IMPLANTS REMOVED: YAY!

Erica3681 · March 2015

Actually, I was referring to the latissimus dorsi (lat flap) flap procedure, which takes muscle directly from your back. I think that's the option that JV2 was referring to. If you're very thin, as JV2 said she is, it's sometimes the only flap procedure offered.

However, you're certainly right that the tram flap procedure can lead to back problems. I have a good friend who had a tram flap a number of years ago and has serious back problems as a result. When they take muscle from the abdomen, this puts pressure on other muscles to compensate and sometimes back issues result. This is why tram flap is rarely offered these days, since the DIEP flap and other microsurgeries are preferred, as they move tissue and flat but not muscle.

Bettyboops · March 2015

Hi Erica,

Yes, I certainly have my flaps confused! Thanks for clearing that up. Honestly, I can't remember what kind of flap my first PS was talking about. I knew I didn't want areas of my body cut and pulled toward my breast area so, that combined with my bad lower back, did not make me a good candidate for any muscle flap procedure.

Best,

AmyQ · March 2015

Met with my PS and discussed my final decision to have implants removed...for good. We discussed the need or lack thereof for fat grafting. I am happy to hear he thinks it's not necessary. He also thinks I am making the right decision for me. He is such a good listener and feels that after two hour long visits he agrees with my reasoning, my frustrations and my argument for having the implants removed, skin reduced and move on. Whether I get a drain or not will depend on how he feels my skin and muscle are behaving but a drain is the very least of my problems. He said he'd keep me in overnight and release me the next day and if I have a drain(s) it won't last longer than about 4 days. So now...counting down the days to April 9th -

YAY - I can't wait to say I've gone flat and very happy I did.

Amy

farmerlucy · March 2015

Amy! So excited for you. Can't wait to see what you think

glennie19 · March 2015

Amy, so glad to hear that you have a final plan and a date!

Congratulations!

AmyQ · March 2015

When a decision just feels right, you go with it. I'm almost looking forward to this as much as vacation...crazy, huh?

Amy

Ariom · March 2015

Amy, I am so pleased you have the understanding of your Surgeon and you've managed to weigh up everything and have made this decision.

I can totally understand how you're excited and seeing this as a really positive thing.

All the best!

Nomatterwhat · March 2015

Gosh, Amy, can I borrow your surgeon? A surgeon that listens to you -- imagine that.

AmyQ · March 2015

Ladies, you have been so helpful and supportive, thank you! Now I'm wondering who wears prosthetics and what kind? They seem expensive and I'm having a hard time figuring out if the price quoted online is a for a single. I think so. I'm drawn to the Amoena brand but would love to hear reviews, pros and cons of whatever you use. I have three new mastectomy swimsuits that will accommodate prosthetics but wonder if the general insert will work or due to salt water and chemicals, I need to purchase specific inserts made for water. I tend to wear a lot of form fitting sweaters in the winter so would definitely use prosthetics then but would love your experiences regarding when you do and don't use them.

I sleep in a compression cami right now but I imagine that might change after I have my implants removed. Again, I'd love your experiences with what you sleep in.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories.

Amy

Nomatterwhat · March 2015

Amy, I just bought a pair of Nearly Me foam Triangles and a compression bra to go with them. They are much lighter weight than my silicone ones, so I will probably wear them in the summer time.

I actually sleep in a breast binder at night. I have terrible hot flashes during the night, so I can't sleep in anything to heavy.

Ariom where are you when we have a sister in need of advice for foobs??

AmyQ · March 2015

Ariom · March 2015

Here I am Nomatterwhat! just getting up here in Aus at 9am Sunday morning! LOL

Hello Amy! There are so many choices out there, but if it is at all possible we always suggest going to a fitter, if there is one near you.It can be a bit hit and miss if you haven't been fitted and don't know what style of form is best for you. There are light weight post surgery forms, in foam or microbeads, foam lightly weighted forms and silicone, which now come in slightly different weights. When you see forms online, they are always quoted as the price for 1, but there is often a discount when you buy 2.

I don't want to confuse you too much, right at the beginning. There is a great thread called All things Bras and Prosthesis, where there is lots of information about different forms, bras and clothing, that are available.

If you have insurance, it is worth investigating what your allowances are. I know nothing about the US system, but know some women have extremely generous allowances, for all types of Mx wear.

I wear a lot of Amoena products and find them to be very high quality. We don't have a lot of different brands available here in Australia. I have their Mx bras, swimwear and clothing, which all comes with a built in bra, which holds the different types of forms.

