My Reconstruction Surgery didn't go well :(

Bless your heart.  I have no experiece with this sice I woun't have my BMX until mid Sept.  I pray things level out in a short time.

My heart and prayers go out to you.

Sandy

coco2008 said:

Bless your heart.  I have no

Bless your heart.  I have no experiece with this sice I woun't have my BMX until mid Sept.  I pray things level out in a short time.

My heart and prayers go out to you.

Sandy

Dorene, I have heard that you do need a few months for the implants to adjust.  I hate that you are so unhappy.  Did your ps tell you that with time, they will look better?

Hugs, JJ

1st let me say that I am so sorry that you are having a difficult reconstruction experience. It is so important to have confidence in your physical appearance and you have the right to expect a decent result.

In addition, I think the fact the your chosen implant was not "available" on the morning of your surgery is just garbage. It is the responsibility of the surgeon to order the chosen implant and make sure it is there prior to the surgery. I would probably have postponed the surgery rather than be forced into making a decision under duress. I would love to have a look at the records and find out if your implant was even ordered. There are so many implant on the market that no hospital can be expected to stock all of them in all sizes.

Once my chemo was completed and I had recovered I had my tissue expander (right side only) replaced with a saline implant. At the same time my left breast was reduced and lifted. The left side looked OK but the right side was a disaster in my opinion. Looked like a mishapen blob with a ridge of hard tissue across the center. The surgeon didn't seem too concerned but I was and that is all that really counts. I consulted several other surgeons. One said he would rate the job done by surgeon #1 as a 4 on a scale of 10. Pretty horrible. I chose a new surgeon and had revision reconstruction surgery. I went with a silicone implant this time in a slightly larger size. Surgeon #2 also used a product called Strattice (you can google it) which she described as being like an internal bra. It helped support the implant. I am still fairly large breasted. The new breast is an infinite improvement over the old one. I couldn't be happier with the result.

If your insurance plan allows it, I would suggest that you seek a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion about your reconstruction. I was certainly glad that I did. I personally believe that the work done by my surgeon #1 bordered on medical malpractice but I chose not to go down that particular road since I know what is involved.

Good luck. It does and can get better.

IRENE

Jobi said:

Thank your for Sharing

Irene,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.  I am really disappointed in the whole experience.  I am not one to advocate for myself, but I know that this time I really must voice my concerns.  I will get a second opinion and google Strattice.

I will keep you posted.

Dorene

 

 

 

Hi Dorene,

I didn't have quite the same experience, but I had bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.  I had a so-so result after the implants were put in. I had lumps and large fat folds going around to my back.   I complained to my plastic surgeon who was ready to take 'after' pictures.  He hadn't even talked to me about nipple reconstruction, tattoos, etc.  I changed doctors and found another surgeon willing to do the revision surgery.  They are still 'foobs', but sooooo much better.  My oncologist tells me I have some of the best reconstruction she's seen, but I had to push for it!  I had nipple reconstruction and tattooing after the revision 'settled down'.  I am much happier.  Keep insisting on getting the result you want, it makes all the difference in how you feel about yourself afterward.  Good Luck!

Chickadee

'

Jobi said:

Thank your for Sharing

Irene,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.  I am really disappointed in the whole experience.  I am not one to advocate for myself, but I know that this time I really must voice my concerns.  I will get a second opinion and google Strattice.

I will keep you posted.

Dorene

 

 

 

I am so sorry Dorene and I hope that the 2nd opinion will offer you encouragement and help.

I am so terribly sorry that this happened to you. I agree that your plastic surgeon should have consulted your breast surgeon and/or the notes better and/or given you a better exam to really know what he was dealing with. And to NOT have the type of implant you wanted? Sounds like carelessness to me. They should have had them there for you. How much time did they have to order them from the time you made the appointment?

How disappointing it must be for you. If you use that particular surgeon, I would point out the fact that he SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that the first mastectomy was deeper. Perhaps you could get a break on the cost of redoing it?

I would definitely get a second opinion.

Have you been to the website breastcancer.org? If not, I highly suggest it. They have a forum completely devoted to people who have had breast reconstruction. Look for Breast Reconstruction. Unfortuneately, you will find hundreds of women that didn't get good first time results. Check it out. I am sure you will find hundreds that can understand what you just went through.

Jobi said:

Good advice

Thanks so much.  I will check out the sites. Luckily, my insurance covers everything. I am just feeling disfigured all over again.

I can only imagine how disappointing this must be.

Sending good thoughts.

xoxo

Victoria

camul said:

my second ones were like that.
With the first exchange I woke in the morning andnthe boob was gone. It had slipped out of place and was in my back. 2 weeks later he went back in and replaced it. It was a whole size smaller and way to high. Then the third time he used a new one that had just been approved by fda for mast. It was much better however they will never be perfect.
It took a while but once the madt side dropped they were even. Rt is still smaller however with a bra it is not noticeable.
I went fornthe nip tat and endednup getting a beautiful hummingbird and hibiscus so now when I look in the mirror I see no imperfections, only a beautiful bird.
Is therenanynreason for the 6 month wait? I only had to wait ancouple of weeks?

Very sorry Dorene.  I hope that you can find a surgeon or even yours, that can give you the result that you want and deserve.

Perhaps after some time/ swelling goes down etc..it will even out a bit more. I have never experienced reconstuction but I would think "giving it time" might make a difference.

Denise