Question about uneven tissue expanders

Jocelyneyesenia1

Hi everyone!

I underwent a prophylactic nipple sparing bilateral mastectomy with immediate expander reconstruction. I also had lymph nodes removed from the left side.

I have had two fills since then and I have noticed that the left breast (side they took lymph nodes from) is sitting higher on my chest than the right one. I can also see the tabs of the expander. The breasts have a different shape and my nipples are not leveled.

I was wondering if anyone had this experience and once the exchange happened ended up with a symmetrical result. Or if what my breasts look like now will be more or less what they look like with the implants.

Thanks!

MinusTwo

Jocelyn - use the search option & look for Exchange.

Personally from what I've read, I think it's very hard to make nipples match - but experienced plastic surgeons can work miracles. Ask your doc.

Lille

Hi Jocelyn. You are by far not the only one to experience uneven tissue expanders. I had a bilateral mastectomy in July and my right sat higher than the left, it was also displaced somewhat laterally. The good news is that my PS brought them closer together and did some fat grafting that makes the inner curves look nice. He also brought the right one inwards and down further however it is still at least a centimeter higher. It might be harder to notice if it wasn't for the disparity in where the nipples sit. Granted I am only going on two months out and things can still shift. It is perhaps the most disappointing thing in the end, that daily reminder. In essence, yes it can affect permanent placement but they can close the gap. If my right pocket could just drop one centimeter it would make all the difference, sooo close

OnTarget

My TEs were even, but my implants were 1/2 inch off and it drove me nuts.

One got infected, so we started over with a TE.

I'm psycho, so I used a level to perfectly sunburn sports bra lines into my chest so the doc had a level point of reference.

My TEs are perfect and I'll do it again when I finally get my new implant. I hope they end up even!

I think you doc can adjust things during surgery.

fairy21

I’m in the same boat! I had a nipple sparing double mastectomy in March 2021 with tissue expanders and just had second fill. I’m uneven and my nipples are pointing in different directions. It was so devastating to loose my breasts and I still feel so hacked up. Now I’m terrified I will be uneven with bizarro nipples. They have told me I will look completely different a year from now and to avoid thinking “this is it” but it’s so hard!!!!