My story...tonight

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MusicianfromMaine
MusicianfromMaine Member Posts: 2
edited January 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi, I'm so glad to have found this group as I sit in the hospital with massive amounts antibiotics coursing through my system, with hope that I can save my right breast nipple and implant.

The back story: 61 yo BRCA 2+, oophorectomy 1999, finally made the decision to do the pbm after many years of surveillance. Did the research, found the bs and ps of my dreams, went to surgical ward on Dec. 28 for pbm with immediate direct to implant, nipple-sparing surgery. Pretty straightforward, right? WRONG. So here I sit 9 days later, with cellulitis in my right breast, the strong possibility of returning to the OR tomorrow to lose my implant and nipple. I went in with a healthy body and breasts, and I'm coming out with, well, maybe no right breast.

I count my blessings that I am able to have prophylactic surgery and that I'm not facing cancer. So many of you have/are. But, nonetheless, I'm pretty devastated by this turn of events. I'm trying hard not to second-guess my decision, but that's hard, too.

I'm going to wake up tomorrow with hope that there's less red on the right, which will buy me some more time this weekened for more helpful cocktails. If not, I'll be going into the OR on a Saturday in Portland, Maine with a doctor who is on call (and not MY surgeon). Please send good thoughts for a less-red right breast. THANKS!

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited January 2017

    so sorry to hear. Praying for a turn around.

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  • gracie22
    gracie22 Member Posts: 229
    edited January 2017

    So sorry you are going through this, and hope that the antibiotics work and you can save the implant and plastic surgery. Hospital acquired infection from breast recon is unfortunately very common with implants or expanders (up to 30% from a study that I will spare you unless you want it!)

    I went through the same thing a couple of years ago following a double mastectomy direct to implants. Ironically, it was the non cancer side that developed cellulitis. The good news is that you are getting treatment very early in the game. My breast showed signs of infection immediately post surgery, but a course of oral antibiotics and a surgical removal/antibiotic rinse and replacement of implant calmed things down. All seemed well (I felt fine and the breast looked OK), but then all hell broke loose a month later when the infection resurfaced intensely, landing me in the hospital for a week and on IV antibiotics for 3 weeks. By that time I was 2 months post op, and the infection did much more damage at than it would have if the implant had been removed sooner. I did have to have it removed, and have not reconstructed that side.

    The problem with hospital infections is that they are sometimes staph super-bugs that don't respond to the typical antibiotics, and the body has a hard time naturally rebounding from an infection when there is a "foreign body" (implant or expander) present. If your body is not handling the infection following a course of antibiotics, and your doc wants to remove, it is best to get the implant out--healing can't happen while it's in. Reconstruction can be attempted again after the infection is handled and blood tests are OK (usually 3 to 6 months.)

    It does completely suck when the infection can't be dealt with while the implant is in place, though antibiotics can work in that situation--really depends on the type of infection you have. If your docs recommend removal after giving the meds a chance, my advice is to go for it--they are trying to save your life and your breast tissue. Reconstruction can be tried again later. Wishing you the best of luck and speedy healing.

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