Trying to decide on deconstruction

SLH · October 2007

SLH · October 2007

I had a bi-mast with saline implants 2+1/2 yrs ago. Luckily, I didn't have to go thru rads or chemo, but physically I'm not doing great. Ever since the expanding process, I've had bad muscle pain and stiffness in my neck and upper shoulders. I had PT, but my dr says it's probably pain I will have forever. He wanted to give me stronger meds than the Advil I take, but that's not a solution for me. But I miss my passion for gardening. I work in the garden, but the fun is gone, because it causes me so much pain.

I'm seriously considering getting rid of my implants. My dr thinks that won't solve my muscle problem, but that's how this whole problem started! Am I being irrational? I almost hate these lumps that are attached to me! Will I hate my body? Will I still have muscle pain?

Erica3681 · October 2007

I'm sorry you're still experiencing so much pain. It sounds as if, at the very least, you should seek a second opinion, maybe from a breast surgeon--someone other than a plastic surgeon, who may be biased toward implants not causing pain. If your pain truly is muscular, it seems as if there's a chance the implants are responsible, since the muscles had to be stretched to accommodate the implants. If the pain is really due to nerve damage, though, the implants may not be responsible.

Regarding whether you'll hate your body if you have the implants removed, I guess the answer to that is very personal. I can only speak for myself. I had bilateral mastectomies one year ago and chose not to reconstruct. I'm an active 58-year-old (just got back from a hiking trip in France). I don't hate my post-mastectomy body at all and I think I still look good in clothes. My husband agrees. I do wear breast forms, and have found some very comfortable ones, but I also know women who go au naturel and look great. You might check out my website (BreastFree.org), which has lots of information on non-reconstruction. Many women from this Conversation board have contributed their stories to the site.

I hope you can figure out the source of your pain. If it is due to the implants, I wouldn't hesitate to have them removed. If you find you can't live without breasts, you can always explore other types of reconstruction later.

Barbara

OLBinNJ · October 2007

SLH,

I agree with Barbara, get a second opinion. I had reconstruction with an implant, and had pain and discomfort from day one. Every time it was expanded, I hurt on the entire right side of my torso. I felt as though my muscle was being stretched too much. After a year, the incision tore open. At that point, the Dr. said I had to have the implant removed and he did not recommend any further reconstruction. I had the implant removed and have been very happy since. It has taken a long time to find the right prosthetic and mast bra for me, but I am much more comfortable and able to be as active as I was prior to bc. I do not hate my body, and in fact probably like it more than when I had the implant. You are not being irrational, you just want things to be as close to the way they were before bc, we all want that. All of the decisions we make are personal, and everybody is different. I would get a second, and maybe a third opinion, until you can find someone who can explain what the pain is from. If you think that removing the implants will get rid of the pain, go for it. It sounds like if you don't do it, and the pain continues, you will always think that you should have had them removed. Good luck in making your decision and in getting rid of the pain.

Trying to decide on deconstruction

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