after surgery for implants..bilateral

booge

I have just gone through my second surgery for bc. I had a bilateral mastectomy and had to do expansion reconstruction. It was the worst I have ever gone through. Now i have my real implant and nipples and the right side is still killing me. I had a lot of problems with this side during the expansions. Due to my small breast size and I lifted weights..after the expander was put in we weren't certain how well it was going to work. It opened up several times and we had to do the expansions very slowly..30cc's each week and sometimes took a week off due to the pain. Anyway..i just need to see if anyone else is going through this. The depression and anger is coming also which isn't helping. The things I have read on here have really helped me out. This is my first posting and hope someone can help or has been there too. Thank you to anyone that can help..take care..booge

ktinkey

Hi,

Don't know if I can be of any real help, but I will tell you my experience. I have had my implants for over 10 years now. I just had a single mastectomy on the right side and a small implant on the left for symmetry. Both had contractual encapsilation and had to be removed once and redone. The right side was done 3 timesand still encapsulated but not as bad as before. I still have days where it aches a little and feels like I have something stuck under my arm, but I just remember I am still alive and I can wear a bra, etc. It does get better. A heating pad helps too. The expansion was the worst part. Are you pre or post menopausal? I was pre-menopausal, so my plastic surgeon also had me increase my calcium intake because that helps the inflammation decrease due to hormonal flucuations. Remember, it took a while for your body to be stretched this much and it will take a while for it to get used to it. Sometimes it is not easy, but it is worth it. Everyone heals at a different rate, so listen to your body and be good to yourself. No pain, no gain is not necessarily true in our situation. Take it easy and gradually increase your workout.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Kathy

DWininger

Hi booge! I don't know how much help I can be to you either. I had my reconstructive surgery done ab out 15-16 years ago. I must be one of the fortunate ones, I don't remember having much trouble. I do remember remarking to my Dr. that I hoped no one would accidentally stab me with a pin....I could have flooded the room. But, (that sad bit of humor aside), we took one step at a time and I am still pleased with the results. The nipple on my right breast didn't turn out as well as I had hoped it would, but at least I don't have to wear bras to fit prosthetics into. I would think that your discomfort will diminish as time goes forward. My surgeon always warned that healing takes time, and we're just too impatient. You've been through a lot in the last several months, I believe it's quite normal to feel angry and depressed. Give yourself and your body a little time. Look for the sunshine after the storm...it's there.

prayerangel

I too had a 2nd surgery for BC. I had the bilateral mastectomy with the expansion reconstrucion. It took 8 months to fill them up to where I wanted them. It hurt like heck the first 2X he put the needle in, but I demanded the numbing cream prescription (that I had for my chemo port). I applied that liberally an hour before before filling, and I felt nothing at all. One side started going sideways. I couldn't wait to get them out. I have 2 silicone breast implants now, and had nipple reconstruction and tattooing later on. All that was painful and annoying, but worth it. One boob (the unradiated side) is bigger and is a bit lower, but in a new Victoria Secret padded bra, I look WONDERFUL, and feel GREAT!!!! E-mail me if you like. Good luck. Ask for pain pills if it's too much. The docs are happy to do that for you.