IMPLANTS REMOVED: YAY!

I'm curious if anyone here was diagnosed with post-mastectomy pain syndrome? If so, did you have your pain relieved by removing your implants? The closer I get to my April 9th surgery date for fat grafting, the more I feel I should just bite the bullet and get these darn things removed once and for all instead of trying yet another procedure.

Amy

GRRRRRR...... I wanted to see what the "flat look" surgery would consist of, so I went to the PS appointment I already had scheduled today.  I should have known better!!!!  I talked with a PS that my first surgeon recommended to make me flat.  I should have known better!!!!  I took my husband with me for support and we both came out of that appointment just livid!!!!  He took all my information and then asked me what size breasts I wanted to have after surgery.  I came unglued!!!!  I went from nice to b**ch in about 3.2 seconds.  He was very apologetic and said all he did was reconstruction and didn't do the "flat look".  After he left his nurse leaned down and whispered a name of a Doctor who did do the "flat look" and told me that she tells women about this other Doctor all the time.  I will probably call her in about 3-6 months.  WOW I didn't really need this today. 

I could use your prayers as well -- my mother has had a massive heart attack and is in ICU on a respirator and I am heading home to South Missouri in the morning to be with my brothers to possibly take her off life support, depending on the outcome of her tests for brain function.  They think she had the heart attack because of the blood clots in her lungs and heart.  Prayers, please. 

Nomatterwhat, thinking of you. I am so terribly sorry to hear about your Mother, I wish you a safe trip, what a dreadful time. (((Hugs to you)))

nomatterwhat - so sorry about your mother. Praying for your comfort and enlightenment.

Thanks for the prayers ladies, but we are not out of the woods yet.  She had gone code blue several times and when they get her stable she goes into A-fib.  She still cannot talk and we have no idea, if any, what damage has been done.  While I was there, my eldest brother informed me that he is having surgery Tuesday on his knee for cancer in his muscles and will be doing rads.  He is the only one that can make decisions for her as she is incapacitated and cannot sign a Durable Power of Attorney at this point.  The doctor knows he will be having his surgery and suggested we keep her sedated for the day.  So, I will be headed back down next week to sit with her while he has his surgery and then my next eldest brother will be there the next day.  And to top off the day, my cousin will be having a double mastectomy later in the week.  And on that note, it has been a long couple of days and I am going to bed. You ladies are the best!!!!!

nomatterwhat    That is a lot on your plate.   Sending you hugs and positive energy.

I have spent the last 2 weeks mulling over my decision to go with just fat grafting to relieve the tethering my new PS suggests I might be struggling with. It doesn't feel right in my heart - every time I think of making the decision to just have my implants removed and go flat, I get such a sense of relief and know, deep down it's the right thing to do. Therefore, I called the PS office and spoke to his nurse. I said I am going to go through with the April 9th fat grafting, but also want my implants and excess skin removed. She said if my PS has any questions, he'll call, otherwise I feel like the weight of the world has been lift off my shoulders or rather chest. I know deep down it's right for me. Besides, when I watch Downton Abbey it appears the ladies of DA do their best to hide their breasts and looking flat looks rather stylish. Now I'll start searching second hand stores for 1920's fashions! Wow, I just feel so relieved.

Amy

Sounds like you had a rough day.  Glad you and your brother made it home and Mom is doing OK.

Hi AmyQ,

Glad you've reached a decision you feel good about. Please let us know how everything goes!

Hi JV2,

It sounds as if having reconstructed breasts has been very important to you. I'm sorry you had to go through so much with expanders only to have them fail. Given your Stage III diagnosis, with chemo in addition to the bilateral mastectomy and repeated expander problems, no wonder you're feeing beaten down. I think some of us truly don't feel as strongly as you the desire to replace our breasts with reconstructed ones. I never felt my breasts defined me. For me, at least, this made it easier for me to choose no reconstruction. I wear breast forms, so no one can tell in clothes that I don't have breasts.

Unlike most of the women on this thread, I chose non-reconstruction right from the get-go. I think many women who've had implants and then had them removed without further reconstruction have suffered from pain for a long time. So, their priority is simply feeling as pain-free as possible and if that's achieved by implant removal, they're often very happy.

In your case, with the lat flap surgery as an option, you may yet be able to have a successful reconstruction. Bear in mind, though, that lat flap surgery can sometimes lead to weakness in the back, due to loss of muscle. Not a surgery to be undertaken lightly.

One thing I'd suggest is that you focus on healing, gaining some weight, and seeing how life is for you over time when you're flat. Not everyone who's thin winds up with a concave chest (that may be the result of the expanders compressing your ribs), but even with concavity, you can find comfortable silicone breast forms that will fill in the concave area and look great with clothes on. Some women prefer slightly weighted foam forms, which also can look completely natural when you're dressed.

Given how depressed you've been feeling, perhaps seeing a therapist would be helpful. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Who knows if drains will be needed after the removal of my silicone implants?

Thanks

Amy

Yes Glennie, this PS is removing excess skin but drains will be a very small price to pay after these hellish two years. Thank you for your input. When I meet the doc in a couple of weeks, I'll ask.

Amy

Glennie, I went back and reviewed earlier comments in this thread. I confirmed Betty did have drains for only 1 week and she had an overnight stay in the hospital. Not sure I will be staying overnight but again, one night is nothing, if it comes to that.

Thanks and have a great weekend.