anyone truly happy with their one breast recon??

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Notbuyingit
Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
edited November 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a left breast M with TE  & then an exchange with implant with a right breast reduction. I just went to a different PS to get his opinion on the outcome & his recommendations for nipple recon. He suggested i get a lift on my right & a larger implant for my left - as well as the nipple recon - for more symmetry. I have definitely not been happy with the way they turned out - one high & round - the other more droppy & triangular - but sort of figured that was what I was stuck with because of the different makeup of the two.

i guess my question is - do I go in for round 2 hoping for better results? or am I just subjecting myself to more surgery when the chances that I'll be any happier with the way they look are slim to none?

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  • Notbuyingit
    Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
    edited September 2014

    the zero response leads me to believe the answer is, sadly, no 

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  • Akitagirl
    Akitagirl Member Posts: 142
    edited September 2014

    Hi There,

    I am so sorry that you are unhappy with your outcome.  Just for that reason, if I were you, I would try again.  Our self image really plays a huge part in our daily living and you need to be happy with the beauty within and the surface beauty!

    I just saw my BS yesterday for the first time.  As I am also having a unilateral mastectomy, I had a lot of questions about how closely the two would match.  Although I have very small breasts, I really am wondering how they will look with an implant beneath zero breast tissue and an implant beneath normal breast tissue.  However, he reassured me that even if we need to do a little fat grafting, he can get them to match pretty darn close.  As for the nipple, I am requesting a nipple-sparing mastectomy...we'll see if it is successful.  The tumor us sub-areolar and I am guessing we will not get tons of clean margin.  However, I am willing to take that risk and closely watch for any reoccurance.  What is the worst that can happen, another surgery?  I can handle that.  

    Did your BS say anything about how he/she would like to reconstruct the nipple?  

    Hang in there!

    Hugs from Akitagirl

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  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited September 2014

    I had a uni in July and have TE in now with probably exchange in December.  My doctor has told me that if I do not agree to a lift on the natural side, they are not going to match.  He said he can get close but he cannot make a reconstructed breast look the same as a 58 year old natural breast.  I understand what he is saying but have not decided if I will agree to the lift on the natural side.  Having had the mastectomy and knowing how it felt to have to be careful on that one side, I'm not thinking I want both sides to be hurting but I also know this may be the only chance to get both to match because I dont' see me going in later for another surgery.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited September 2014

    Yes I am happy I did left DIEP and right lift. Looks pretty good.

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited September 2014

    I am happy with my left implant and right lift. My PS did an awesome job matching them and with the 3D nipple tattoo I pretty much have a matched set. 

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  • globalgal19
    globalgal19 Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2014

    Hi, I had a TE and implant on the right and reduction and small implant on the left.  NO I don't match perfectly but I'm fine with the results.  No bad at all.  

    Have not been on the board for ages.  What did you decide to do?

    My advice, ask around and/or research for reviews of your PS BEFORE you do anything.  Feel free to get 2nd and 3rd opinions until you feel comfortable. It is YOUR body and you have the last say, no matter what you decide.

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  • Sparkle2014
    Sparkle2014 Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2014

    I am scheduled for my exchange nov 11th and lift to left - my PS and I met yesterday and he mentioned that since I am a very thin person and my skin tissue is thin and that I have no fat tissue that will cover the implant that my implant may have noticeable rippling - going with mentor smooth round 300 cc for this on RT side - well now I am nervous - the TE - yes is hard and sore but at 350cc - at least it is smooth and getting scared that the result may not be what I am hoping for....  he said I may need a 3rd surgery at later point where we can possible discuss fat grafting (farming my own fat maybe from lower tummy or hips, legs etc)... 

    I really would love to hear from anyone else who may be thin and may have gone thru reconstruction and tips you may have - or what your results were too.. thanks so much

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  • globalgal19
    globalgal19 Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2014

    Hi Sparkle, hope you get your answers.  I'm overweight so no help for you.  I can tell you that at least for me, the exchange op was not a big deal.  Easier than the TE.  Will be thinking of you.

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  • Sparkle2014
    Sparkle2014 Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2014

    thank you - I don't know what a rippled implant under your skin would actually look like - to be honest!  it sounds sort of painful, Global did you have exchange to implant on both sides? or lift on one side?  he also told me he will make lollipop incision - around nipple and line down from nipple to bottom of breast - saw picture - he said that the bottom of the stem of the lollipop would have a bunch of stitches and they would smooth out in time - I assume that is a common incision style for a lift - just lift - no implant being inserted on that side...  oh just a lot of details that can feel overwhelming  - maybe I will luck out and end up being happy with the result and not need a third surgery..


     

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  • sandj
    sandj Member Posts: 27
    edited November 2014

    sparkle, I have a uni reconstruction and am thin, but I had a lat flap which helps cover the implant. I had a smaller implant placed on the other side and an implant placed under the lat flap. No rippling, but I have sientra shaped implants which are more cohesive than the mentor rounds. I really like the shape and feel and the symmetry overall is very good. 

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  • Notbuyingit
    Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
    edited November 2014

    global gal, maybe the implant on the reduction side makes the difference...the new PS is planning another slight lift. I don't really care about the size - i just want to even out the height...so i'm not so lopsided without a bra.

    I had a TE and my reconstructed side still is painful - don't know if it's the lymph removal - still sore from the TE - or just the stretched muscle complaining - but i'm definitely discussing it with the PS to see if there is anything he can do for relief. 

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  • Sparkle2014
    Sparkle2014 Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2014

    notbuying it,, your swap surgery and lift was in February and you still have TE pain after implant is in so long?  I thought that TE PAIN  was/is supposed to feel relef at swap?? 

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  • Notbuyingit
    Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
    edited November 2014

    no kidding! the whole process was more painful than they made it out to be. But, like i said, not sure what's causing the lingering pain - my TE was high up in my chest & the implant/expanded breast lays lower & I get pain above - there's an actual indent there & i've been told they can insert some fat there to round it out - wasn't going to do it but maybe if it relieves the pain??

    If you think about it - stretching out your chest muscle & sticking an implant in there would have to have some lasting SE's...just hoping A) it will get better with time & B) after my final surgery I'll feel like it was worth it

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  • globalgal19
    globalgal19 Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2014

    Notbuyingit, so very sorry you are having issues.  Mine recon process was fairly easy.  I just happened to notice yesterday that I still have a BIT of an indentation on the right now with the bigger implant**. Not a big deal tho.  DO feel much better and more normal with the implant than the TE.

    Sure hope you are getting second and maybe 3rd opinions.

    ** I have a small implant on the non MX side.  

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  • Notbuyingit
    Notbuyingit Member Posts: 1,035
    edited November 2014

    globalgal, glad to hear you are doing well! I did have full radiation after my exchange so i know there is the possibility that some scar tissue formed which could be causing some pain - did you have Rads?

    perhaps a small implant in the reduction side would have evened them out a bit as far as height - but i'm hoping the second lift is enough. At this point my expectations are not as high as they once were - reality has set in - I just want it to look good enough to be worth all the discomfort.

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