Becker Implant removal

lisamm
lisamm Member Posts: 17
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone,I've recently came across this message board and find it to be a great place for information and insite for what is going on with me and what I can expect in the near future.
A little about me: I am 6 weeks post-op my bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction at time of surgery.About 4 weeks of drains,my Right breast area started draining from the incision due to what we figure the drainage tube was clogged. Both drains were removed and the LEFT breast with implant healed fine with no problems. Right breast with implant never stopped leaking. Infection set in on 5 1/2 week visit. Dr. had to remove Right implant Thursday 10-7-04. Said implant will not be replaced till after my Chemo and Rad. is done. I've chosen not to have my LEFT explander inflated until then. MY QUESTION:Has ANYONE had this happen to them? What can I expect from here on? Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated. I'm scared this is just the beginning of a horrible experience from here on.

LisaMcM

Comments

  • seeknpeace
    seeknpeace Member Posts: 259
    #2
    Hi Lisa,

    Just wanted to welcome you to this wonderful board. I think that you get more support and information here than from most other sources and that includes our docs sometimes, unfortunately.

    I have not experienced what you have except that I too had a bilateral mast. with immed. tram flap recontruct 8 mos ago. The interesting thing is that my right side did much as yours has. I did not need chemo or rads, but, I have had to have the right side operated on after the reconstruct as it is and has just not healed the same as the left. My cancer was in the right, and as I had very aggressive cancer and had already had a lumpectomy in the left (benign), we took both. I wonder, was your cancer in both or in the right? My drain did not drain properly in the right, hurt worse, the tissue is still hard in places in the right and that breast has still not resolved. My plastic surgeon still sees me every other month watching it. I am afraid that he will have to open it up again.

    Best wishes and welcome.

    Jan
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #3
    I am so sorry about what you have been through. I remember reading about Becker implants many months ago and thinking that if I ever decided upon bilateral reconstruction, that might be the best bet.

    I know of someone who had an implant removed, and it was a devastating experience for her. It was like double the loss: first, the breast and then the implant.

    Focus on getting through what you are navigating now. The rest can be put on hold for later. Give yourself time to heal from the surgical procedures and making it past chemotherapy.

    Once everything going on with the right side is cleared up, you'll have something great to look forward to when the time is right.
    Hugs,
    Denise
  • lisamm
    lisamm Member Posts: 17
    #4
    Thanks for replying to my message.This is my 4th day since surgery and I'm still very sore. Last couple days I've been very nausious and haven't been able to eat much. Denise you were right when you said it's like losing another breast. I feel like I've been pushed back in my recovery about a month. It's horrible. The concave in my chest now,brings tears to my eyeswhen I reach up and feel the empty space. I haven't cried in awhile, until yesterday, I broke down in front of my husband and told him I didn't want to do this anymore. (fight cancer) It's been a tough road for us both. I go back to my Plastic Dr. tomorrow and see what he thinks about the healing of this surgery. I hope he says things are healing fine and I can get this Chemo battle underway.
    I pray for you all,
    LisaMcM
  • KarenKL
    KarenKL Member Posts: 42
    #5
    lisamm said:

    Thanks for replying to my message.This is my 4th day since surgery and I'm still very sore. Last couple days I've been very nausious and haven't been able to eat much. Denise you were right when you said it's like losing another breast. I feel like I've been pushed back in my recovery about a month. It's horrible. The concave in my chest now,brings tears to my eyeswhen I reach up and feel the empty space. I haven't cried in awhile, until yesterday, I broke down in front of my husband and told him I didn't want to do this anymore. (fight cancer) It's been a tough road for us both. I go back to my Plastic Dr. tomorrow and see what he thinks about the healing of this surgery. I hope he says things are healing fine and I can get this Chemo battle underway.
    I pray for you all,
    LisaMcM

    After reading your first post then your last, girl we have something in common. I broke down in front of my husband also and said the exact same thing, (I don't want to do this no more) I said my body hurts and what else could go wrong. This all came after hearing the news that now after my bilateral mastectomy * thinking I beat this)I might need chemo. Then after talking to woman here and family God isn't ready for me yet. I will beat this wether I need chemo or not. You can do this also. It is hard and draining, but we will get through it. Good luck and Gob Bless you.
    Karen
  • Mbladet
    Mbladet Member Posts: 12
    #6
    KarenKL said:

    After reading your first post then your last, girl we have something in common. I broke down in front of my husband also and said the exact same thing, (I don't want to do this no more) I said my body hurts and what else could go wrong. This all came after hearing the news that now after my bilateral mastectomy * thinking I beat this)I might need chemo. Then after talking to woman here and family God isn't ready for me yet. I will beat this wether I need chemo or not. You can do this also. It is hard and draining, but we will get through it. Good luck and Gob Bless you.
    Karen

    Karen - way to go! You sound so much better. I admire you!

    As for the Becker implant - I was supposed to have one with my double mastectomy but long story the parts weren't there and it didno't happen. Now I'm trying to get into see a PS for reconstruction ... any hints on what the Becker was like would be much appreciated - that is what my original PS was going to use.
  • lisamm
    lisamm Member Posts: 17
    #7
    Mbladet said:

    Karen - way to go! You sound so much better. I admire you!

    As for the Becker implant - I was supposed to have one with my double mastectomy but long story the parts weren't there and it didno't happen. Now I'm trying to get into see a PS for reconstruction ... any hints on what the Becker was like would be much appreciated - that is what my original PS was going to use.

    Hi again! Today was a better day. Still sore though. Seen PS yesterday and he said it was healing fine and he will remove drain next Tues. if there is no changes. He also said I will be able to keep my standing appt. for my first Chemo treatment that same day. That was good news for my husband and me. We both want to get on with the treatments and work through any obsticals that may occur.
    KAREN: You sound so very strong. I felt strong after my double mastectomy also. Thinking a few weeks of pain I'd be on my way to my treatments and I'd carry on with no problems. But after this setback (surgery) I lost all hope of getting through this easily. I still in my heart know it's going to be fine, but have doubts now at times. Your words are reassuring for me though, thank you for the chin up!
    MBLADET: I really don't blame the implants for my 2nd surgery at all. It was an infection that was caused (what we figure) by a plugged drainage tube on my Right side. My LEFT implant has been just fine. Healed up with no problems and now alot of the swelling has gone down and it doesn't bother me at all. We (Dr., husband, I) have chosen not to inflate the Left side as of yet, because I don't want to have to wear a prosthesis (sp) on my Right side to compensate the symmetry. I chose to enter a case study with the Becker Implants just so I'd be updated on the new findings that may occur in the future and for other reasons also. I think any type of implant a woman chooses is a personal one. I chose them along with my husband, because I thought the outer shell being silicone and Saline filled would be a more natural feel to the breast. The Becker is inflated over time, as with any other expander. But with these they need NOT be replaced after full inflation. The valve is removed and you’re finished. I thought it may cut back on surgeries also. (Unfortunately not MY case now) I would never tell any woman NOT to get the Becker implants. I'm perfectly satisfied with the LEFT side....lol

    Hope to keep in touch with you all, and hear how you’re doing.

    Lisa (mckay4@ameritech.net)

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