Deconstructed and Happy about it!

Tina -- I had capsular contracture twice in my reconstructed breast (one is natural).  The first implant was replaced last December and the second one was removed a couple of months ago.  Since that surgery I've had some post surgical issues -- a hematoma that required another surgery and a seroma that got infected, but am now healing nicely.  Even with all the surgeries and the radiated, stretched skin on this one side, it is beginning to look pretty flat and tidy.  There is no extra, loose skin and only one small concave spot that may look different as time goes by.  The left side of my chest honestly looks and feels so much better than the contracted implants ever looked or felt.  I do have a lot of scar tissue forming again, and am not sure what to do about that.  Nothing for now is the plan. 

Hairspraymom -- I love your attitude and am so glad to know you are happy and feeling good about your decision to be deconstructed!!

BonnieK, your comment is another ray of hope! Glad to know your newly flat side looks better than it did with the CC. You must be thrilled. Hope everything continues to heal well and becomes even more flat and tidy. When you say you have a lot of scar tissue forming again, can you tell me about that? I know some of us tend to scar more than others, but I'm curious about where it is, how it feels, looks, etc. 

I didn't have rads or chemo, so I'm hoping my body is just rejecting the implants. The strange thing about the CC, is that my mastectomy scars have practically disappeared! My scarring is the capsule itself, or perhaps the capsule has adhered to the pectoral or serratus muscle or to the chest wall. I have had myofascial release therapy and found it helped break down the scarring quite a bit. It didn't work as well on the capsule itself, but it did on the areas surrounding the implant, and esp. my back, neck and shoulders. I'm hoping I won't need it any more after the implants are gone. However, I've talked with my therapist, and I definitely would have to wait at least six weeks if I did want him to work on me post surgery. 

Thanks again for sharing, as it continues to buoy my spirits and makes me eager to have this over with. Now if it weren't for this damn lymphedema, I'd probably have the surgery scheduled already. Need to interview PS's first and then I can get going. 

Drain pull and being done - the best Christmas gift!! So happy for you. 

All I want for Christmas is to be deconstructed and feel good! They weren't kidding when they said if you have your health, you have everything! 

Best wishes to all! 

Dear HairSprayMom and others

How long did it take you deconstruction surgery and recovery.  I have had two expander's on my right side removed and the last was taken out due to incision not healing and a whole in the skin that exposed the expander.  I did have a bilateral mastectomy and the left side has had no problems but still has the expander in.  I am not considering anymore reconstruction on the right side and want the expander out now on my left to be fully flat.  When they took out the last expander it was an outpatient surgery and recovery was a few days until I felt up to going to work.  So basically it was from Tuesday (surgery day) to Monday (return to work).  I did see the PS on the Monday I returned to work and he took out the two drains I had in.  I see him on the 19th to tell him about my decision but was getting an idea of what your deconstruction time/recovery took?  I am anticipating my time off work.  I still have radiation on my right side to start so I am thinking I will not be ready until mid May.  Do they tighten the skin or keep it a little loose?  Poking for information.  I have just made this decision after lengthy conversation with PH.  He has been so great, he just wants me healthy and happy, love him to bits.

My deconstruction may fall around the 1st anniversary of my mastectomy on May 11th.

That's interesting about having drains. I didn't have them when the PS did the exchange surgery. I lived with drains after the MX, so I can do it again if necessary.

Bonnie - I tried to find your pic of CC on the photo forum but could not. Do you have a different username over there? I hope your incision continues to heal and stops seeping. 

Thanks HairSprayMom for your story and encouragement.  Had my 3 month L Dex check up with Nurse Debbie and all good no signs of limphadema appearing.  Explained my situation since last  saw her and she completely understands.  She is a breast cancer survivor (lumpectomy) but has seen it all.  She said just think of your health and quality of life.  Upward and onward no looking back.

I am joining the club as well this Thursday and I couldn't be happier about my decision! After 22 months and 4 surgeries....it's time to throw in the towel!! I can't wait to get my life back!

hi i am not sure if this will help you but i was deconstructed 5 weeks ago and i feel great. my chest feels light and i am really liking the flat look. it makes me look younger and thinner. I formed a lot of scar tissue with my implants but so far the chest is doing great. i hope you will be as happy with your results as i am. , i bet you will find that your recovery will be so much easier than when the implants were placed. i didnt even have to use any pain meds beyond a couple of tylenols. you are in my prayers.

Thank you mlp and hairspray mom!  After feeling like a failure because I'm having so much trouble, it's wonderful to talk with others that have had probs.. It's so frustrating trying to find others that are experiencing the same things you are. And I agree with mlp, I've gained more from the discussion boards than from my docs!  I've got three more weeks until my appointment. The thought of being free from pain is so wonderful, and I haven't had near the problems that you all have had. Guess it wasn't meant to be for me. Much love to all who have taken time to share their stories- keep 'em coming!

I will keep you all in my prayers and hope that I have a successful deconstruction, too. I go to the onc today so am nervous as a cat!! But you all know the feeling well.  Also sore from physical therapy to prevent frozen shoulder, another unpleasant side effect of the pain from the tissue expanders.  Hopefully I will come through this with grace and humor as I have seen so many times on this message board.