Fed up with foobs

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SLH
SLH Member Posts: 566
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi gals,

I had a consultation with a ps yesterday and I've scheduled a January deconstruction.  I told him that if I was in my thirties, or even forties, having breasts would mean more to me.  But I'm 54.  Having my physical strength and being comfortable again is my goal.

I've had muscle pain from the expanders, and then saline implants, since March 2005.  I don't regret this experience, because I think I needed to go through this in order to be content with a completely flat chest.

I'm curious to know how implants are "installed", because the dr told me that he will not be able to take parts of the reconstruction out.  It sounds like they glue a platform, or capsule, to the ribs that can't be taken off.

I told him I wanted to be as neatly flat and symmetrical as possible, and that it seemed to me that it would be best if he took out the implants, and then gave me a couple months to tighten my muscles back up before he excised the loose skin.  He said that sounded right, but would have to check on whether insurance would pay for two operations.

I'm so looking forward to losing "weight" in the New Year!

sally 

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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited December 2007

    Sally, I too deconstructed after 2 implant tries... sorry to tell you my experience, but after all was said & done.. I have a big divet on my chest... wish I could tell you more but, talk honestly with the Dr... maybe he can do something for you...

    hugs

    MB

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  • OLBinNJ
    OLBinNJ Member Posts: 236
    edited December 2007

    Sally,

         I also deconstructed, a pretty simple procedure.  I had formed too much scar tissue around the implant to the point where my incision was opening, and the ps said the implant could basically "explode" from my chest.  Talk about embarassing, the thought of my boob flying out of my chest!  My ps told me I was not a good candidate for any other kind of recon because I was thin.  I am so much more comfortable now.  With the implant in, I had a lot of muscle discomfort where they were being stretched.  I am somewhat concave now, so finding a form has been a challenge, but with the help of many of the women on these boards, and a lot of trial and error, I have found what works for me. I don't regret the experience because I think it was important for my mental health at the time to have immediate recon.  My head was in a much different place a year later when I deconstructed, and now, many years later it's all good.  Talk to your doc, and get as much info as you can. 

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  • SusaninSF
    SusaninSF Member Posts: 1,213
    edited December 2007

    Sally,

    I'm also deconstructed. The implant should come out as one piece but there will initially be a pocket between the chest muscle and the chest wall where the implant used to be. In a very short time, the muscle settles back down against the chest wall. My PS also told me there is a kind of a ridge that forms below the implant that eventually softens up and goes away. I have found both of these things to be true.

    It does seem that those who are deconstructed do not end up with a nice flat chest like many of the pictures I have seen of mastectomy scars. I have a kind of gully across my chest. I'm saying this based on the small sample of MB, OLB and myself. This is not something my PS said to me.

    Sorry you have to go through another surgery but it also sounds as though you will finally be able to feel comfortable. I know I only finally healed when I had the implant removed. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

    Hugs, Susan

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  • SLH
    SLH Member Posts: 566
    edited December 2007

    The books that I've read about reconstruction don't say precisely how they attach the implant to the ribcage.

    But the info from the ps about the removal says: "Whether the fibrous capsule, which always forms around the implant, can be removed depends on whether the placement of the prosthesis had been under the muscle or not.  The capsule against the ribs cannot be removed, but whatever can be removed will be."

    The ps said that the capsule molds itself onto the ribcage.  So that must be what makes the permanent irregular ridge.

    Honestly, it will be hard to see myself without breasts.  I won't miss my saggy-fed-3-kids-50-yr-old pair as much as my perky-perfect-25-yr-old ones!

    But I'm looking forward to feeling comfortable again.

    Thanks for your encouraging words!

    sally 

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