Visible ripples in implants

Well, I have one foot off the fence!  I was going to cancel my fat grafting appt. for 4/26, but I asked some questions this week and I think I am going to go ahead.  My PS nurse said that the doc can "suck out" my current fat lump during surgery and replace it with fresh fat.  Also, big plus is that they can do it under twilight anesthesia.  I am not really unhappy with foobs so I still have a little hesitation to do anything more.  We'll see...

fire-dancer, it is early, yes.  But after a few weeks when swelling from exchange goes down, that is when ripples can appear for many of us who have rippling.  That's what happened with me.  I didn't get a really clear picture for 3-4 month.

Determined-Dr. Khouri wouldn't be making me smaller overall. He would be using a smaller implant and doing a larger layer of FG. So overall I would be the same or bigger if I wanted to be. I agree I don't have a lot of upper pole either so I would even consider a larger implant.

Firedancer-I started noticing a few ripples right after surgery and they got worse as time went on but then tappered off to what I have now. I think in my case I could use a larger implant because it seems like I have a lot of space and not much upper pole. Give yourself time though your not too far out from your exchange. I noticed that after several months things really began to feel good and the implants felt more like part of me. They feel full and soft too. Would be good except for the darn ripples. A push up bra helps a lot too with getting more upper pole.

Deekay-good for you. It sounds like you should go for it. I think FG has a lot of merit and it is worth doing. I would be right on it if my Dr offered it to me. Unfortunately no one in my area does it except one Dr who is out of network. I think it's going to work out good for you. Many ladies have great results with FG.

sweetie- I'm wondering if they can concentrate some of the FG to fill in the upper pole?  I feel so boney on top and then have a big step off.  I'm going to have to ask Dr. K about that.  I think I've decided if I do the revision I want to go smaller.  And then I'm determined to get the extra weight off that I've put on since surgery.  With the implants feeling too big, and the extra weight, I don't feel like me anymore.  I miss my old body.  I'm even wondering if I didn't do an implant at all how big he could make me with just fat?  My whole life I thought I wanted bigger breasts and now that I have them I don't like them!  LOL!  I swear there's no pleasing me! :-D

Kate, I am so with you on the feel.  I don't think I'll change out for smaller, but I don't feel like me either.  It's getting better but many times a  day  including when I get up in the middle of the night, I feel the difference on my chest.  When I look in the mirror, I am more balanced now which is what the PS recommended.  It's just the change in feel that continues to bug me.  Waaaa....

Deekay-we will be routing for you. Your lucky to have the option of FG. The more I've read about it the more I like that option. Hoping one day my Dr will be doing it.

Kate-I'm very bony on top too. I think I have read that some women had FG to fill in indentations. I think Dr. Khouri can do wonders. Get all those questions ready and ask him everything. Let's see what he says. I just want to say I really do understand how you feel about not feeling like your self. That same feeling hit me right after surgery and about two weeks ago. I was starting to get all weepy. Something I didn't do this whole time while going through 3 other surgeries. It just began to hit me this is who I am now (physically). It hit me how numb I feel and I realized no matter how I changed my breasts they would never be like they were. I think  what I was going through was finally accepting everything that had happened to me and mourning what I lost. As far as your size-if you've had your implants for quite a while and it doesn't feel like you like the look you have with them I don't see anything wrong with changing them out to smaller ones. I think Dr. Khouri could possibly make a whole breast with just fat grafting. His website shows that and it works well for an A or B cup. It's your body and it doesn't matter what other people think you should look like. You have every right to feel good about yourself. Pursue that and until you do, whether it's an emotional thing or a physical thing.

Firedancer-Some rippling is going to be envitable especially on thinner women or women with thin skin. Maybe the NSM does have something to do with it. I agree with the upper pole causing the ripples. That is where the implant is going to get pulled down by gravity and show a void. You would need a bigger, tighter implant, but then again it may still ripple. I think the highly cohesive tear drop ones don't show ripples as much. They don't have as much upper pole but some women really like them and they look great on them. Your implants will definately feel more like part of you as time goes on. In fact I have noticed in the past month or so how soft they have become. They seem to mold to your body more too. Give it time. Its all part of the adjustment. Our bodies weren't perfect before and they won't be perfect now, but they are a pretty good reproduction!

sweetie- I think I finally took a long hard look in the mirror and said this is not who I want to be; what I want to look like.  I know I can never get the body back I used to have but I think I can get closer to it than this.  I do hope Dr. K can help me.  I am so amazed how supportive my DH has been about this.  When I didn't get the job I had applied for all he said was, "Well, now you can the revision which is more important".  I don't think I have ever loved him more since I'm sure by now he is so sick of talking about BC and boobs!  Let me know if you have any questions you want me to ask Dr. K.

deekaay- Alien is the perfect word to describe the feeling of these foobs.  I'm one of those hyper-sensitive people where a tag on a shirt can make me practically insane.  I feel like my brain is being constantly bombarded with messages that something's not right here.  Maybe that will go away in time but it's been 9 months now and it still drives me crazy.  As much as the thought of more surgery freaks me out I just can't stand these any longer.

