TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
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Thanks you guys for your words of comfort and understanding. I truly appreciate that.
I'm happy to report that I finally browbeat my PS into writing the rx for the pentoxyfillene; I just picked it up. I have no idea how long it might take before I see results but I kind of hope I see something happening before I go back to see PS in a couple of weeks so I can give him a big ol' "I told you so."
I had fat grafting done to try to reverse some of the damage done by the infection. The fat didn't "stick" but while it was there it did it's job. I had quite a bit of pain from the donor site (abdomen) - honestly, that was the most painful thing out of all seven surgeries.
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Raven, I am glad you got your PS to finally be helpful. I don't want to discourage you, but Pentoxifylline will give improvement over a few weeks to months, not as fast as Fat Grafting might. I think it is worth doing for you and many women with radiation fibrosis, or Capsular Contracture, because there is good research data about a certain degree of effectiveness and low risk of harm. And, frankly the breast cancer industry has spent very little effort or money in coming up with other effective alternatives.
I do feel that it helped me, which is why I still take Pentoxifylline 400mg (3 x day) and Vitamin E 400IU(3 x day) and apply the Pentoxifylline and Vitamin E 5%/1% Compounded Prescription Cream once or twice per day. I think it should be offered earlier in the process to ALL women who had radiation. It is probably easier and more effective to prevent the problems in the first place, rather than fix it later.
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OK, mac, good to know. And you're going to love this one............when I picked up my compound RX for the cream, I found out he didn't write the script with Vitamin E! I just went to the store and bought some Vitamin E cream and slather it on at the same time I use the pent. cream. Why this is so difficult, I have no idea.
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Raven, you are sure this guy should stay on the list? He doesn't seem to listen very well. You are right, it shouldn't ever be this hard. I hope that you do get some benefits soon. I would like to see the Pentoxifylline/Vitamin E Topical cream get a study done. Some people don't want to use the Pentoxifylline orally, but might do well with it Topically. It would be good to get some data on it. I read somewhere that it takes 20 years for research findings to become incorporated into medical care. From what I see and hear, especially in the breast cancer industry, that seems to sadly be too true.
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I have a consult tomorrow with the Chapell Hill PS on the list. It took a month to get in. I’m not feeling too optimistic. I just want them to look better, but I’m thinking they look pretty good all things considered. No issues. No pain or discomfort. No issues healing... just nothing like they were before all of this and before radiation. I’m don’t want to pay another $5-$6K deductible for mininal improvement; what I didn’t earlier this year with the current PS. Oh well, i’ll Let you ladies know how the consult goes
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Very good consult today with Dr. Roughton in Chapel Hill. Man, it was refreshing talking to a female PS that gets it! I don’t think either of us sugar coated anything! So... a Latissimus flap with TE and ultimately implant is in my future for the radiated breast. As for the other, a different implant, possibly pre-pec. The radiated breast’s implant will remain sub-pec.
What I really loves is she agreed with the things I didn’t like or wasn’t happy with. I wasn’t made to feel that I should be satisfied with what I have. She said as long a i’m Ok with a bigger Surgery, we can go for the improvement. The surgery doesn’t deter me at all! I’d go next week if I could!!! Will likely be mid to late January before Surgery is scheduled. She sold me pics of other that had radiation and had follow-up reconstruction via a Lat Flap.
I’m looking for the radiated side to drop, so it has less upper pole and more lower pole. I’m also looking to have the non-radiated side to have more lower pole. (She said the nipple is sitting too low. May was left that way to align with the radiated nipple.). And I’m wanting more projection in both. Not these hamburger / frankenboobs I have now!
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Well good for you SugarCakes! Glad that your visit was a meeting of the minds for you. I hope it all works out great for you.
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Veg gal, please send pics. Thanks.
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SugarCakes, good for you! It's refreshing to hear of a PS who actually listens! Good luck and keep us posted.
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Got a call this morning. The PS had an opening for November 1!!! My first response was “yes! Yes!” Then I remembered 1) it’s my birthday, 2) NC State vs Clemson football game on November 4. Major tailgating and game attendance planned. 3) flying to Dallas for Cowboys vs KC Chiefs football on November 5th. with friend just returning form Afganistan4) not going to save me next year’s deductible since there will be at least two surgeries anyway.
As anxious as I am to get it done, I declined. But told them if something opens after November 6th, i’m There!!!
