Visible ripples in implants

Deekay-I'm feeling the same as your right now and I agree we all seem to have the same common factors. At least we are not alone in this. I see my PS in Jan but in no rush for anything. I'm exactly like you when I stand up straight and keep shoulders tight they look awesome. It's just when I stand in a normal position or bend over they become very obvious. In a bra they look good enough My husband told me I tend to slouch because I'm tall and he said maybe it will teach/force me to stand up straight. They are definitely big enough. All the types of shirts I used to wear don't seem to feel/fit right. I used to be able to wear tiny tanks and sleeveless and V necks, now I'm going for boat necks and shirts that fully cover my chest. Sigh, after the holidays I'm cleaning my whole closet out and starting again.

On another note, I'm thinking of posting a ripple thread on the pic forum so I put only my ripple pics up (not revision and TE,etc) and anyone who wants to post theirs can too. This way we can sort of follow eachothers issues and journey and see if anyone out there can help us.

deekaay and sweetie- I was just telling my DH how similar our situations and problems are. It's like parallel lives in a BC universe.  I'm in a holding pattern, too, as I'm just burned out on surgeries and procedures.  Like you, sweetie, I had to purge my closet of a lot of my favorites (though my niece scored some nice clothes big time!) and now I'm wondering if I'd gone with a smaller implant if I'd be having all these issues.  But, for now, I'll try to adopt a "soldier at attention" stance as much as possible.  Lately, I have a small protrusion at the inside bottom of one breast that feels like part of the implant is poking out.  Not sure what they could do about that.  

I think the ripple thread on the pic forum is a great idea.  I'll try to get my DH to take some new ones this weekend.  I will be curious if anyone else has any words of wisdom.  Still not sure if my insurance co. will pay for fat grafting if that is the answer.  My PS said it's considered cosmetic but isn't this all cosmetic?  It's not like, physically, we need to walk around with breasts.  I think they should pay for whatever we need to restore us to our former selves which did not include seeing my boobs look like a Ruffles potato chip!

I love the "yes they are fake  ....

I will get the results back on the gene test this week. Will decide about the masectomy after that.  My boobs are small but they are mine and if I can keep them without them killing me I want to.  But at what odds am I willing to keep them?  25% chance of recurrence ?  yes but @ 50% chance of getting this again?  I do not think so. do you know of anyone that chose to have a double masectomy due to the gene?

Kate - I too have pain and wonder about the placement with the pec muscle.  Did you have any pain like this with the TE?  Because I didn't.  It is so bothersome to me.... just stupid little things like clothes shopping and looking through the racks at Ross, I'll be in pain for a day or two afterwards.  It seems to me the worst motion is like a clapping motion, or even washing dishes. 

Joanne -- Any input you have regarding the pec muscles and implant placement would be great.  To me, it is almost as if the muscle is not being supported.... or perhaps with the Alloderm sling, it shortened the muscle causing it to be slack now..... does that even make sense at all?  Again with the tissue expander I was fine and now with the implant it hurts.  I'm going in for revision on Friday to a larger implant .....so hopefully that will correct the pain issue.   I'll keep you all posted.

mrsbeasley- It's so difficult to advise someone on what to do.  On one hand the new digital mammograms are really good at catching things early on.  On the other hand I had multiple areas of DCIS that were never detected in a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI.  I think it's all basically a crap shoot to tell you the truth.  You can have the gene and never get BC.  You can not have the gene and still get BC.  I say do whatever gives you the best quality of life- whether that be peace of mind with a MX.  Or not putting up with numb, fake breasts the rest of your life by going with a lumpectomy.  BTW, is your photo a real Mrs. Beasley doll?  I think I had one of those as a kid!  

vanderlady- I had some pain with the TE's but it was always right after fills.  Nothing like I'm feeling now- this constant ache.  And the whole pec muscle thing is really bothersome for me, too.  Even turning the steering wheel or trying to open a jar.  I wonder if it's going to be like this forever or do we eventually get used to it?  Wishing you good luck with your revision this Friday.  Hope they can resolve things for you!  Definitely keep us posted! 

Claire-aww thanks.

Vanderlady-Your surgery is already Friday,wow. It's going to be here fast. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm hoping this will resolve all your ripple issues and maybe even eliminate the pain. I had a severe pain with my TE on the right and it had to be removed and replaced because of an open wound. After it was replaced the pain was gone. I wondered if the pain was because it was sitting right on a nerve or something.

Mrsbeasley- Kate gave you some good advice. It is such a hard and personal decision especially when you have options. I had the choice a lumpectomy or single or double MX. I ultimately choose the BMX because for me it was the way I would get the most peace of mind. It is a very personal choice though and what I did was made a list of pros and cons for each option. I then thought it over and realized there is no perfect solution but the one that felt right for me. In the end I felt I choose right because not only did I have the IDC they already found but I also had all types of LCIS and DCIS that never showed up on the MRI. I heard a speech by Dr. Susan Love and she said that 80% of women who get BC have no risk factors.  Do all the research you can and ask questions and ultimately the choice will be what your heart tells you. I wish you the best.

Hello, I just wanted to share my experience over time with some pretty serious rippling...

I had my exchange surgery to silicone 375ml implants 7/09.   On my small frame (5'2" and 106lbs) I ended up a 34D or more precisely 32DD (hard to find this size though).  I have had two fat transfers to try to help with very significant rippling and the fat was reabsorbed almost immediately.  

After taking up a campaign to take much better care of myself and exercising regularly for the last six months  (v-e-r-r-y carefully) my ripples seem to be improving quite a bit.  While I have to be very in tune with my pecs, not to overdo, overall I think that slightly increasing their size and strength may be helping to hold the implants and diminish the rippling. 

I hope this may help some of you.

Julie

geysermom- Thanks for the input from someone who is further out in the process.  Gives me hope that things may resolve over time. 

geysermom - very interesting about the exercising.  Although my PS said he didn't want the pec muscle specifically built up, no push ups, flys, or bench presses (he thinks they cause the implant to move)  all other exercises are ok though. 

vanderlady - so if you are having surgery you will be out of tennis again?  That's what I have missed most about all this, playing tennis and seeing my tennis friends a few times a week. 

vanderlady-

How are you doing? I too have the pain you have described and have posted here about it.

Please let us know. hope your surgery was kind and you are feeling relief both physical and other.

Warm wishes,

Jessica 

Jessica -- Exactly how long have you been living with this pain?  From your posts, I gather a few years.  

p.s. -- okay, just found you on the picture forum.... left you a message there. 

vanderlady- Just wanted to say good luck as well!!  Really hope the Boob Fairy gets it right this time!

I was glad there is a thread about the ripples, I have them bad ----also One side also is fuller than the other. (the one where I had a lumpectomy is larger and firmer) I am not happy with my Plastic surgery, If I bend over there are hollow indents because of the shifting of the implants. Should I seek another plastic surgeon and would that be comered my insurance???

kate33 wow the similarities between us are amazing! 

bestock  if you like your PS talk with him/her to see what he suggests to make it acceptable. If he/she is not responsive find a new one.  You deserve to have a sense of satisfaction.  Knowing we will never be perfect we should at least be satisfied it is the best that it can be.