Soreness 5 months after recon.

MotherofFour

I had recon 5 months ago, 6 months after ending rads (5 week treatment). My skin handled rads pretty well, and I was moving overseas, so elected to do recon 4 months before the move rather than wait another 2 years. My plastic surgeon had said to massage it, the PA said I should not a week later as it looked fine. . .So I only massaged it for about 2 weeks, 2 weeks after surgery. About 1 month ago I noticed the implant started sticking out a little bit on the side toward my cleavage. It wasn't always noticeable, but I can always feel it and push it back in just slightly. A couple of weeks ago I start experiencing intermittent soreness, mostly on the top half of the breast. Is this normal? Is this 'capsular contraction'? The new breast was always a little too hard and solid. . .didn't feel much different than a TE. Also, it was listed as "510" and I was expanded before rads to 465ml. Before surgery the nurse PA told me I was getting a new pear shaped implant. . .that this was the first time they've used them. I am wondering if I should go to see a plastic surgeon in this new country to ask an opinion or should I ask my doctor if there is a possible infection? Ironically, it has started feeling softer in the past couple of weeks. The skin still looks great. . .no sign of infection on the outside. No intermittent fevers.

Moderators

Hi MotherofFour,

We're hoping our post will "bump" your thread back into Active Topics to get your question in front of some members who can weigh in, so you can get some answers.

We hope this helps and you get this figured out soon!

--The Mods

leftduetostupidmods

By my knowledge you are kind of supposed to massage your implants for the rest of your life. Capsular contracture can appear even 20 years down the road. I still massage mine but just once a week now, when I was at that time frame you are now, I was still massaging daily.

MotherofFour

Thanks. . .the Surgeon said to massage, and then the PA said I didn't need to, and then the surgeon later said it was fine. So, massage daily so it doesn't get worse. Guess I will try that.