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Esthetic flat closure question
Hello, Had a mastectomy with reconstruction about 4 years ago. On the side that had radiation, I have a grade 4 contracture. I have decided to go for an esthetic flat surgery but am looking for some folks to help me out with some questions. What was your outcome? Did you have one or two scars? What was your range of…
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Cases of BIA-ALCL May Be More Than Double FDA Estimates
Cases of Breast Implant-Related Cancer May Be More Than Double FDA Estimates July 25, 2022 The number of U.S. cases of breast anaplastic large-cell lymphoma — a rare cancer linked to textured implants — may be twice as high as U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates. Read more...
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Reconstruction revision after rupture: Advise please
2008 BMX, with silicone reconstruction; Right rupture now: I need to have surgery asap due to swelling and pain. PS has scheduled me for 8/23/22; I need to prepare for pre-op visit: what questions do I need to ask? How have implants changed: Allergan / Mentor? which is better? I never had capsular contracture, but he plans…
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Rupture/replacement
Hi everyone, After a stressful few days of possible “Bia-ALCL vs something else” it has been determined that the pain and swelling in Lefty is likely due to a rupture in the lower part of the implant. An MRI has been ordered to confirm. Even without the MRI, my PS is ready to schedule an implant exchange, and said on the…
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Pictures of Breast Reconstruction
We thought it might be helpful for members considering different types of reconstruction to see our page from the main Breastcancer.org site: Pictures of Breast Reconstruction We hope this helps! --The Mods
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MRIs on Silicone Implants
I see that the FDA recommends screening silicone implants for leaks every couple of years. Has anyone had trouble getting your insurance to pay for these screenings? Thank you
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Leak in implant
I had my implants (silicone) put in at the start of May. Last month I felt a lump, but an MRI showed it was scar tissue. But the MRI also showed a leak in the implant -- with what appears to be two small specks of silicone outside the implant. I obviously need it replaced, but have no idea how that would have happened…
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Any regrets, Nipple-Sparing or Skin-Sparing Reconstruction?
Anyone out there regret having nipple-sparing with reconstruction and wish they would have gone with skin-sparing and reconstruction instead? OR vice versa? Is the partial or no sensation worth keeping your nipple? I am wavering on whether keeping my nipple is necessary... Just want it to be right and look good. Looking…
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Microfat grafting or BRAVA doctor recommendations
There is already a great forum regarding micro fat grafting and some really supportive posters that have been through the process. Although some have posted doctors in their area, I thought I would start a discussion where we could post the PS doctors in our own areas so it's easier for people to research and contact those…
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Experience Removing Implants & Going Flat
I had dbl mx w dti on Christmas Eve 2022 after a synchronous bilateral recurrence/new tumour of heterogenous IDC. My implants are bigger than I wanted (200cc of tissue removed, 300cc implanted) and just super uncomfortable, tops dont fit anymore, its harder to donthe sports i like, and they look matronly. I just want them…
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Zenn Delay Reconstruction
Has anyone had the Zenn Delay method of reconstruction? A friend is interested. It sounds very interesting! (I had muscle/skin sparring TRAM flap b/c I wasn't a candidate for DIEP.) Hope there's someone out there! Thanks
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How to manipulate flipped implant?
Hi there! Does anyone have any tips on manipulating flipped implants on yourself? I have subpec high profile silicone implants an can't seem to do it. Would love to avoid more surgeries. Thanks!
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Unhappy with areola tattoo--what can be done??
I am about 4 years out from my unilateral mastectomy/DIEP reconstruction, and just had a nipple constructed this spring. The nipple looked fantastic. I had my areola tattooed last week, by a highly recommended tattoo artist/permanent make-up person--and I am so far unhappy with the result. She made it dark around the…
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Chest Pain
Hi, I'm many many years out of reconstruction, latisimus dorsi, and implants.. I've been getting chest pain, Been fully checked out by cardiologis, gastro, and even had a chest ct, looking for blood clot.. No one can explain my pain. Has anyone else had this? I'm thinking scar tissue, but can't find any ifo on this.
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Unhappy with Reconstruction (pics) FEEDBACK NEEDED!
Hi I had my exchange in October and right away noticed massive rippling particularly on my cancer side. I got a second opinion from a Stanford surgeon who said my breasts look amazing and he wouldn't advise attempting to change anything as it likely won't improve or it would make things worse. He said my outcome is a…
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Dispensing reconstruction revision needed denver Co
need referral for diep reconstruction doctor for revision after 6 years post surgery…not happy with previous surgery. thanks
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Plastic Surgeon recommendation, NYC?
