Still Uncomfortable with Implants

Today I went to a bra store that serves women who have had mastectomies. Wow, what a choice of bras, camis, pad inserts, longer bras so they don't bind under the breasts, etc. Because I am still so sore and swollen she was reluctant to sell me something. She said when the swelling goes down to come back.



I learned that my insurance company Blue Cross of Calif allows me to purchase two bras per year and will cover up to $45 for each bra. The store clerk called my BS to get a prescription for the bras, which my doctor faxed over. If the bra is more than $45 I have to pay the additional amount.



Kate I did not go to Nordstoms but will check them out. The clerk today said my best bet right now was to go to Target or Ross and find some cheap comfortable camis to wear until I can really be fitted in a bra. She said the "girls" looked good and the surgeon did a great job! Hee hee, I haven't worn anything revealing yet so I am sure friends and family are curious to know what is under all my sweaters and vests!



Stanzie, when I talk about the upper pole, I do mean the cleavage area. Kate, I've never heard of using ultra sound to break down the scar tissue, but will definitely ask my PT about that. I think just determining my pain is outside has given me a lot more patience these past few days. Boy, I had all kinds of terrible scenarios going on in my head!

Stanzie- No offense but your PS is an a$$.  Who says that to a patient?  I'm sorry you didn't have a more empathetic surgeon.

I think the scar tissue my PT was referring to was the kind that forms under the skin.  I had some form that actually tugs on the implant when I move my arm.  Not really sure if US would have helped with it or not since I discontinued it right away.  Here's what it says abotu US on livestrong.com-

http://www.livestrong.com/article/172706-benefits-of-the-use-of-ultrasound-in-physical-therapy/ 

I think scars can be just as hard to deal with as any of the other recon issues.  I did find this regarding scar treatment-

http://www.livestrong.com/article/256954-how-to-remove-deep-scars/ 

I had my evaluation at the breast cancer rehab place yesterday and definitely have some LE in one arm.  So she's ordering compression sleeves and will start LE therapy twice a week for at least a month and then evaluate at that point.  Needless to say, am upset as I do believe this was completely preventable.  I also have quite a bit of scar tissue that has built up.  No surprise after 5 surgeries.  Just wish they would order PT and LE education (for us and our doctors) automatically after MX and recon.  

Kate...sorry that they confirmed your suspicions, but glad that maybe you can get some relief now.  I don't know where I would be without my physical therapists.  They have been there for me off and on for years for a variety of aches and pains.  They, along with my acupuncturist have been an integral part of my recovery team.  Feel better soon.

i had my second fill this morning she put in 100cc

the first time 160cc i am feeling pretty good  she is going too 550cc is that normal

Hugs to everybody 

kate   Sorry to hear of the LE, but good to know that it will know be taken care of.  I agree about PT and LE education for all BC patients - it should be available to everybody, automatically.  

Oh Kate, I'm so sorry it is all true about the LE and scar tissue, hope the PT and LE people really help!  You are right there should be so much more education on both sides.

Janiceg415

i had a uniMX  when i am done with the fiil i will get my other Breast reduced to match

Kate- my LE therapy has really helped along with the sleeves. Good luck!

Kate, I sent you a PM.

Hi Stanzie, I have not been on in about a week. I too have severe scar issues under my augmented side (good breast lifted). I don't heal well, had revision there once, and scar came back. I went to PS last week, he gave me antibiotic b/c one of my bras really rubbed there. Anway I went to mastectomy store and am now wearing an AMOENA CAMISOLE that is more comfy that any bra I have worn. The damn scar seems to get in the way of everything. PS also said he will not do any more work on me for awhile. Very disappointed. I also purchased last night a silicone sheet (a little costly) since he did not give me any this time, and will try again to help it along. I heard messaging should help. It was so bad that I considered going to a wound/burn specialist if the pain did not clear up. I sincerely sympathize with you. Yesterday I had to go to the cancer center to see my hemo/onc and I asked him if my low red count was the cause of my non healing. He could not answer me.  The healing poorly is just me and I am not a happy camper most days. I once again as I did from the beginning purchased some thick gauze pads to put over the scar area so nothing rubs against it.

Kate, I am sorry to hear that you do have LE. My thoughts are with you.

Hugs to all,

Joanna- Wow!  Where do I start?  First, let me give you a (((hug))) because your PS is a a$$.  He should have discussed what size implants he would be using prior to surgery.  And I'm not sure an 800 cc implant would ever (Ever, EVER) equate to a B cup.  The fact that he only expanded you to 500, and then put in 800, would account for a lot of your discomfort, too.  And if you wanted to go smaller he should have discussed techniques to make that happen.  Women have reductions all the time so it can be done.   I would definitely seek out someone new and have a consult to see what can be done.  Your PS has already discounted your concerns so not sure he'd have your best interests when trying to rectify the problems.  He'd have to admit he had done something wrong and doesn't sound like that's likely to happen.  

Someone recommended that women get something in writing from their PS stating the size and type of implant they're agreeing to.  I think they should also be required to have that size available for us to see and hold.  I think if women realized how large and heavy these implants are they would not ever sign on the dotted line for something that big.  We are not augmentation patients.  We are not trying to be bigger just better.  

Isn't the whole point, too, of the TE's to expand us to the size we want to end up?  I know I got to a point where I told my PS that was the size I wanted to be.  Yet, she still made me bigger than that.  I told her I wanted to end up a small C and ended up a D instead.  How is this right?   

Thanks for the input -- and the hugs! My PS did tell me that he could not "guarantee" that I would be a certain cup size, as he would have to work with what I had. He said if he had gone smaller, I would've had a lot more wrinkling, so he went larger. I just wish he had discussed this with me ahead of time. Looking back on it, I don't really feel that he discussed much of anything with me. I always felt rushed during my appointments, and whenever I brought up how I wanted to look afterwards, he would always be somewhat evasive, saying "You'll be happy with the results. But I can't guarantee what size you'll be." I should've been more assertive, I guess, but honestly, I was more terrified about the cancer than worrying about what would happen during reconstruction. I remember he did show me the different sizes of implants, including a 750 cc one, and I laughed and said, "Absolutely no way am I going that large." Obviously, he wasn't listening. Since it's only been two months since my implant swap, should I give it more time? Will it get more comfortable? Or can I downsize? 

Hi Joanna: My first implant was weight too heavy for me. Constantly dragging it along with me used to call it my football.  That was in Oct. 09, in Aug. 11 he did reduce the implant. Still uncomfortable but much better than what it was. He will do the revision, just ask him, you have to let him know that it is too heavy. I am having other issues, but all in all, the brick feeling is gone. He also lifted the other good side as well.

Hugs,

Kate/All: I agree. Why can't PS's show us a computer generated image? That would take the guessing game away. Anyone heard anything about this? Is it happening somewhere in the world?

After my reconstruction surgery and swap for silicone implants, when I first shopped for a push-up bra (as opposed to the compression bra I'd worn immediately after), I was shocked and horrified to find I'd gone from a B cup to a D cup. I almost started to cry in the department store dressing room. 

After all that we go through -- the shock of a cancer diagnosis, further tests and biopsies, asking for time off work, telling family/friends, scheduling surgeries and appts, undergoing surgery, and possibly having chemo and radiation, let alone -- for some like myself -- being pushed into early menopause -- we deserve to look how we'd like to look after all is said and done!