Thinking about revision

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mebmarj
mebmarj Member Posts: 380
edited April 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Had lumpectomy, chemo & rads over 10 years ago. Then had a new primary, BMX, hyst & chemo with delayed recon (TE to implants) the next year. After 2 1/2 years with the implants, I'm pretty sure they have "settled" and I'm not thrilled. I have no cleavage- think it's called symmastia where my implants actually meet in the middle. I have discomfort(with sleeping, activity & clothes), dents on the side, and perhaps capsular contraction.

I have an appointment with a new PS for a consult. This has always been a place to get great advice and I appreciate your thoughts.Is revision covered by insurance? Any suggestions or similar situations?

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  • BostonNorthWest
    BostonNorthWest Member Posts: 19
    edited April 2015

    Hi mebmarj,

    I just saw your post and some of your history is similar to mine. 10 years ago I had lumpectomy, chemo, herceptin, and rads for Stage 1 ER-PR- but Her 2+++. Two years ago discovered I was BRCA + and had both ovaries removed and last year had phop bilateral mast with TEs to implants.

    I had to have 1 of the TEs replaced due to infection then after exchange developed another infection requiring IV antibiotics and a week in the hospital.

    Now the implants seemed to have "moved" or shifted. I have no cleavage and have the appearance of a uniboob, which I think is called symmastia. I look ridiculous in clothing with or without a bra. At night it is so uncomfortable to sleep as the implants seem to side under my arm pits if I sleep on my back, or squish each other if I sleep on my side.

    Since your post is over a month old I'm assuming you have already met with your new PS. Please let me know what the plan of action is as I have an appointment in May with my PS to discuss this issue. I'm not sure what to do, would a revision work or would there be additional scarring, etc.

    I chose the implant surgery over DIEP because it was a shorter or easier recovery. I also wasn't aware that the failure rate was so high with implants after radiation. I'm not sure what my decision would have been if I had this information.

    Has anyone experienced issues with implants moving toward each other?

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks

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  • mebmarj
    mebmarj Member Posts: 380
    edited April 2015

    I did meet with the new PS. It is symmastia, basically the 2 pockets were either disected too much during surgery or too big of implants were placed and the pectoral muscles released. Either way, I woke up like that but had 2 distinct turtles with the TEs, so...

    He said it is very uncommon in his practice, it just doesn't happen to his patients but he has helped women who had it due to another dr's work. We are planning for surgery during the summer to go back to square 1. Take out the implants. Repair the muscles, possibly place some matrix tissue and special TEs. Heal for about 6 weeks with me doing NOTHING, so that the muscles are not at risk. Then if things look good we start fills.

    It's frustrating the discomfort, sleep issues and clothing issues that have been the norm for more than 2 years. I just believed the first PS that it happens to some people and it might get worse if you try to fix it. I'm thinking now, he may not have been confident enough or realized he just couldn't fix it.

    Hope you hear some hopeful news also :)

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

    One of the recent episodes of Botched featured this issue. You might see if you can DVR it

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