Is your scar area flat?

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Marie711
Marie711 Member Posts: 87
edited August 2015 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

I see scars on line and they look flat. I have a ridge that runs from the middle chest to under the arm that is hard. Right above the scar. Has anyone else had that and does it eventually flatten out? I tried googling photos but can't find any photos like it. Surgery was about 7 weeks ago.

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Comments

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited August 2015

    Not sure but maybe you're descibing "cording"

    http://www.lymphnet.org/membersOnly/dl/reprint/Vol...

    I had some mild cording on one side. I went to a physical therapist & it went away after on treatment

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  • Marie711
    Marie711 Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2015

    The middle "ridge" is really hard/ firm underneath and tight??

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited August 2015

    Marie, your surgeon left extra skin.

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  • cwayman650
    cwayman650 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2015

    Marie,

    I also had the same thing as you. I was told by my pt. navigator that my scars and chest would change for the whole first year after surgery. I just yesterday noticed that my 'ridges' are finally flattening out more. After time, hopefully yours will too. It just takes time to find out what you will end up with.


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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited August 2015


    I have a ridge of excess skin, left by my BS who mistakenly thought I was having recon.  Is it possible that yours is excess  skin?

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  • Marie711
    Marie711 Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2015

    I don't think it's extra skin, it feels like it has a muscle or band of hard tissue under the skin. I had a photo earlier but took it off because someone on another post said photos were not allowed. .?? I have not found that in the rules yet, anyone know about posting photos?

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited August 2015


    Not sure about that rule, people post pics of kids and pets and stuff, but I don't think they post pics of scars.  Hopefully someone else can tell you that.  or PM the mods.

    I would go back to your surgeon or other doctor for a check on it. Have you seen an LE therapist? It's a good idea to get baseline measurements before something starts up (hopefully never) and if it is cording, the LE therapist could help you with that.

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited August 2015

    I know you can post photos of your cat etc, but that photos of oneself posted asking for peoples's opinions, especially regarding diagnosis are usually removed. Check with the moderators.

    It is always better to ask a physician/qualified person who is able to do a proper physical exam. Even doctors are hesitant to make diagnoses on photographs alone.

    I was also wondering if your surgeon had left surplus skin for possible future reconstruction. If the area feels hard, are you doing scar massage? If you are not sure, try visiting a physiotherapist?

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited August 2015

    I had reconstruction, then after two years, deconstructed. I'm left with a band of alloderm (cadaver skin) used as a sling to support the implants. The alloderm could not be removed because it incorporated into my muscle and skin so I'm left with something similar. I don't know if you are having reconstruction in the future, but perhaps its something similar?

    Amy

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  • happynewyorker
    happynewyorker Member Posts: 39
    edited August 2015

    I have scars from them removing my lymphoid nodes. From having a lift and from them removing the implant. My skin is bunched up. But my plastic surgeon said over time it will flatten. Which is fine. I had the implant removed about 6 weeks ago.

    I can tell you I have aches and pains, but I heard it's the healing process and the nerves growing.

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  • aunt_paula
    aunt_paula Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2015

    I have the same thing, and it kind of ticks me off because I told the surgeon not to leave anything (I did not do reconstruction). My surgery was a little over a year and a half ago. I plan to have a revision done at some point, but am trying to lose weight before I have it done.

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  • amygil81
    amygil81 Member Posts: 165
    edited August 2015

    My original mastectomy scar was flat. I insisted that the surgeon not leave any extra skin for recon, because I wouldn't be having it. He didn't initially want to, saying, "You're only 33, you'll change your mind," but I insisted. I was sad to lose the sensation from my nipple, but (eventually) I was fine with my nice flat scar that meant my cancer was gone.

    Then 9 years after my mastectomy, my BF found a lump under my scar, and I was dx with a chest wall recurrence. My surgeon had to take out about half of my pect major to get clear margins. He also took out my level 1 nodes, of which 3 were positive. Now my chest is concave where my breast used to be, and I'm down to the bone in one spot. I call it my "upgrade surgery", to a "semi-radical". I try to be OK with it. It's sometimes hard to get fitted for a foob, as not many ladies have this kind of surgery. But as my BF says as he helps me hop in and out of the shower: "You may not be all there, but you're still here." True that.

    Hope this helps, Amy

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  • Ringelle
    Ringelle Member Posts: 240
    edited August 2015

    Thought I'd chime in on this "ridge." My BS calls it "God's Underwire." I am planning to have recon in the near future but I am delaying it. When my BS was telling me his plan he had me feel what was and wasn't breast tissue. He said the PS may remove some of the ridge at recon but that he will be happy it's there. BS also left quite a bit of skin. I actually look like I have the same bust shape as my budding 10 year old!

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