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Well, I think I'm going to have to give up on these implants. Another infection last weekend put me in the hospital. So annoying! I can't live on antibiotics though, and I don't want to feel chained to an area with a hospital in fear of cellulitis. Next stop, either flat or flap! Tally ho, and best of luck to all you lovlies! Xoxoxox
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Littleblueflowers, so sorry to hear of your recent hospitalization. While your decision is totally personal, I get it. All these setbacks are annoying to say the least!! We just want to be done and not have to think about all this anymore. I pray for clarity and peace for you as you explore your next steps.
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Oh Jen/Littleblueflowers. I'm so sorry you've been plagued by repeat infections and you're now faced with deciding a new plan. It's just not fair. You were so good with following all their precautions/guidelines after every surgery even if they seemed ridiculous (the heart rate restrictions I know were tough on you). Ugh.
Do you have to make a decision by a certain time? Does the field season for your work factor in? I hope you can do something that is good for you physically as well as mentally, and still lets you stay as active as possible through the process.
- xoxo
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Hi all!
12 Days post op. What a huge improvement- the sponge bob square boobs in my armpits and collarbones are gone! I am so pleased with the results. Natrelle MX4104-445. This time the form actually shows the anatomical shape. The incisions in the under boob area are pretty long but will end up in the fold- a fold! The implants have a more natural movement, also. My sponge bob bra-less time is over. I can tell these will always need support like real boobs. Prob a full C. I was a natural D before. Feels like I am me again.
Found a great compression bra by Enell with hooks up the front. Full support in the back as well. Highly recommend, avail online. $67 ish but worth the comfort. Zero pain with it on, a lot of tenderness in a softer bra for sleep. The overall pain was very minimal compared to the2015 total pec shred and expander drama. Most of the pain after surgery was in the center chest where I'm assuming the pecs were repaired/tightened. I quit the oxy after 3 days and popped ibuprofen now and then. There was more swelling on the right side (right handed) but now the boobs appear pretty symmetrical, It hasn't settle enough to see what the rippling and top edge will be. I will accept all of that and skip any fixes due to hating surgery so much. I am so glad I made the decision to get this done. I can see myself topless without cringing and sadness again. So so so grateful. This was at Kaiser- Santa Clara, California. Drs Ho and Kwan. I wish I had this option in 2015! Very grateful that I had no complications. Aside from the usual pain pill nausea and constipation (oy!) I couldn't be happier with the whole experience.
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littleblueflowers, I'm so sorry that the infections have kept coming and that the implants have to go. I'm sure it's not an easy decision but I hope you find peace with however you decide to move forward. {{{hugs}}}
nlosgatos, I'm so happy for you that the surgery went well and that you're so please with the results. I'm sure you're thrilled with the new level of comfort, so good for you!
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Aww, littleblueflowers, so sorry to hear of you having that infection. That is a rotten circumstance. I hope you figure out what will work for you. I wish you the best of luck.
Nlosgatos, nice to hear from you and very glad you have a much better Prepectoral result. I know what you mean about cringing and sadness. That's exactly how it was for me for almost 2 horrific years. I don't absolutely love it now, but it isn't completely freakishly horrible like it was. Now I let myself have brief glimpses without crying.
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littleblue, I'm sending you an empathy hug! ((((Squeeze)))))
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Thank you ladies! I'd still recommend overs to anyone except me. Wish I could keep them, but they just won't behave. Looking for DIEP surgeons in the Pacific Northwest if anyone has any recommendations....be well and stay beautiful!
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Just want to add Dr Ryan Gobble at UC in Cincinnati is also doing above the pec implants for reconstruction. I am using him and he has done a beautiful job so far wi the TE!
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glad you have had a good doctor amtreb.
Sorry I do not know anyone in the Pacific NW little blue
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Hi amtreb, glad you had a good result. I have added your PS to the list. Hope you continue to heal well and have a great outcome after the exchange.
Littleblueflowers, I am sad to see you go from this thread because of the damned infections. I had heard some doctor at UW Dr Shanon Colohan, does DIEP. I am sure other people do DIEP too, I just don't know them. Maybe someone else will answer.
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Thank you macbO4!
Q's for you ladies who have had the implant exchange:
1) My TE were filled yesterday to 400cc's (the max) and they look really decent for 5 weeks post surgery and considering I was not filled at all after the BMX. Q: my left looks and feels bigger, PS said its just how the TE is sitting and wondered if others had this and if it normalized w the implants??
2) who has used teardrops shaped implants and likes and dislikes? We are probably going that way but would love to hear feedback on that.
Thank so much!
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I had teardrop shaped. Got rid of them in September. They were wide and flat looking on me and I never liked them. Add in the textured surface of all teardrop implants and the risk (miniscule, but there) of ALCL...they had to go.