I do lean toward a couple of items, which are my favorites and they are the Tru Life, light weight foam form. The Amoena Valletta Camisole, I love the Mona and Marlena Bra, by Amoena as everyday bras. I do haves several silicone forms that I alternate too.

The Tru Life Aquaflow, is a very comfortable light weight, microbead form for swimming and the Amoena Aquawave swim form is a heavier, clear silicone form for swimming that works very well too. Although you can use some of the standard silicone breastforms in the water, I have never done that.

I like to check out metromedicalonline for sales and generally good prices on almost everything available. They do an everyday price on a pair of the Tru Life 611 lightly weighted forms that I favor for $72.00 and they post for free and send the US forms for claiming on insurance.

In saying that, I would still urge you to try to get a fitting first, because although many of us do have the light weight forms, they are much cheaper than the silicone, so if you only get one pair through insurance I would suggest you go for the silicone with that allowance and if you can afford the foam forms, buy them yourself.

I hope some of this may help you, come on over and read the All things bras and prosthesis thread, there is so much info over there to help with these choices.

All the best!

Nomatterwhat · March 2015

Thank you Ariom. I will have to agree that my silicone forms were much more expensive than my foam were. I let insurance buy my three mastectomy bras and my set of silicone forms. I bought one compression bra today and one set of foam foobs. The foobs were only $22 each.

Ariom · March 2015

No problem! Nomatterwhat.

In Australia we get 1or2 forms reimbursed through the Government every 2 years, to the value of $400 each. A silicone form here costs upward of $450.00, we pay the shortfall. If we have private health cover we can usually get the shortfall refunded too. That is why I buy most of my things on the internet, in the US, even with postage, I get a much better deal.

What kind of foam forms did you get for $22.00 each? Are they weighted foam? I have a problem with the really light foam riding up, on my Umx side. I end up looking like Quasimodo, on the front! LOL

AmyQ · March 2015

Thank you both for this very useful information. I never thought there could be problems like riding up from light weight forms, so will kave to consider this when shopping.

Looks like my next appt will be to a fitter. That sounds like great advice.

Thanks so much.

Amy

glennie19 · March 2015

Amy, there is a way to make swim poofs from a bath poofie. It has been done by many on here. Let me find that thread and bump it up for you. It is an alternate in case you don't want to buy foobs just for swimming or wear your good foobs in the water.

Nomatterwhat · March 2015

Ariom, they are the Nearly Me foam triangles. I don't think they are weighted. I wore them this morning out to breakfast and to the grocery store in my new compression bra (which I hate), but they do work well as nothing can move in that bra. My husband tells me I have "young" boobs again. And I remind him, I liked my old saggy boobs!!!!! I haven't tried them in one of my mastectomy bras yet, but I will let you know.

Amy, I have another set of the foobs with the removable stuffing and since I am not flat on the right side, that one always seems to find its way under my arm. I don't like them in any bra I have, so I put them in an old sock and my granddog uses them as a throw toy when she comes over. I paid good money for those, someone should get some use out of them!!!!!

Ariom · March 2015

Thanks for that Nomatterwhat, that's a good price and if they work with what you've got....bonus! Haha Yep, I liked my old boob too!

You made me laugh out loud about the toy for your GDog, that's creative recycling!

Bettyboops · March 2015

Hi AmyQ,

I've been away for a bit and am just catching up with your wonderful news!! I know exactly what you mean about looking forward to getting the implants removed - a good sign it was the right decision. I couldn't wait. I was so anxious to have it done but in a good, fun way - not in a fearful way. So different than the first time around! Great your doc could read what was best for you! My second opinion PS was great for me too! So glad I went for that second opinion.

Don't worry about the drains, they are an annoyance but they are there to remove excess fluid so you don't get infections and such. Look at them as helping to keep you free of any such complications.

You know, I think you would love the All things bras and prosthesis thread! I can tell you are excited about buying your foobs and foob clothing. I love it too! I agree with everything Ariom has said too you in a recent post. Go to a fitter now, make the connection before surgery. Then she will see you 6 weeks after the surgery(I rushed it to 4 weeks because I couldn't wait) and fit you with a couple of bras and light weight foam forms and weighted leisure foam forms. The fitter will also plan to have you fitted for a custom prosthesis if you want after 6 months. I learned a lot from the first fitter appointment. Then I could have a meaningful conversation with the gals here BC.org and understand what the heck they were talking about. Please keep us posted about your surgery and progress. So excited for you!

