Capsular Contracture in Pre-pec implant

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VegGal
VegGal Member Posts: 507
edited October 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Sooooo, I've been thinking something was not right with Righty for several months. Finally after having some pain twinges I went to see the PS this morning. She diagnosed me with Grade 4 capsular contracture. She said I could expect the distortion and pain to increase if left untreated, and at this point surgery is the best option. 

October 30 is the day and she will attempt to "score" the scarred capsule and see if it will release. If not she will remove the whole capsule. A new implant is in order no matter what she ends up doing. She also wants me to use Singulair and high dose Vitamin E to help prevent it from happening again. 

Sigh. 

There is a silver lining:  I have been left with divots on my thigh and abdomen from last December's fat harvest. She will repair those while I am in surgery. She said she will waive her fee if insurance won't cover it. 

Cancer sucks. 

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  • hapa
    hapa Member Posts: 920
    edited October 2018

    What kind of pain? I have pre pec implants and the right one is definitely more painful than the left one. But I'm six weeks out from BMX.

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited October 2018

    I've had stinging, aching pain across the implant and into my armpit and inner upper arm. If I stretch it almost feels like things are about to rip across the implant. 

    At six weeks out, your pain is to be expected. It is not unusual for one side to be more painful than the other. 

    Happy healing!

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  • Shadie
    Shadie Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2018

    VegGal,

    So sorry to hear your news! I hope all goes well on Oct. 30. I think we had our surgery around the same time (my pre-pec exchange was in mid-April), and within a couple of weeks, Lefty felt different than Righty: not so much pain, but a pulling sensation than extends to upper left quadrant of the breast, to near the armpit. I definitely feel it more when I carry things on the left side than the right in the breast area. Is this similar to what you felt? Fortunately, I do not see any difference between Lefty and Righty--did you see a difference? Also, how did the PS diagnose the problem?

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited October 2018

    I would say I am just more "conscious" of Righty, where Lefty feels more like me. I got these implants in Sept of 17.  Recently I started having stinging and pulling sensations. 

    The PS first listened to my symptoms, then examined Lefty, which is soft. The second she touched Righty she knew it was CC. It just feels firmer.   She said that the fact I have discomfort puts me at Grade 4 CC. 

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