One natural breast, one implant recon? Do they match?

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Lily55
Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
edited June 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

I am seriously struggling, (and bored with myself and know others on here must be bored with hearing it), with how I am 3 years after UMX, and failed fat transfer recon (partial, infection, two more fat transfers but tissue now so tight and my funds run out). I have been told the waiting list for plastic surgery is 4 YEARS and am on this but then I realised that they can only offer lat dorsi (not appropriate for me) and are talking about TRAM or DIEP..........well TRAM is not an option either as have an unstable back so that leaves DIEP, BUT I have vertical scar on belly from hysterectomy, and do not have enough belly fat to even create one third of a breast shape...............so I am realising I am waiting for an impossibility. I don´t want to gain weight as am still overweight and need to lose another stone. So getting enough fat won´t work. I have no choice re surgeon and the team there have never done a recon from the buttocks, where i have ample fat........

So let me get to my key question -

IF I opt for an implant recon on the one side will it ever match the normal breast and look ok? I had radiotherapy and have VERY tight tissue so know that I will need expanders, and that is a concern too. How long do you need expanders for?

Has anyone ever had this done? An implant on one side only from totally flat?

Does the implant look natural?

Are you happy with the result?

Do you look even and matched?

If I go implant route I have to sign myself off waiting list for plastic surgery.............I am worried I may do this (and it took 3 years to even get a referral) and then end up still not happy, well happy is `probably too strong as I don´t think any recon except a "breast" entirely built from fat transfer, looks natural..........with no options left......

All advice and experiences will be welcome. I am in counselling..........I know my response is extreme and I feel a failure for feeling like this but I do...............



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  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited May 2015

    I have an implant on one side and had my natural side lifted. I was 58 at the time of the surgery, and my doctor told me he could not make a new one look like a 58 year old one. Size wise, I would say its a close match. In clothes, I do not think you could know which is which. with no nipple, of course, the implant side is flatter without clothing. So far, I have not opted for nipple reconstruction. When I had my expander, it was higher up than my natural side and that really bugged me. If it had been a matter of size, I could have padded it but its hard to disguise when one is higher than the other one. I had alloderm on the implant side and they are pretty even now. I never considered the DHEP or anything like that because I just wanted to do something that would require the least recovery time. I had the expander at time of mastectomy in July. My exchange was done in December and the exchange surgery and lift were very simple, not painful, quick recovery.

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited May 2015

    THank you so you had no radiation damage to contend with? Alloderm not available here

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  • Mommato3
    Mommato3 Member Posts: 633
    edited May 2015

    I didn't have radiation so I'm not sure if this helps. I had a skin sparing MX with a TE. A couple weeks ago I got an implant in my right and my left side got a reduction/Lift. They both look good. There is a slight difference in the slope of the left on the cleavage side (without a bra on). But my breasts weren't even before all this started. My PS took part of the areola from the left and grafted it on the right. I'll admit that it looked a little freaky right after surgery but now it looks really good. I don't think I'll do a nipple now

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  • angelia50
    angelia50 Member Posts: 381
    edited May 2015

    no radiation here. I really never gave radiation much thought. Orig. I was going to have a lumpectomy but after more testing, it was not possible. I think eventually, I'll have something show up on the natural side and I guess if it does, I will have mastectomy. The reason I say that is it does seem a lot of ladies on here who have had really serious problems with reconstruction, had radiation. I had no problems at all with reconstruction and maybe that was because I didnt' have any damage due to radiation. I hope to never have to have surgery again but I have calcifications on the natural side and with time, I do fear something is going to show there, even if its DCIS.

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  • shanshan
    shanshan Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2015

    this is something I am planning to do as well. A uni MX with plans to have in implant later. I was debating whether to have the TE placed right after the MX or wait til everything heals and then have the TE placed. Does anyone have any thoughts on this

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2015

    I understand TE first is easier but I am no expert, I was given no options at all just told this is the way we do it............

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