Implant discomfort after swap

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bluefin
bluefin Member Posts: 50
edited February 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a bilateral mastectomy in June of 2015. Had TE placed and then had 6 weeks of radiation. Waited over a year for reconstruction as I was planning on DIEP flap. Ended up changing my mind and decided to try implants for a less invasive surgery. I did have some capsular contracture on the left due to the radiation. PS released a bunch of that during my exchange surgery in October 2016.

I'm afraid that the capsule is tightening again. It's now causing me discomfort when I lift my arm in a certain way or when I bend over. It almost feels like there's a bubble (fluid maybe?) or that the implant is rubbing internally. It's not necessarily painful, but the feeling kind of makes me want to jump out of my skin.

Will fat grafting help with this? I got a second opinion shortly after surgery with another PS (as the implants aren't even) and he suggested structured implants due to a lower risk of capsular contracture, but I run a lot and he doesn't recommend them for runners due to the increased risk the implant flipping. He also said that fat grafting would be beneficial, especially on the radiated side, something my current PS didn't think was necessary.

I'm frustrated because I'm young (34) and I want to feel normal by having breasts, but I'm also active and I want to be able to run and workout and lift my 4 year old without having discomfort. I'm also tired of having surgery. I'm not really interested in any flap that requires muscle and am feeling like I'm running out of options and should maybe just go flat.

Advice??

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