Visible ripples in implants

Kate-He said he would do a lift and stitch on the inside under the IMF. This would lift them up and fill in the upper pole. The problem is he will be sewing into scar tissue and muscle in the rib area which will cause pain/soreness for about a month. Also it will show "pleats" where the stitches are. If I call in your pics your stitches were showing on the outside for a while. What type of stitching was that? He said both will go away. I'm having major doubts now because I just feel so good and back to normal after such a long time and I can't stop thinking about having to deal with pain again. I also started worrying if he goes up 50-100cc's I'll look to big. I really like the size I am now and really don't want to go much bigger. I just feel all confused again and am starting to think I'm not ready and I better wait.

Deekaay-He is really a sweetheart. Very compassionate. He is open and honest about things. The problem is I can't make up my mind. Of course any surgeon is going to want to try to make you happy. He did say he would not do this if he did not think it would help.

Hi sweetie I am sorry that you are losing sleep over this.  I was doing that too.  I just decided that I don't want to think about it till next year then I can evaluate. So till then I am living will so many ripples on my right side~that is the side that needs a lift, stitch.  Your breast issues sound so very similar to mine!  Your surgeon sounds much more sure of himself than mine.  I too am worried that I would not like a bigger implant.  I had so much pain after my MX I don't think my revision would be anything like that but probably not as easy as exchange...

Determined-trust me I understand exactly how you feel. We have every right to feel good about ourselves as women and even more so after what we've been through. I would definitely seek a second opinion for peace of mind. A new Dr may have a different approach. My Dr does do the gummies and he mentioned to me I could do those and they may have less rippling, but honestly I don't really want them. I like the shape of my implants now and the gummies are completely different. It may be an option for you though if you do liike  the shape. They look great on a lot of women I've seen on here. Hang in there, we are all in this together.

Soccergirl-we do have similar situations so you can follow my progress then. I called my Dr and we had a long conversation about everything. He explained it all out in detail. He is very confident he can make things better and hopefully a lot better. I told him I do not want to be much bigger either, but 10-15% will be needed to fill in the area where I have no upper pole. It said it will not look that much bigger. He was really compassionate and seemed to really understand my concerns.  For pain he said he has to tell me I may have some and more discomfort than the last surgery because of the stitching. However in my case it's not extensive stitching so it won't be a huge amount of work like some people have needed. He just wants me to be prepared in case I have more pain than I thought I would.

Kate-I think the lift is the big part of getting rid of the ripples. I had kind of thought mine seemed a little low. Not bad but that they could be a tad higher. He showed me how it would look and when he lifted it from the bottom it filled out the area of the rippling on top. I think they could just do the lift and not go with a larger implant or just a very small increase. Actually that is what we are shooting for. I want him to first try with just the implant and if that doesn't work do a minimal lift with the smallest implant. If there is still rippling and room he may go with the next size up, but he's only bringing in two sizes. He knows I'd rather stay close to where I'm at. He is really trying to work with me and make me happy. So we'll see how it all goes and hopefully it will help you ladies decide too.

BTW, for those of you with access to the picture forum check out leeinfl's latest pics.  She had her implants swapped out for smaller ones and a few rounds of fat grafting done by Dr. K. and she looks AMAZING!!!

I met with my surgeon today and will be having my implants done in a few months. He said because I am thin and boney, he could try to get fat from somewhere else and move it to my chest.  Can anyone explain what this process is and how it is done?  Also, which is the way to go...saline or silicone?  also, is the anatomical or round better?  Did any of you have this done prior to radiation?  If I do radiation instead of tamoxifen, he suggests doing the implants first.  Any advice is appreciated!

angel- The silicones feel and look much more natural.  They are very safe because they're not liquid silicone, but cohesive- more like a solid.  The anatomicals look more natural but are very firm so don't feel as natural.  Sometimes with the rounds you get a kind of "step off" at the top but fat grafting can improve this if it happens.  Fat grafting is basically just liposuction.  They remove the fat from one area and inject it into another.  I didn't have rads so can't advise you on that.  I do know that it can sometimes complicate your reconstruction depending on how your skin holds up.  I have heard that some surgeons are having good luck with fat grafting to improve radiated skin, too.