I found another thread that is very similar to this one.  It is called "Still uncomfortable with implants".  Women who hate their implants are coming out of the woodwork.  It's funny.  You think you're the only one but every post strikes such a cord with all of us.  I wonder how many women can truly say they are happy with their recon?   Here's the link if you want to check the other thread-

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/766702?page=2#idx_40 

Kate, thanks for the kind words. I put up my latest photos on TIm Tam's site the other day, so check 'em out and let me know hwat you think, if you like. I'm glad so far and it hasn't been as intense as the first implant surgery. My PS even has released me to exercise two weeks earlier than last time because I've already been through it once before. I do have to wear a sports bra 24-7 for the next two months. The "stitching" in my case is building a suitable pocket using dermal matrix, cadaver tissue. It's like sewing some built in pillows into your chest - you want to have proper pockets for them to sit in nicely.

Sweetie, when is your revision surgery? Have you set a date? In answer to yor question re drains, my PS puts them in as a precaution, as he sees any undo swelling as deleterious to healing. The right side is where he did the most revision, digging around for that nerve branch, which he was able to cut his time, so one of the drains there had stuff in it for a week, and the others dried up  a few days afterwards. Better safe than sorry! I'll see the PS in two months and then we'll talk about nipple/areola surgery. I am still a bit gun shy after my last two anesthesiologists, who were not my favorites. I'm sure by the time I see the PS in June I'll be raring to go for it. The size increase from 375cc to 425 is negligable, yet I can tell they are a bit bigger, no big deal. I still seem to fit into my clothes so far. And they keep getting smaller, as the swelling goes down. There are ripples, still, but slight, and I'm sure the PS will take care of them when he does thenipple/areola surgery w/ fat grafting.

Orchidgal-I saw your new pics and you look great! There is a slight increase in size but more importantly it seems like the rippling is greatly reduced. At least you have the option of fat grafting if you should need it. At this time no one in the group I go to is doing it. My Dr did say they are keeping an eye on the FG thing. I know just takes longer for those procedures to be common. I'll keep you posted on my revision.

Kate-big week ahead for you. I hope you get to relax a little too while you're in FL.

Kate-we'll all be thinking of you. It's just great for you to get all the information. No one says you have to do anything now or later, that's totally up to how you feel, but I think just having this other option is wonderful. Enjoy the sun. It's been rainy and dreary all week where I live and we definately could use some.

Well, I went for my pre-op today so I am on for next Tuesday for round two fat grafting, one nip reduction and maybe a scar revision.  It's funny, this is by far, my most minor surgery, but I am the most ambivalent about it, I think because this is the first one that feels "elective".  I guess I know I could leave well enough alone so that weighs on my mind.  Hopefully, it will be worth it.

Kate, you have a very sunny week in FL.  Summer arrived today with a high close to 90 degrees so it should be great on the beaches.  I hope this visit is a success for you and you will gain clarity on whether Dr. K approach is what you need.  Enjoy your vaca.

Determined-its sounds like you had a good second opinion. It is good when they think your first Dr did a good job. Then you know it's nothing they did really. I would probably stay with the first guy. I think round smooth may help a lot and maybe a slightly larger size.

Deekay-I totally understand how you feel about this being "elective" this time, but don't feel bad about it. I consider this still part of the reconstruction process and if something needs to be tweaked then we should do it. Good luck with your upcoming procedures. I'm hoping that takes care of the issues for you!

Lee-cute pic! so jealous over here!! LOL

leeinfl yes you look great in the avatar thing!  So many darn decisions. I am just not sure I can swing going to Florida several times to have it done.  I wish he would come to Chicago and I would be his demo patient as he trains others!

Aw, shucks...thank you!

Sweetie2040 - I am lucky!  I'm such a wimp when it comes to the cold - I grew up with 4 seasons and can honestly say that I don't miss it at all!  If it dips under 80, I get cranky.  Blood must have gotten quite thin after living here for over 20 years.

We have lots of "snow birds" who live down here in the winter months.  Come on down, girl! 

Yes - Happy Easter everyone!

Kate - thank you!  Makes me feel great to be included as one of your "bright spots!".  It was so nice to meet you and your husband.  It's funny, when I read your post I was reminded about something my husband said about a conversation he had with Dr. Khouri when I was in recovery after one of my procedures.  He had mentioned Dr. K talking to him about the psychological effect on women when dealing with breast reconstruction.  I didn't ask much more about it and just assumed it was a more general type conversation about breast cancer and such.  It wasn't until just now that I realized what they must have discussed....wow!  I have a whole new reason to respect the man. Again, I'm so happy we had a chance to meet!