Others on here love them. You'll get a lot of input to help you decide.
Good luck.
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Amtred - I thought one side looked bigger than the other when I had my expanders too. My PS kept telling me they were the same volume, just sitting differently and he would fix that. I had my exchange to implants 2 weeks ago and I am very pleased to say I have a matched set now. Hang in there (no pun intended!)
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Amtred- I also had one side that looked bigger even though they had the same volume. When they exchanged them, the TEs were sent to pathology and lo and behold, the one that looked smaller was about 80 grams less than the other (or about 80 ccs). I must have had a slow leak. Anyway, the side that was smaller with my TEs now looks larger than the other side after exchange. Turns out the PS put an older model implant on that side. They are both the same volume but just sit differently in my chest. For me it’s not worth another surgery to fix it. Just things I wish I had known beforehand.0
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Hi amtreb, I think you mean Anatomical Shaped when you say Tear drop? I have a Mentor 495cc High Profile Anatomic Silicone Implant. I initally had a moderate profile 420cc. Way, way too small and way, way too flat. Looked like a hamburger bun. There was very little projection, didn't match my R breast, and just was oddly flat looking. I don't completely love it now, as it is still slightly smaller than it should be, but it is a vast improvement. Lots of woman describe moderate profile implants as too flat, lacking normal projection, like a hamburger bun or man boob. No one wants a "moob", unless they have a small frame, and even then, not many woman like the flat, wide breast look.
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Yes I mean teardrop, wasn't sure which was the best way to refer to it
My surgeon uses Natrelle brand implants, I will try to do a search here for those who've had those specifically, maybe they differ?
My expanders at 400cc seem huge so I can't imainge going much bigger but I guess it is distributed differently. I'm 5'9 and about 145 lbs athletic build but broad shoulders and ribs so I guess I can prob take a little larger implant if the shape is not so round like the implant.
Did you have fat grafting as well??
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amtreb I had anatomicals placed in may. I'm an inch taller and ten pounds heavier than you and the 475cc seems right to me. It's just a touch smaller than my natural breasts were. I am having some unfortunate rippling in my cleavage area ( looks like I have ribs on my boob) which I'm hoping will be lessened by fat grafting I have scheduled for November 13. There's some weird rippling laterally when I Bend over that the PS says can't be addressed without replacing the implants. Generally I think they are pretty good cosmetically but they still feel weird.
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Amtreb,
I have anatomical shaped implants, Mentor, style 334-1252. They ended up being placed subpectoral. They are medium height (I'm petite- 5' - so I'm assuming that's why medium height instead of high profile), high projection, cohesive Ill, CPG, textured. I'm 6 wks post exchange and very pleased. I think I have decent projection (not flat). I also had some fat grafting at time of exchange and I think I'm still retaining most of it.
With the TE's they did not look good or like they went together at all(they were different shape and size). Hope this is helpful. If you have more specific questions feel free to PM me.
Littleblueflowers, I'm so sorry that you had another infection that placed you in the hospital and are now having to look at other avenues for recon. Praying you have direction and clarity.
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Had revision for capsular contracture just about a month ago. Man that implant was high and tight. I was getting limited with the wardrobe pieces that would work. Always had to have a push up bra on. The pocket was very inflamed and the implant had ruptured. My culture results were all negative, but they don't do the extra test for biofilm, so who knows. I had a hematoma during recovery and had to be put back under for draining, fixing the bleed, blood transfusion, and sewn back up again. Unexpected sleep over in the hospital.
Significantly less pain for this surgery, The foob looks pretty good, though there's not a full IMF, and the scar is a little higher than the fold. Incision is mostly healed up, just two small scabs, hopefully they will be gone by my next post op appointment Wednesday. I am still very sore and tight under my arm and the tightness has increased across my chest. I had drains for 10 days. I really hope it's not contracting again and it's just still swollen and the capsule forming is making it a bit tighter. It was SO nice and soft and squishy right after the drains were removed. I'm frankly freaking out a little. I really hope this works. It cost me over $10,000 even with insurance. Yikes. I'll be paying that off for a while. Hopefully I can talk the hospital into a payment plan and it doesn't totally ruin my credit.
REALLY hope I don't have to move on to some sort of flap reconstruction. I can't do any of the abdominal ones, but I'm definitely, at 46, not ready to go flat. Trying to be positive, but feeling a little scared at the moment.
Anyone else have some tightness in their chest after their over muscle implant exchange? Maybe PT is in order.
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