Lymphedema - impact on cosmetic result & symmetry?

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mellee
mellee Member Posts: 434
edited May 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Despite having identical size implants, my Right reconstructed breast is significantly larger than my Left. I'm planning on having another surgery to revise the reconstruction on the Right and even things out. However, I'm wondering if lymphedema might be partially to blame? I asked my PT and she said it's possible due to swelling in surrounding tissues.

Anyone have this issue?

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited May 2018

    Hi Mellee,

    I have a swollen right breast a year and a half after surgery (lumpectomy and ALND). It’s from the lymphedema. I had left breast reduced for symmetry but didn’t have right adjusted because of the lymphedema. Didn’t want to aggravate it. Hoping it will improve someday!

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited May 2018

    Those with breast lymphedema might want to explore kinesiotaping for relief. I had/have a small area of it on Lefty. I had a PT tech tape it and then bought my own tape (Rocktape brand is hypoallergenic) and began doing it at home. I leave the tape on up to a week, then need to give my sensitive skin a break for a few days and then re-apply. The amount of tape I use has decreased as the lymphedema resolves. Now I only have a spot less than the size of a dime (after 3 mos of taping). I hope to soon have it totally resolved.


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  • mellee
    mellee Member Posts: 434
    edited May 2018

    How do you tape your breasts? I'd be curious to try.

    After talking to my PT, I'm planning to start massaging my breasts when I do my daily lymph drainage massage and see if that makes any difference.

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited May 2018

    This is what it looked like the first time I had it done. Now I use just a tiny piece of tape.

    You may want to consult with a PT or other practitioner who used kinesiotape. I am an OT and once I was shown how to do it once, I felt completely comfortable continuing it.

    The tape lifts up the tissue and allows better flow of lymph. Slowly but surely my swelling has gone down and has not returned. It's definitely worth exploring, IMO.

    image

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  • mellee
    mellee Member Posts: 434
    edited May 2018

    Thanks!

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited May 2018

    Um yeah! The irony is I had a reduction on both slides with my lump. The surgeon made cancer breast larger because it would shrink after rads. She greatly under estimated my ability to swell. (I had my doubts about this from the get go)

    Cest la vie. I don't know if you have LE another surgery might be the last thing you need.

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