IMPLANTS REMOVED: YAY!

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited February 2015

    It was my husband that recognized my depression and anxiety...I guess crying all the time was a pretty sure sign...but even so when my onc asked about my mental health, he piped up and told her directly that I was suffering. She prescribed Lorazepam and it did help, immensely. If he hadn't been with me at that appointment, I think I would have remained "strong" and in denial.

    Amy

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2015

    Hi Nomatterwhat,

    Hmmm, 3 hours seems like a ridiculous amount of time in the medical appointment world. I agree with asking other patients at the same hospital/center if they have done this and how it was beneficial for them or not. I also look at this as a little weird as you have. Maybe it's a new thing but hard to believe that they would spend that much time "going over things." That's longer than my monthly cancer support group meeting! Let us know what you find out.

    Best,


  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2015

    Ladies, I thought I'd post about building up my pecs after implant removal. My implants were removed in June 2014. All the snow that we have in MA is paying off for me personally! I have had to shovel so often that I can feel that my chest muscle strength is coming back big time! I think muscle memory is kicking in. I don't do anything really strenuous but I do the little odd clean up after my DH uses the snow blower and shovels. I've also been religiously shoveling a little 3 feet by 3 feet area by my back door for my little Teddy (picture is my avitar) to do his business. I can feel my back engaging along with my pec and oblique muscles near my waist and sides of my body. It feels do great!!! I had to pass this on. It's like PT forced upon you but I like getting things done, like shoveling, rather than just doing exercises from the physical therapist. Now I'm looking forward to summer and being able to dig in the garden. I never could with my implants. Build up your strength with shoveling!

    Best,


  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited February 2015

    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

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited February 2015

    Amy, I haven't been diagnosed with PMP syndrome but I understand that it can really very painful. I think that it's sometimes hard for women with pain and implants (and for their plastic surgeons) to distinguish between pain caused by PMP and pain caused by issues related to their implants (nerve impingement from the implants and/or scar tissue that's built up around them). Given that, if you do decide to have your implants removed, it's important to find a surgeon who will try to alleviate any nerve issues he sees or suspects while in the process of removing them.

  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited February 2015

    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. 

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited February 2015


    I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, nomatterwhat. My thoughts with be with you and your family in the coming days.

    And I want to scratch that doctor's eyes out. Glad the nurse was nice enough to give you a name.

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2015

    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)))

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2015

    Nomatterwhat, this is the perfect example of what I call a "Dicktor". Just imagine, when the term is finally in the dictionary, his picture will be there as the explanation! LOL

    "I don't do flat" what on earth does that mean? It is like a builder saying, "I don't do windows!"

    All the better, that you won't be dealing with this idiot again, I am sure you'll find someone much better and more professional. I think a lot of these guys are going to get a wake up call, there is definitely a lot more call, for the "Flat Look" than there has been in the past. They need to get with the program!

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited February 2015

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

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2015

    hi nomatterwhat,

    I believe this was all for the best as far as the PS dictor(thanks Ariom). Is concerned. You are meant to find a caring, great surgeon who is not pigeonholed into one way of thinking and doing surgery. Give me a break! I never heard of such a thing! Go to the doc that the nice nurse recommended. Let us know how this all works out for you. Prayers for your Mom.

    Best,

    Bettybo

  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited February 2015

    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!!!!!

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2015

    Nomatterwhat, I am so sorry to hear what you've been through and that there is still more stress for you to come. All I can offer is a hug and to say, come here and let it all out, if you can, we are here to support you, as best we can, from a distance. Take care of you!

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited February 2015


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

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited February 2015

    Hang in there nomatterwhat...Sending prayers your way.

    Best,

  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited March 2015

    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

  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited March 2015

    Wow, what a day!!!  Well, I went to sit with my mother today while my brother had his surgery.  I am exhausted from running around that hospital and I was so hot, that I took my hat off and showed off my "stand up and wave" look.  I thought my nephew was going to fall over from fright.  Anyway, the only stupid thing she said was when her young MALE nurse came in she asked him if he liked my boobs.  Before he could answer or look up from what he was doing, I told him that I had BC and was doing great.  He never did look up and left rather quickly.  But she is alive for now and my brother is home and so am I!!!! 

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


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

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited March 2015

    Oh Nomatterwhat, that was funny, but on a serious note, I am so glad your Mother is doing OK and your brother has had his surgery. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that statement to the nurse!

  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited March 2015

    Hi AmyQ,

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

  • JV2
    JV2 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2015
    Wow, I'm speechless (and I talk a lot). I'm so happy things worked out for you! I'm sort of still enduring the thunderstorm and waiting for the sunshine.