I'm thrilled - I just bought 2 new Amoena Valettas but I'll post that on All things bras and prosthesis.

Best,

ShazB · May 2015

Bettyboops, in a different thread you mentioned something about nipple-sparing mastectomy without reconstruction, and suggested this thread. I'm wondering if when you had the implants removed, the nipples were spared. That is what I'm thinking about, having only been diagnosed last week, and still awaiting all test results to determine if mastectomy will even be necessary. I'm just trying to gather information at the moment, so I wanted to see what your outcome was, if you ended up without implants but with the nipples spared.

HazelEyes07 · May 2015

Hi Bettyboops,

When you had your implants removed did you have dog ears that required additional surgery? I spoke to my breast surgeon this week about removing both my implants and she said I would have dog ears because of the excess skin. I'm tired of pain, complications and surgeries and trying to figure this all out! Thanks....

Moderators · May 2015

Welcome to the BCO community ShazB and HazelEyes07,

Shaz - We are so glad that you reached out to us in light of your very recent diagnosis and Hazel thanks to you for sharing your story. We hope that you will stay connected here and keep us posted on what follows. This particular thread has not had very recent activity. You can also consider sending members a private message for additional information on their situations. Let us know if you need help with posting. Hope to continue to see you both. The MOds

AmyQ · May 2015

My PS removed a dog ear on my right side where I had excess skin. Now that the implants have been removed there is still some saggy skin along the incision on both sides but he said it would shrink over time. Even if it doesn't, I have to remember my breasts weren't perfect before the BMX so why would I expect perfection now? I'm not happy I had to undergo this in the first place, of course, but I'm happy with the final results and will not undergo any additional surgeries for reconstruction. I'm done!

Good luck to you.

Amy

lmb22 · October 2015

Does anyone know of a really good plastic surgeon in Texas (Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio) who is experienced in taking out expanders and does a good job reconnecting the muscles, getting rid of the scar tissue, and basically leaving you with a nice flat look?

I had a DX just a few weeks ago. I'm short, thin and had very small breasts so I always figured that if I was ever diagnosed with breast cancer, I wouldn't have reconstruction since it wouldn't be that much different than how I naturally was. Well, my world was turned upside down when I got the call about having cancer. Somewhere along the way I forgot my prior thinking and wanted to look as normal as possible after the surgery. I chose to have immediate reconstruction started at the time of the DX. I opted for the implant route, especially since the PS I consulted said it was really my only viable option for reconstruction. I now know that I made the wrong decision and want the expanders out as soon as possible. I'm miserable. Like others, it feels like I'm wearing an iron bra that I can't take off. And these things, though small, feel absolutely horrible. I'm supposed to get the first saline fill soon and I definitely don't want to proceed with that.

Moderators · October 2015

Dear lmb22,

Welcome to the boards.We hope that you will find support and information here that will help you with the decisions that come with breast cancer and treatment. If you don't get any response here then you might consider starting a new topic looking for Plastic Surgeons in Texas or you can do a search of the same under the search button in the blue tool bar to the left. Keep us posted. The Mods

614 · October 2015

Dear Imb22:

Go to Dr. Clemens for plastic surgery and Dr. Black as the breast surgeon, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. They are both outstanding doctors and I highly recommend them. They are wonderful.

Good luck.

glennie19 · October 2015

bumping up for sharapril

glennie19 · February 2016

bumping

ronqt1 · February 2016

Please what is bumping. After all the years I am on the boards, I don't know.

I posted several places re my recent deconstruction of my good boob, leaving nipple area and excess skin. I had a LD Flap in 2014 which is causing great discomfort for me, I still feel like my implant is in, sore, have no clue if I am coming and/or going.

I don't go back to PS until March 22, but I know I will have to call him before, living like this is insane. Back on pain pills (from my primary) which I had saved. Living in slow motion, much pain, discomfort. Another question, I am not completely flat due to LD flap which was a nightmare in itself. If I choose to stay deconstructed does all the skin and nipple area have to be removed. I look like a Sharpei dog.(sic)

Thank you. Again, has anyone had severe pain after deconstructing. Sorry if I am redundant.

glennie19 · February 2016

Bumping is posting on a thread, to bring it back up to the top, so people can see it when it has fallen way down the list. Generally cuz it is a topic that might answer someone's question.

IMPLANTS REMOVED: YAY!

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