Implant revision to correct rippling??

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mjh1
mjh1 Member Posts: 445
edited May 2016 in Breast Reconstruction
Implant revision to correct rippling??
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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited March 2015

    I know there must be other people out there experiencing this, although my PS makes me feel like an anamoly at this point.  To make a really long story short, after a BL mastectomy with TE in 2/2014, I finally had my TE replaced with Mentor Memorygel smooth round 425 cc implants in 9/2014.  Two weeks after I started to notice rippling.

    Of course, the PS says "give it time" and "you have thin skin."  Yeah, I got that.  I had a mastectomy.  The rippling was worse in the right boob but also had some mild rippling.  I also told PS I was not too happy with the size as they were only a full B or small C.  Since my original boobies were a small A and aftr all the pain and uncomfort of the TE I wanted a full B.  PS said he would exchange my implants to Mentor Memoryshape (anatomical) 525 implants and place Alloderm to thicken up skin so rippling would not show.  Had that surgery in 12/2014.

    Of course, two weeks after rippling started showing in right boob and now two months after it's really prominent.  It's fine if I'm lying on my back or roll on my left side.  However, as I'm standing up or I roll to my right side the rippling is hideous.  Sent PS an e-mail with a photo attached and captioned it deja vu.  Of course, he replies "give it time; you have thin skin."  So I gave it time.  Two month's time of me every day looking at a boob that looks like nothing was done except I still remember being out of work for two weeks and the pain.  The left boob is perfect.

    I finally go to see him last week just to see what he had to say and also to get a copy of all my operative reports because I feel like he has taken me as far as he could and now I must find someone that has a lot of experince in correcting rippling when Alloderm does not work.  Surprisingly, he actually said he would swallow his pride and speak with other colleagues to see what their thoughts are because he doesn't know why the revision surgery did not work.   By the way, my PS is Board Certified.  I'm supposed to see him next week.  I've read fat grafting sometimes helps.  As i'm 5' and 105 lbs., I don't know if that's an option for me.

    Has anyone else had revision surgery for rippling??  What kind; has it helped?  Know of any PS's in NY that specialize in rippling??


     

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  • farmerjo
    farmerjo Member Posts: 518
    edited March 2015

    Bump!

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited March 2015

    I have rippling in my prophylactic side. My PS solution is to go in at the original incision site and cut away some extra skin to tighten the whole thing up some more. I have not even scheduled the surgery yet. But if I play with my foob and pinch the skin the way he says he will perform the surgery I can see that it should work. I have high profile silicone, but I thought that rippling is a bigger problem with saline implants. My other side was radiated so that side is as tight as a drum. I think we assume that plastic surgery is a science when infact it is not. And PSs do not disclose that in reality many women go back for revisions. Reconstruction is very different from breast augmentation/just jamming some implants under the muscle.

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited March 2015

    inks - that's what my PS first suggested to me that I may need an internal lift but wasn't sure.  Then he told me after consulting with colleagues, they recommended fat grafting.  Hence, why I'll be seeing other PS.  Check your PM's. 

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  • JustKeepFighting
    JustKeepFighting Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2016

    Hey Sister!!

    I too had BL Mastectomy, but didn't get my expanders for another year and a half. The PS just switched mine out last Monday and I woke up already knowing I hated what I saw. I've been through enough breast surgeries to half way know what I'm looking for, even just out of surgery. I'm 5'1 and 105lbs, so we are pretty close in that aspect. Already experiencing rippling and of course had to jump on here to see if anyone else is having like issues. I was wondering if you've found any answers yet and if they've helped. I'm going in on Tuesday to speak with my PS about all my concerns so far, and I'm so afraid of the typical "you have thin skin, give it time" reply. I mean, come on Doc! You knew I had "thin skin" when we met, what's your plan here?

    I sure hope you've found some peace in your journey, above all else your health back!!!



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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited May 2016

    after 6 consults with other PS I did finally find one I was very confident in. It winds up that my pec muscle was over dissected and detached and retracted so I had no muscles coverage of implant medially. Why my first PS didn't bother to tell me this but just kept telling my I have.thin skin is beyond me. Maybe cause he knew a torn pec muscle cannot be reattached.

    Anyway, did have surgery in August that included switching to bigger implants, a lot of!pocket work to tighten up pockets , more alloderm, and a little fat grafting. It really is amazing what a skilled PS can do. Maybe one day ill have a little more FG to fill in a small divot above breast which is just caused by pec muscle being retracted but right now it's not even on my radar.

    I hope u too will find answers u can live with and finally b able to move on. Whatever your PS recommends i would definitely seek a 2nd opinion. Hugs!!

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited May 2016

    I am 4'11" and 105 pounds. I had BMX with expanders followed by 550 cc implants. I had significant rippling so PS went back in and did some fat grafting. Didn't really help. Just 7weeks ago I had more fat grafting plus he tightened up the inside pocket and cut some skin off the inframammary fold to tighten the skin too. It seems to have done a nice job but I'm still not fully 'settled' yet so I can't say for sure. I only see ripples if I'm laying on my side and I lift my arm out in front of me and I'm ok with that.

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