Hey spilledink. Please read about changing from subpectoral ( under the pectoral muscle) to Prepectoral Implant Reconstruction ( over the Pectoral Muscle) on my thread. I also have a nationwide list of US plastic surgeons that do that kind of reconstruction. No reason to put up with an armpitted implant. To my mind, the subpectoral technique is from the Dark Ages.

Topic: TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!

Forum: Breast Reconstruction — Is it right for you? Discuss timing and various procedures and techniques.

I agree Summer Angel. I was given the option for both by my PS. But she said with over the pec you will most likely have a need for fat grafting. When you get into fat grafting you are looking at multiple surgeries because absorption rate is high. No thanks.

But back to Spelledink issue. The implants are migrating to her armpits. Which is capsular contracture. Cap. contracture is more common in over the pec patients. I don’t see how switching to over the pec is a remedy to the complaint of migration of the foobs.

I look at this situation as more of a need for fixing the “pocket work”. So the implants sit correctly in the breast area!

And btw spilledink, no idea why a surgeon would say you need a Lat Flap, that’s tunneling the muscle from the back to front. Don’t do that unless I’m missing something here. Were you radiated with thin skin or have blood circulation issues to the breast area?

Hi spilledink,

I am so sorry to read all of the trouble that you’ve been through with reconstruction! I too had an infection with my tissue expanders and pain that was dismissed, had fatgrafting before implant exchange to help with the damage from the infection, and then later my under the pec implants started to migrate towards my armpits very painfully. But none of my problems were to the extent of yours—I can’t imagine the mental weight of the situation in front of you and the choice you are making.

I’m not sure if this is an option that you might be interested in, but I actually just had my implants removed and went flat this week. The option was not one that my PS and other doctors ever offered, and I know he didn’t really support it, but he did a very good job. I can’t even express how absolutely happy and healthy and mentally sound and attractive (!!!) that I feel just a few days after the surgery. If this is something you’d want to hear more about, I’d be happy to share more, but more than anything I just wanted to let you know you’re not alone.

Spilledink- I hear you!! My reconstruction is still going on over two years later. I had multiple failures as well and ended up having LAT FLAP on one side. I was lucky that surgery was easeful and very successful for me!

But my situation was poor circulation and very thin skin on my right side. I required more coverage to support implant size I wanted.

I feel for your situation and I wish I could be more help to you to make the right decision for you.

Take as much time as you can to get clear in your head ! Wishing you all the best!!

Well I do apologize for calling subpectoral, from the Dark Ages. What I meant by that, is that it is so difficult to have a Reconstruction method that markedly disturbs the function of a major muscle, the Pectoral muscle.

I remember the TE under my Pectoral muscle, the painful muscle spasms and the loss of strength. I couldn't open a bag of potato chips.

Men would never put up with a method that hampered their mobility or muscle function. I don't think women should have to loose strength as well a their breasts just to achieve an acceptable reconstruction. With the advent of ADM ( Acellular Dermal Matrix) fat grafting isn't necessary for every woman that wants the comfort of a Prepectoral Implant Reconstruction.

I realize that ADM won't fix rippling for everyone, but actually before I got Prepectoral done I corresponded here with a woman who had one subpectoral and one prepectoral because of changes in availability of surgeons where she lived in England. Said she had no ADM, and no rippling either, and that of both methods she had the greatest result with Prepectoral.

So many other women here on the boards complained of the Iron Bra chest tightness with subpectoral that I really worried it might be a constant awful discomfort. So that is why I decided to go for Prepectoral. I had that awful "Iron Bra" even when the TE wasn't inflated much. I couldn't stand the thought of feeling that way lifetime. Switching to Prepectoral has been a considerable improvement, and at the very least no "Iron Bra"

Spilled ink

I don’t think above vs below affects longevity of implants. I know someone who has had over the pec implants in for close to 20 years. But I am going to ask my PS that question this week when I go in. Since you actually can’t take one person in isolation as a stat.

When they place implants over the pec they use ALOT of ADM over the implant. Not just the dermal sling you describe.