Sub-pectoral to prepectoral breast revision

lbeedle

I'm hoping someone can share their experience with me. I had a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders sub-pectoral 5/2015, expanders exchanged with implants 1/2016. I have ALWAYS felt like I needed to take my "iron bra" off. I have just never been comfortable. Long story short, there is a problem with my left implant and it needs to come out. I am scheduled for surgery at the end of the month. My PS wants to take these implants out, re-attach my pec muscle and place the implants precectoral. He is also recommending we do fat grafting at the same time. He swears this will make me feel so much better in the end, but I'm a bit nervous of the recovery. Does anyone have experience with this revision?

Lorie

Moderators

Hi lbeedle and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so sorry to hear you're dealing with this uncomfortable situation. We know others with experience will be weighing in shortly to offer support and advice, but we wanted to drop in and say hi and thanks for posting.

We look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

VegGal

I did it last September. So much better. There are lots of women who are doing it these days as well.

Ask any questions.

rdeesides

Hi lbeetle, if you go over to this thread, you will find some people who have done it and I think they are all rather pleased.

TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!

Hope that helps.

Rebekah

lbeedle

Thanks so much for responding. I did see the feed, thanks for the suggestion. VegGal, I was wondering about the immediate post op period. How was the pain? Does the pec muscle cramp as its trying to return to it's normal size? Also, did you have fat grafting done at the same time? I'm excited about the relief I should feel when the surgery is done, but just nervous for the surgery. Sorry to fire so many questions. Thanks so much for any info you can give me.

BrownEyesBrownHair

Hi there,

So glad to see this. I have the same questions. It has been 1 year since original double mastectomy and 6 months since the implants were placed. Definitely wearing the "iron bra" and lamenting the crazy change in strength. I don't feel comfortable doing anything that requires pectoral muscles...which is a lot of things. Not to mention the weird underarm architecture.

I'm pretty new to this website.

VegGal (or anyone else), what kind of implants did you get? Right now I have cohesive gel implants. The shape seems unnatural. Lots of altitude towards the mid-line and tapering oddly to the side. I feel like they are on me sideways. I'm a little freaked out that they only came textured as well.

My surgeon and everyone else says my result is really good. And there is nothing "wrong" with them. I feel petty because I know how lucky I am but these things bother me every waking moment.

Thanks in advance for any help from anyone!!! I will see if I can find the thread...

Flmom66

I have the Natrelle high projection and they were placed pre-pectoral. I’ve been very happy with them as far as discomfort and movement. No iron bra feeling.Recovery time was minimal. Just had fat grafting to even them out, so that will have to settle, but will say the fat grafting was more uncomfortable than the pre pec implant. Good luck with your decision!