Kate and Deekay-I had to do a little research on the lift because my Dr said it was a general term and most of what I found showed a lift with scars and removing skin, but he told me that there would be no incision or scars but there would be "pleats" that would go away over time. He said he wasn't removing skin, just lifting. So my research shows that this type of lift is with "serdev sutures" that make skin punctures, but no scarring. It lifts the breast by sewing it to muscle on the inside. He told me he would go in through the scars I have from my MX and do the lift at the bottom. He told me it would be sore. I am going to call his office on Monday because my research opened up new questions for me. The problem is when you go for your appt they tell you they are going to a procedure and tell you briefly what it is about, but you don't really understand what is being done. I know he is the type that doesn't want to make more scars and wants to makes things less invasive. I actually prefer he doesn't do the lift if the larger implant alone works. However from the research the lift can help a lot with upper pole fullness and is used in conjunction with implants. So our plan is to try just the implants first but if a little lift is needed he will do that.

I choose saline so I didn't have to have MRI to check for a leak.  My doctor said if I choose silicone he recommended these type of checks sometimes. I was feeling very done with MRIs and mammos.  I have never had silicone so I can't compared but I do believe I am a minority in this choice.  I have no regrets so far...only had them since Jan 2011.

Angelfromabove-very good questions. I did a lot of research. I did touch both the gummy and silicone implants inside and outside of a body. The gummy's felt very natural, but firmer. I have the silicone's myself and I think they feel very soft. I have touched the saline as well on someone and they seemed to feel very good. Although it's hard to compare how something feels on someone else vs. having it inside of you. As Kate suggested I'd read the threads and get some insight on what the ladies say. I did that and it helped me a lot in making my decision.

betty thank you. Did you have any fat grafting? I had so many complications surgically my PS is hesitant about another surgery. I would love the fat grafting to avoid that.

Kate I emailed Dr. K and got a response. To call for a consultation. So no matter what you are talking two trips with him right?  Consult and then to go back down. I wonder if you could set it up so it could all be done in one trip. I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear how it went. The job thing is so frustrating. I was layed off three times in 3 years due to companies merging and closing. I know you will be fabulous wherever you end up.

Thanks leeinfl, I just don't know what to do. I am not sure if a little larger would solve the problem or not. I think due to all my complications I am scared but not willing to have ripples if I don't have to. I am going back and forth. I am going to get a couple of second opinions in IL first and then possibly follow up with Dr. K. I want to feel normal like we all do. But I am so afraid of complications again. I lost my nipples from complications and had a wound incision break open and infections in both incisions. Most likely hospital aquired. I know no one can tell me what to do I already postponed my revision due to my PS not really wanting to do it. He is good and I have a really nice shape and size just the darn ripples.  I know I am not unique in this journey also, just weary

Kate33 - yes, post-op appointments are usually the following Tuesday.  I have no idea if there are any women who decide not to do this after the initial consultation.  Dr. K is so passionate and enthusiastic that you immediately feel at ease and comfortable with the decision to go ahead.  I just suggested that might be a reason for them not scheduling the surgery until AFTER that initial consult.  Sorry to hear about your "rainstorm" - geez!....sending lots of good wishes and hugs your way!

Determined-I emailed Dr. Khouri and send him several of my pictures. He replied back several times answering a lot of questions. I asked about flying in since I'm out of town. He said I could fly in and have an appt and do the surgery that week and leave on a Monday or Tuesday. I'd have to be sure I would want the surgery of course. I sure most people would want the intial consult and time to think it over. You could also request a phone consult and maybe he would do that since he knows your out of town. I would try emailing your questions though, he pretty much gave me his surgery plan just seeing all my photos.

sweetie thanks so much! Have you made an appt? I am going to a Breast Nurse Navigator course in Atlanta in Aug maybe I could add that on? I will call them and see if I can send pictures. I would love to avoid another invasive surgery!

Your ripples look much like mine. I don't really want to go to smaller as there seems like not enough in the upper pole now?