Infected expander removed, developed so much scar tissue now!

Amelii

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had a similar situation. I had to have my expander removed due to infection, now a month later my whole breast pocket is nothing but hard lumpy scar tissue. The pain is awful. I'm so worried about how my PS is going to replace the expander in 3 months. I asked if he cuts this scar tissue out he said the body will usually take care of some of it ?? I have read nothing that states this. He keeps telling me not worry he'll fix me up. He put my expanders over the muscle immediately after mastectomy, I am petite and was staying with my B cups. I didn't need radiation or chemo. I just dont know what he going to due with all the scar tissue, or how he's going to leave enough skin again to cover the implant. He doesn't seem to elaborate on what will be done. Just says don't worry...well I'm worried!

If any one has had this happen a response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MinusTwo

Amelli - I would suggest that you go talk to another plastic surgeon and get a second opinion. I went and had a 2nd opinion in the middle of the expansion process and felt much better.

macb04

Hi, I had some similar issues with bad scar tissue. I had infections and wound up having an awful crater in my chest. Even worse, I had severe rad fibrosis that made my skin stiff and woody like boot leather. I had to switch PS's. The old one wouldn't help me anymore. Really, really long story short, I got through and now have an almost matching, almost normal "breast ". It took an almost insane level of perseverance on my part to achieve this. I wish I had gone to a PS much more experienced with fat grafting. There weren't any others here at that time, and I couldn't afford to go out of state to a better PS. If I had had a better PS I would have been able to shorten how many reconstruction procedures I had.

Since you didn’t have rads or chemo, you could probably do much better than me with Fat Grafting. Good luck. Update and let us know how it goes.

myToyStory2

I dealt with infection as well and had 2 follow-up surgeries last summer after my BMX. My right side had more scar tissue and less skin after those procedures. I was still able to have my TE placed and expanded fairly successfully. I exchanged to implants in Oct, and currently the right side sits a little bit higher and has a thicker scar line than the unaffected left side. I'm still satisfied with the results though and feel like my PS made the best of a bummer situation. He strongly encourages massaging the breast to break up the scar tissue. Best wishes!