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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Result after reconstruction
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Result after reconstruction
by Bobbithecat, Apr 02, 2006 12:00AM
I had a bilateral mastectomy in August 2005 and it was planned that my implants (from a previous reconstruction in 1999)would then be changed.
In the event I was told that it was not considered a good idea to do them at that time.
On 11 February 2006 my plastic surgeon did change the implants, having said at the outset he was "returning me to the size I was when we first met" and assuring me I would definitely have symmetry this time. He called it "revision surgery".
I am now seven weeks post-op and although the right breast (radiated in 1996) looks "normal", the left appears to be half as big again, is heavier, appears to be lower on my chest and also feels as if it is falling sideways into my armpit.
I have not been able to see my plastic surgeon for a check-up yet.
Does it sound as if this will resolve in time? It looks to me as if it needs a miracle for both breasts to appear identical ever.
Thank you so much in advance for your reply.
In the event I was told that it was not considered a good idea to do them at that time.
On 11 February 2006 my plastic surgeon did change the implants, having said at the outset he was "returning me to the size I was when we first met" and assuring me I would definitely have symmetry this time. He called it "revision surgery".
I am now seven weeks post-op and although the right breast (radiated in 1996) looks "normal", the left appears to be half as big again, is heavier, appears to be lower on my chest and also feels as if it is falling sideways into my armpit.
I have not been able to see my plastic surgeon for a check-up yet.
Does it sound as if this will resolve in time? It looks to me as if it needs a miracle for both breasts to appear identical ever.
Thank you so much in advance for your reply.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
Dear bobbithecat: Without evaluation, it is impossible for us to speculate on how the implant may ultimately look. Although there have been greast advances in plastic sugery, it is unusual to acheive completely normal or identical looking breasts after implant reconstruction. The best option is to have this discussion with your plastic surgeon. He is the one who knows the procedure and the expected pattern of healing.
I saw my plastic surgeon last night and he agreed with me that the left (non radiated) breast is very different in size and weight from the right. He has suggested further revision surgery where he is going to do something clever with the capsule and hopes to get a symmetrical result.
He needs to write to my insurance company and he is going to tell them I have a capsular hernia, if that means anything to you folks! It sounds as though it will not be as serious as previous surgery, for example, he said no drains (something of a relief as last time I ended up in Casualty for four hours one night with a heavily bleeding drainsite to one side). He says he needs to wait until June so that it is four months from the replacement of the implants in February.
At least it wasn't bottoming out which I was afraid of having seen photos here and there on the net and which looked very similar to what I have.
Thanks again