New implant has sunk, new to board and bc

Dawne.Hope said:

dropped
Dear Candace,

I'm sorry for the roller coaster you're on. And the most recent scary turn. I've heard of implants dropping. It is not unheard of. Some ladies the implant will slide practically down to their belly, others fall over into the armpit. Where is yours? Most likely it will take surgery to fix it.

There are several options ... did your PS use alloderm? PS's will make an alloderm sling to help keep the implant from dropping down. If it has fallen over to the side, they will use sutures to keep the implant from falling. It is a painful recovery but it keeps those suckers from moving!

If your PS isn't willing or isn't able, go to a different one. There are many out there who could fix your problem. You shouldn't have to live with it.

Know that a good, supportive bra is incredibly important. Once you get it fixed, go to Nordstroms or a Masectomy store where there are experienced bra fitters especially trained for women who have had breast reconstruction. Gravity is not our friend and a good, supportive bra is incredibly important, especially while the pocket heals, in order to keep things where your PS put them.

{{{{hugs}}}}

Oh I feel so stupid
I don't even know what alloderm is... jeez. I just looked at the card my ps gave me that has the information on my implants. All I can see is that they are Mentor brand, silicone (the one thing I did know, haha) and I have 550c in each. One thing you said that really struck a chord with me is that during my follow up, 3 weeks ago, he told me that I could ditch the post op sports bra. Then, I asked about how to proceed in bra-land and he very clearly stated that a bra was no longer necessary. My implants and chest muscles have been pretty high and stiff, so I have chosen to let a little gravity work for me. It's only been 3 weeks, but it all seemed to be falling into place, then I noticed that the one side was falling... but not getting back up! Over the past two days, it's concave, where there was cleavage. After reading your response, I did some investigative work and it does seem that it has slid under my arm and also it's droopy compared to the other breast. (however the other breast was a mod. radical, with loss of 9 nodes) BLAH! So, while I was posting on someone else's thread advice on being "proactive", I've lost one boob, quite possibly, due to my ignorance and complacency. nice.

Oh well, as long as I can continue to laugh and see the humor in it all, I'll be just fine. Thanks! Do you happen to know if they will have to reopen my incision to "replace" the implant and sew it up, internally? Or is there, by chance, some way they can support it with external stitches? That makes no sense, I was sooo hoping. Nevermind! Oh and what is alloderm? (just give me the one sentence def., ha)

Dawne.Hope said:

it may not be too late
Candace -

You're still early out from your reconstruction. Are you near a Nordstroms? Those are the best for getting fitted. Call and ask for an appt. with a fitter who knows something about bc and reconstructed breasts. Depending on how far it has fallen, a good bra could be your answer. It takes at least six months for the pocket around the implant to form and if you move that implant to the proper position and keep it there with a bra, it MIGHT fix it. You even need to sleep in a bra, though. I've found for sleeping that a zippered front exercise bra is best.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I hate it for you. It is fixable, though!

Take care!

A million Thanks!
Well, I do feel a little better. You know, there is so much to "know" about this situation and you have no clue what you, specifically, need until you really need it! I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop (or whatever that saying is). Every time I turn around there's a LOT that I did not know, but need to know, now. Oh well... onward and upward. Yes, I have a Nordstroms, and I'm happy if he will go in through the same incision (my last two surgeries: expander then replacement, were a piece of cake, due to that incision). something good! Well, good news about insurance, too. I have just taken on such a negative attitude towards insurance. I kept being told that all of my surgeries, the second being a double mastectomy, would be out-patient. Who were they kidding??? I could have easily stayed in the hospital for five days during that ordeal. Anyway, it's over, no need to dwell.

It is so comforting to know this discussion board is here. Honestly, I learn a ton, every single time I log in. Plus everyone's spirit is so bright and uplifting, just what I need! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

shelbyhome said:

Thank you for posting this
Thank you for posting this as the same thing is happening to mine. My PS said that I didnt need to wear a bra and now I wonder if he knew what he was talking about.
I am going to make some phone calls in the morning so again thank you for bringing this to light for me!
Hugs Robbin

Meet back here tomorrow!
Haha, let's meet back here tomorrow and share what we've been told. THEN, we can figure out what we need to do! See you then Robbin!
candace