    I was diagnosed three years ago with stage III breast cancer. I saw multiple surgeons before my mastectomy so I could make the right choice. I ended up choosing tissue expanders to be inserted at the time of my 2xmastectomy. In those three years, I have lost most of my hair, my eyebrows/eyelashes, short term memory, have gone through chemo, have had the left expander deflate and be replaced four times and the right one three times. They are always infected and it has sent me to the hospital more than once.

    I found a new plastic surgeon that I like very much who explained that sometimes your body just cannot handle these 'foreign objects' and it is better to use your own body tissue to continue with any sort of reconstructive process going forward. I had a feeling she was going to say something like that, but I still sat there on the exam table and sobbed. My poor husband had no idea how to comfort me.

    Less than a week later, I was having surgery to have both tissue expanders removed. I thought I was prepared, but I wasn't. I'm naturally very thin which made the end result an extremely concave chest. Yay! My doctor said my only option is to have the back flap procedure in a few months. From what I have read, this is a very painful surgery with up to six days recovering in the hospital. I'm afraid of hospitals.

    I'm still recovering from the last surgery and cannot even fathom an even bigger surgery coming up. My doctor says I need to gain quite a bit of weight, or at least work on it before the next surgery. Easy to say when my biggest accomplishment these days is showering, putting on clean sweats, and finding my beloved teddy bear slippers. Not trying to by a downer here, but all of the posts are so awesomely positive, and I'm so depressed. When does it change? You guys out there are fantastic! I know, time heals all wounds, etc., etc. Help, anyone?
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited March 2015

    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!


  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited March 2015

    JV2 - I have some spare fat I'd be willing to donate

    In all seriousness though I can feel pain in your message above. I do hope you are able to get resolution and satisfaction, soon. For me, I've suffered with painful implants for over 2 years and now, finally, have surgery scheduled to remove them once and for all. Please keep us posted on how you're doing, and good luck.

    Amy

  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited March 2015

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

    Thanks

    Amy

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    hoping someone has a definite answer for you, Amy,, but surgeon will be removing excess skin, right?   When I had PS consult about just removing my excess skin,, he told me that I would need a drain for that. Sooooooo, it's possible. 

    Hopefully Betty will pop by and tell you if she needed drains. 

  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited March 2015

    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

  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    Agree, Amy,, small price and temporary.  Drains are not so scary now that we have experience with them. Keep us posted.  We will be in the bag for you!!

  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited March 2015

    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.

  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited March 2015

    Hi Amy Q,

    Yes I had drains but only two for the implant removal. I had 6 (3 on each side) for the damn bmx and expander placement surgery. Ugh! Two were in inconvenience but not such a big deal as 6. The biggest thing is that my doc said no shower until drains come out in a week. I tried to get them out sooner but doc wouldn't budge. Really, it is for the best. The drains remove any excess fluid which can wreak havoc with your tissues. You can get infections or it could contribute to swelling and possible lymphedema but I'd have to confirm that. Drains are there to protect you and get that fluid out. I'm so happy for you Amy!! I was so excited to go into the implant removal surgery. I wasn't unhappy or scared or anything, just anxious to get it DONE! I hope you feel the same because it makes it a lot easier if you are psyched for surgery. Please keep us posted!

    Best,


  • Bettyboops
    Bettyboops Member Posts: 239
    edited March 2015

    Hi JV2,

    I concur with Erica that tram flap can ruin your back strength for the rest of your life. They did not even consider it for me because I have a bad lower back. Dear JV2, you sound like you have been beaten down...I felt like that when I went in to talk about my implant removal. The doc wanted me to consider DIEP flap- a huge surgery like the tram flap - 7 days in the hospital. I told him I did not have the strength and had no desire to have more areas of my body cut up for fake breasts that will NEVER be like the real thing. Please think carefully about the cost of more extensive surgery as there are many hidden costs besides the money. If it is of paramount importance to you to have reconstructed breasts then I guess it's worth it for you in the end. But I would agree again with Erica that you should get your foundation of health strong before considering more extensive surgery. Also, keep in mind that often times these natural tissue reconstruction surgeries are not just one surgery. Sometimes, more than one surgery is needed to get the desired result. Please take care of yourself. Get some sleep, build up with good nutrition and give yourself some time to think on this. All I can say is that I am so happy to be off the surgical merry-go-round and I feel like I am slowly getting my health and life back. I don't even think about breasts at all anymore. I have moved on to being concerned about my family and my career and how to live well for the rest of my life. Give things some time and you will get stronger and come to a decision about how you want to move forward. We are here for support. Prayers to you!

    Best,

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