

Hi Acaligirl, the fill process is usually painless. you don't feel the needle that is inserted. You might fill a bit of tightness afterwards because they are stretching the muscle. My surgeon filled 60ml at a time, some do more. You can space your fills if you feel uncomfortable and give your body a little more time to adjust or ask the surgeon to reduce the amount.

IDartist

Thank you Muska, appreciate your input. I don't have much sensation anyway so hopefully I won't feel much. :-)

Trichick1964

Hi Acaligirl,

The fills don't hurt at all, although it still makes me sweat knowing there's a needle in there. My skin is numb there anyway from the mastectomy. My first fill was fine but the 2nd one a week later left me in quite a bit of pain. Since then I've ended up spacing the fills out a bit more and haven't had a problem since other than just being a little sore, but nothing that stops me from carrying on with my day. Good luck!

IDartist

Thank you Trichick196! I appreciate your reply.

I have regained a tiny bit of feeling in my chest since my DM in 2013 and hopefully not enough to feel the needle!

Rosa_Aurora184161

Any more replies to my question, please? Thanks.

Leslie13

Hi Rosa,

I had a nipple sparing, direct to implant BMX almost 3 months ago. My PS used anatomical "gummy bear" implants and my nipples have proper projection. I even have feeling in one breast! I stayed a size C and may be smaller than some want. I'll have fat grafting down the road. The implants feel normal to the touch, but still feel like a foreign object.

I can't judge about comfort. They don't hurt as much as my left botched hip replacement, and revision 2 years ago, nor as bad as the hip I'm having replaced in a couple of months. I have a lot of arthritis and a history of over 10 surgeries so my pain tolerance and expectations of results likely differ from many.

It's unrealistic to think a BMX will look or feel as good as your own, unless you are improving aesthics by downsizing. Upsizing will hurt and feel unnatural. When they do an augmentation, they use much smaller implants that are placed above the pecs.

I'm only on the soapbox because I saw my surgeon Monday and he said most women were disappointed with their reconstructions. I was very surprised as mine has exceeded my expectations. But I've had enough surgeries to know you're never 100% better. Cutting nerves and muscles causes pain and every incision leaves a scar. I'm not sure how much better my implants will feel, but I'll notice them less over time. And I was picky about scar placement. It's underneath so won't show.

I like not needing to wear a bra because I'm perkier. Every surgery has trade-offs, and I feel pretty good considering this was done to save my life.

grammakathy

My fills didn't hurt until the last two. The needle pricks were barely there. It was the last two expansions that made the muscles ache but that only lasted two nights each time. I was expanded to just under the weight of the pathology sample that was removed and remained about the same size I was before the double mastectomy. I've been very happy with my results.

DebCoz

I have had 3 expansions done since my surgery which was on 12/2/15. My last expansion was 12/3/15. I am getting a sharp pain only on my Left side right under my breast. It comes and goes. This is the side that my cancer was on and they took 13 lymphnodes. It seems like it comes on when I am walking. Not all the time but every now and then. I also had my last 2 drains removed on the same day and I have been having message treatments so I don't fluid in that arm. Has anyone ever had pain on one side? Thanks and Happy New Year!

Mominator

Hi Deb,

At surgery, it was filled to 420 ml. I didn't notice it too much because my entire chest was swollen and bruise.

But the morning after my first fill, I had spasms in both breasts, and the left one hurt so much more. I had/have pain mostly on one side. My left TE feels like it is really pushing into my armpit and the other side of the TE is poking the middle of my breast. I mentioned to PS, and he said he could see how the TE was a bit more into the armpit on the left.

It may be similar for you, or something else. Did you put a call into your PS or BS?

Good luck,

Mominator

TruckGirl

Hi. My initial fillings were painless but as the expander filled & everything started to stretch, I would have random shooting pains for a day or two - especially at night. Hang in there, as the pain does diminish. It's just your body getting used to the additional fluid that is injected.