I am looking for a new plastic surgeon. I am actually at the follow-up stage with my current plastic surgeon. Unfortunately, he is out of network on my health insurance (which I did not know until after I first met with him), and that is creating all kinds of financial concerns. I can't take one more minute of those…
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Going from under the muscle implants to over the muscle....
I'm 4 years out from my bmx and recon surgery. At the time I chose implants since my children were younger and very dependent on me. Within the last year or so I've been dealing with a lot of tightness/discomfort with my implants. Unfortunately, I'm not a candidate for the DIEP flap but was advised that I could remove my…
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Pre-pec reconstruction after radiation. Surgeon reccomendations?
I have been having a heck of a time finding a plastic surgeon that's willing to do prepec reconstruction for me because the area was irradiated. I've had subpec expanders in for 1.5 years now, been referred to multiple plastic surgeons only to be turned away due to the radiation. This process has taken months per surgeon,…
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Implants with known autoimmune illness
I originally planned to do a bmx with implants due to lack of tissue but have been nervous upon hearing reports of breast implant illness, especially among people with a personal or family history of autoimmune disease. I have Hashimoto's and Raynaud's and wonder if anyone else has these or other autoimmune diseases and…
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Implant surgery tomorrow. Questions
hello all I am scheduled for my expander removal Tomorrow, and will be getting my implants put in. The implants are going to be silicone. I keep asking my plastic surgeon about Saline, because I hear silicon is bad and can cause many complications, including cancer in the future. Am I being irrational? Should I be…
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3-step Reconstruction
Good evening all. My SIL was diagnosed with IDC in Dec. She is scheduled for mastectomy and SNB next week. She plans to do reconstruction with TE but here’s my concern. Her BS is at one hospital and her PS is at another. That means there will be no TE inserted during her UBX. But 10 days later she goes to another hospital…
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Just diagnosed 2nd primary same breast, 16 years later.
Just received Second diagnosis, same breast after 16 years. DCIS this time, last time Invasive, high grade, clear nodes, Lumpectomy, chemo, radiation in 2006. Will see surgeon in late April 2022. Likely not a candidate for more radiation to left breast. Assuming a mastectomy will be needed, and trying to decide if I should…
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itching under implant
Does anyone else get a lot of itching under/around a silicone implant - one year out? Should I worry about it? How would I know if this thing starts to leak, anyway? Thanks very much!
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BMI during fat graft
sorry I am not familiar with all the technical terms yet but being offered a flap surgery with fat grafting following a mastectomy. The surgeon today was trying to tell me that I was not an ideal candidate because of my BMI 35. I told him that just means I have more fat to give. But he said that it’s a higher risk surgery…
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Not happy with expander size and what about implants!
Hello ladies. I need help!! I currently am not happy with the projection size of my expanders. And I’m afraid when I get my implants I will be unhappy. I currently have 500cc expanders. And on my body they are not large. About a very small C or B. I want a full C. My PS said he would put in 560cc implants. But after…
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Timing of Surgery to Swap Out Tissue Expander
Could someone pleasegive me a feel for what to expect after the Tissue Expander is replaced? I had my last fill at the end of January so I'm ready for the "swap" now. But I have some travel I'd like to complete at the end of April and in May and in June. (The trips will involve a long car trip, a couple flights, a couple…
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BRAVA OR OTHER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEMS,??
Has anyone after lumpectomy and radiation been given one of these pump aided breast dome systems to increase tissue and vascularity and skin stretch and increase breast tissue growth? I am very interested in the Brava system but i believe they were discontinued and are gard to find. I went to a surgeon whose name was…
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Athletics,exercise and rehab after Masctectomy
Hi All! I am recently diagnosed and I am struggling with how to treat this diagnosis. I have met with an MO (medical oncologist) and last week a Plastic surgeon. The MO recommended a lumpectomy with radiation but I told her that I would rather have a BMx for peace of mind and to avoid radiation. She said it's a big surgery…
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PS appointment today. One and done!
I met with my PS today to plan reconstruction. He does not want to remove the existing implant due to rads, and he said it could cause too much tissue damage that may not be repairable. He will do fat grafting to fill it up. He said not enough in the tummy area, so he would have to pull from my tummy and thighs. He's going…