Unilateral reconstruction: is anyone happy?

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Hiddenledge
Hiddenledge Member Posts: 17
edited November 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

I had unilateral breast cancer 10 yrs ago. Needed a mastectomy because the cancer was all over my left breast, and never considered removing my healthy right breast. Originally had an implant reconstruction after the mastectomy. I did have a small implant placed in the right as well for symmetry. I eventually got capsular contracture in the left implant, so removed it and had SGAP. Three weeks ago, I had the right implant replaced because of the textured gummy recall, and the PS also added a small implant to the SGAP because I've lost weight and the SGAP breast basically shrunk down to nothing. I'm extremely unhappy with my breasts. This whole 10 yr saga, I have never been satisfied because no matter what I do, the two are different sizes. Curious, of those with unilateral reconstruction, am I barking up the wrong tree? Will I ever be satisfied with one fake breast and one real??

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  • RebeccaA
    RebeccaA Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2020

    Hiddenledge,

    I had the same thing done but with the mastectomy on my right side. it was six years ago. So far, no problems with either implant but my right reconstructed breast is smaller than the left. Also, I gained some weight since the procedure was done. That and aging affected the natural breast. Overall, I have been satisfied despite the difference in size. Though it is noticeable to me, I don’t believe it is really noticeable to anyone else.

    So, this summer I had a mastectomy of the left breast due to a new cancer there. I have a tissue expander and am scheduled for the exchange surgery in a week. My plan was to also replace the implant on the right side to try to get more symmetry. At my preop visit this week, the surgeon brought up concerns that have given me second thoughts about replacing the right implant. I had radiation on that side. He explained there are more risks of complication because of that. And it did not seem like the result would necessarily be more symmetrical than if I leave the right side as is. So , I am not sure what to do.

    I write all this to say that we are not going to have the breasts we once had. Imperfection is better than facing cancer. Since you had the new implants done only three weeks ago, maybe you’ll feel better about them with a little more time. I’ll probably need to take that advice myself after my procedure.

    R


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  • RebeccaA
    RebeccaA Member Posts: 28
    edited November 2020

    Hiddenledge,

    I had the same thing done but with the mastectomy on my right side. it was six years ago. So far, no problems with either implant but my right reconstructed breast is smaller than the left. Also, I gained some weight since the procedure was done. That and aging affected the natural breast. Overall, I have been satisfied despite the difference in size. Though it is noticeable to me, I don’t believe it is really noticeable to anyone else.

    So, this summer I had a mastectomy of the left breast due to a new cancer there. I have a tissue expander and am scheduled for the exchange surgery in a week. My plan was to also replace the implant on the right side to try to get more symmetry. At my preop visit this week, the surgeon brought up concerns that have given me second thoughts about replacing the right implant. I had radiation on that side. He explained there are more risks of complication because of that. And it did not seem like the result would necessarily be more symmetrical than if I leave the right side as is. So , I am not sure what to do.

    I write all this to say that we are not going to have the breasts we once had. Imperfection is better than facing cancer. Since you had the new implants done only three weeks ago, maybe you’ll feel better about them with a little more time. I’ll probably need to take that advice myself after my procedure.

    R


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