Implant troubles

Hi Mamaseeta,

We don't have any advice, but we just want to say we are so sorry for all you're going through! What a ride... We're thinking of you and hope you have an easy, healthy solution soon!

We're sure others will be by shortly to offer their experiences. Hang in there!

--The Mods

Sorry for all your setbacks mamaseeta...it seems like some of us tend to take the long way around whether we want to or not. I just had my second TE removed on my left side due to a pseudomonas infection...very troublesome as I am a lucky one in that my DCIS was taken care of with my BMX and required no chemo or radiation...so I was thinking the reconstruction will be a piece of cake...well the right side has been, but the left side where the cancer was has been riddled with problems...think I may be looking into a 6 mo. rest instead of 3 mo. the first time around...or possible tramp flap...love my PS and just hope u have a trusted crew to work with. I too had a blistering spot brought about from my thin skin due to my infection, which was purplish underneath and was very scarey...to be leaking thru your skin! My PS has been very perplexed with me also as I SHOULD be one of his easier cases...staph and pseudomonas are nasty infections that seem to have many drs perplexed as to how to treat them as they have become immune to many antibiotics...I have been on cipro for over a month this past episode...I wish u luck and I think if u keep looking thru the many different posts u will find many woman like yourself with many encouraging words...wishing u health and success on your reconstruction....keep me posted!   

so sorry that you had to have your implants out....sounds all too familiar...drainage was milky with mine too...just hope your cultures come back negative...it was your actual implants that needed to be removed, not TE's? You don't realize how crappy you feel until you have the object removed from your body...hope the cipro does the trick for you...I am also playing the waiting game for 6 mo. this time and will try again in nov.....back to square one when I had my BMX.....maybe we need a good amount of time to let our bodies heal...everyone is different, but I plan on pursuing this til I get a matching left breast for my right....at least your breasts match ... wishes for health and healing...keep us posted!

So TE´s and implants cause infections and problems and so do autologoous reconstructions, so precisely what so those of us who NEED reconstruction do to feel reasonably normal again?

I don't know about the alloderm for me because I had no problems whatsoever with my right side...just the left...which again was the cancer side...I am sure some people have problems with it though...just as they do with any foreign body....so many different circumstances...unfortunately with so many woman diagnosed with breast cancer. mammaseeta...too funny you have started with nice soft light pillow forms...this second time around  that is what I am looking for for the summer....my "  real " looking and feeling prosthetic is hot and heavy....at least we can choose what we feel like for that day!     keep up the positive attitude and take your time to do what is right for you...my nurse navigator thinks sometimes immediate reconstruction is too much for some of us and is encouraging delayed reconstruction for some...it would be a dull world I we were all the same....easier, but duller!  Health and healing going out to all of you! 

Hi Patricia,

My PS issuing what it's called fat grafting. The procedure it's basically he does liposuction to the areas of the body warrantythat are stubborn to weight loss - the abdominal the hips or the buttock. the fat is removed, sterilized than placed in the breast. this procedure takes some time though.

Pros: it is your own body tissue so the body does not reject it. The pectoral muscle does not have to get cut. You get a tummy tuck

Cons: The procedure takes a few months to complete because the fat grafting is not done all at once.

This is the reconstruction route i am probably going to do.

My PS is rehearsed in this procedure but it is nor a common procedure among PS.

I hope this helps toy and if you have any questions I'll try and help you.

Just wanted to add, there are many of us who had no reconstruction and are doing well.  No recon is an option to think about.

Dear macb04 and All,

Had unilateral mastectomy July, 2013 for Stage 0 DCIS.  Did not reconstruct. MRI/mammograms have been negative since. Took no radiation, chemo or drug therapy. I recently decided to reconstruct, and the tissue expander surgery was Friday, June 29, 2015. Accomplished with iv sedation and outpatient (my decision), this is the most pain I have ever experienced - 10 times worse than my mastectomy which I recovered from fast and was driving 5 days later. Each day is getting somewhat better starting with debilitating excrutiating pain, now downgraded to just awful annoying pain. Plastic surgeon said only 1-2 fills needed for my breast size and small frame and exchange surgery/breast lift & augment on contralateral breast will be performed in 4-6 weeks. I have heard the tissue expander surgery is the worst part and that the implant transfer surgery will be way easier.  Taking pain pills and Cephalaxin (which upsets my stomach), but necessary. Any idea on how long this pain lasts and any tips to get through it? Thank you.

Hi Stingraysusan, and all here. My implant exchange is planned for August 6th. Will be getting my silicone implant placed over my pectoral muscle. Still worry about infections as I have had them twice in the past. My PS is a great guy, he has agreed to get me 5 grams Vitamin C in my IV during my surgery. I am starting antibiotics the day before surgery and doing Hibiclens everyday before the surgery . Am getting Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy started today, have 10 visits before surgery and 10 more afterwards to help with healing because I had such bad radiation fibrosis damage. Am also having them leave in the IV port for 1 day so I can get more Intravenous Vitamin C the day after my surgery at my Naturopath. Doing everything I can think of to have this be a safe, sucessful surgery. Wish me good luck.

Hello! I am hoping someone can help me ... I had an expander placed at the same time as my mastectomy almost five years ago in September, 2010. I live in an extremely remote, very hot (average 90 F or 36 C daily temperature) area which has no cancer treatment available and have been traveling 3,500 kms. to see my oncologist every six months. I never had the gradual expansion performed, but had my large breasts replaced with one much smaller expander, and the other, non-cancerous side, reduced to more or less match. The silicone side hurt for over two years, but the specialist said this is normal. I have never comfortably been able to wear a bra for more than an hour ... About two months ago, I had a red area in my left armpit which I thought was due to a problem with my deoderant. But, since then, the area under my implant (the fatty part which goes to the armpit) is quite swollen. I have had this problem before, but it has always been only for a few days. Not this time ...

Could this swelling be fat or a lymphedema problem because it is even hotter than usual or more cancer? Has anyone else ever had anything like this or has problems wearing a bra? I am very worried, but have to wait until September to see my dr. ... My right side (the reduced, non-cancerous side) is fine ... I am trying not to worry, but it is difficult ... And I am seriously considering having the implant removed ...

teacherjp - thank you so much for your reply! The red actually went away after two days of the swelling. The swelling seems to have gone down a bit and doesn't hurt. It seems to go down a bit more after I swim a little. I think you are right about me having the implant removed ... after 5 years of being uncomfortable, perhaps it is time. I had no idea about the possibility of sepsis!!!!!!! Nothing is explained here and the surgery happened so quickly and without my opinion. I am scheduled to see the mastologist and oncologist on the 2nd of September and will have my annual scans and breast ultrasound on the 28th of this month. I wish that five years ago when I had the mastectomy and reduction of other breast that they would just have removed them both! It is way too hot here to have uncomfortable boobs of any kind! Thanks again and all the best!