TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
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kae - My implants are bigger than I wanted. I specifically said (repeatedly) that I wanted to stay the same size and was told that he would match the size to the weight of what was removed. These are wider and heavier than the original equipment.
When I complained, the PS kept saying that they match my frame - which is total BS. Apparently he only looks at my height (5'7") and not at my slight bone structure and weight (115 lbs). My BS says most PS's would say they are fine, but she can see how they are wide at the base. She actually told me that she knew a PS who said they always put use larger implants because women always want to be bigger! Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!
Anyway - I ordered some sports-type bras from Amazon soon after my surgery that were called Vermilion something. They gave just a bit of support and really no compression. I went to a specialty shop at about 10 weeks post op and was fitted because I couldn't find anything on the racks. I went from a 36B (probably should have been 34C) to a 32E.
I wouldn't say that you'll get used to being a size you don't want to be, but I have adjusted to it. It helps if you're feeling better. And can wear a bra that helps with shaping. And I think you also tend to forget quite what you were like before after a while.
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yes he is on the list... he is nice but.... will let you know on my follow up this january...
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Kae, my PS filled my expanders bigger than I wanted and tried to convince me that I needed to go that big. So about two weeks before my swap to implants, I sent an email and put in writing exactly what I wanted and didn't want. He called me (first time ever!) and confirmed that he understood. I was so much happier when I woke up finally the size I wanted! I couldn't be more pleased. Sometimes you just have to be very firm and putting things in writing is very effective because they sure don't want a paper trail that went against your wishes!
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I wanted to chime in on what NotVeryBrave said. I don't know if you've tried Coobies or something similar but for me that has been helpful. I'm almost 11 weeks post exchange and it is still difficult to find a regular bra that is comfortable. But it is also not comfortable to be without one - I'm just much more aware of the implants without the support. The Coobies (or similar/yoga bras) seem to give support that helps with the "plastered to the chest" feeling. I wear something 24/7, at least right now (never thought I'd do that). I have an older sports bra that is somewhat stretched that I sleep in, so it supports but doesn't feel restrictive. I don't pull any of these over my head but step into them, don't think I could pull over. I really hope you are able to get some relief.
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sitti, I'm glad you chimed in. I have the same experience, and I am almost 18 weeks post exchange. My implant doesn't "hurt", really, not really "pressure", not really spasms. I guess I have this foreign mass in my chest!LOL my body is like "what did you do????" HAHA You have given me reasons to not be too worried, thx
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I'm sorry to all of you who are struggling with the uncomfortable implants. I have to say, with all the crap I went through and the horrible results I ended up with at least I feel blessed not to have that discomfort. I am lucky to be able to wear "regular" bras that I owned before this shit-show started. I just have to add one Genie bra insert on the infection side to even the size and cinch up the non-infection strap so that it lifts a little and I end up looking pretty good in clothes. What a crock that we've all gone through so much and STILL have to "work" to get a decent result. That's some bull right there.
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ladies, thanks for the support.sitti, you described it so perfectly!!! plastered to the chest feeling. that and heaviness and sometines iron bra. i could not sleep on my sides! 2 Fun, yes i think my body is not wanting the implant....i honestly think that... i have tried onso many bras and to no avail. will look at the coobie. also i have not tolerated a bra for years due to severe reflux . she far i have one camisole that i use but does not provide all that support still..
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Hey Ready2bedone. I think you are completely right. Put what you want in writing and ask for a written response back from the PS, saying they understand your size requirements. I like the idea of a written trail. All doctors fear litigation at some level. They will likely be more careful to try and give women what they want, not just suit themselves.
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Well, I went to my 3 mos f/u post revision and change to pre-pecs yesterday. The PS took one look at me and immediately noted my areas of concern: inadequate fat coverage on left, some rippling on left, slight drop off on upper pole of right. In her next breath she said she had some spots open before the end of the year and would I like to have another round of fat grafting.
Yes, yes I would! Now I'm on the schedule for 12/19! It should be a pretty easy surgery, as no big incisions will be made and she'll use the same little incisions for harvest that she made in September.
Woo hoo!
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I would just like to chime in regarding the discomfort of the implants and maybe give a little hope. My pre-pecs felt so foreign to me from day 1. I was expecting this great relief as my expanders were to be replaced with my "squishies". Everyone on the Exchange thread talked of how much better they felt getting rid of the expanders. Not me. My implants felt too heavy, too projected, too narrow, too firm, too un-anchored, yet tight. Too saggy (already)! Big step off from my chest. Lots of ripples. Painful. Sharp edges. I felt pain as the implants rubbed against the inside of my skin. Pain when I laid on my side to sleep. Pain when I stood up. Pain when I crossed an arm over my chest. Pain when I reached for something. Pain when I pressed down to cut vegetables with a knife or tried to open a jar. My ps had given me larger implants than I wanted too. Is that a guy thing? I gave it 7 months. Then I had my revision done by my new female ps. She addressed the too projected/too narrow problem by changing the implant to a wider base, slightly less projection. The too firm was addressed by going with a full projection instead of extra full. But the icing on the cake that took me from misery and wanting to ditch implants altogether to now being over the moon happy was my ps skill at using extensive fat grafting. She removed the original implants, filled the space between the skin and the pocket with my fat, tightened the pockets slightly and placed smaller implants, just 30cc smaller but wider base that fit my chest so much better. She anchored them to my chest and tightened my skin, lifting them. Then she injected more fat along the edges. Now I am in complete comfort. I am only 6 days post-op and still have my drains and yet I am pain free. My implants are toasty warm, and super cushioned from the fat. The only thing I feel is the drains. The implants no longer rub against the inside of my skin. I hardly notice them at all. And the recovery has been so easy! With all I had done, I was expecting a pretty difficult recovery. Nope, way easier than my first exchange!
Some people forego implants altogether and just have flaps or even boobs constructed completely out of fat. That is what gave me the idea to find a ps that had experience doing all-over fat grafting, not just the upper poles. Women who have had radiation or skin infections often get the fat injected over the whole area of breast to help the integrity of the skin. Then the implant is placed. While I didn't have either of those situations, I did have major discomfort due to the thinness of my skin, coupled with the pre-pec placement of the implants. I figured it was worth a shot and I am so happy I stood up for myself and left my ps who does not perform extensive fg and found someone who did. So glad I didn't settle. I will gladly have more fg if some of this is absorbed. It is so worth it!!
VegGal, congrats on your upcoming fg!! That's great she has some openings in December! Best wishes you get all your concerns addressed.
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Thanks, Shoregirl. I'm happy that you are so satisfied. A change in PS can make all the difference. My first one was dismissive as well.
Here's hoping your grafted fat survives. Quite a bit of mine did, but 3 months in the need for more is there, and I was aware that it probably would be. Around week 3 the swelling really started to abate and things slowly started changing. Isn't fat in the drain gross?
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Shoregirl - Thanks for sharing your specific details. That gives me hope that maybe one day I'll go for another surgery and be happier! Probably my worst area of discomfort is the lack of any tissue on my sides, under my bra strap. I feel like my ribs are just right there!
How did you find a PS that does all over fat grafting? Maybe you could PM me the name. I'm in Maryland, too.
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Very Nice Shoregirl ! So good you have a PS who listens and is good with all over Fat Grafting. That is great to hear how much easier your recovery has been, and that you are much more comfortable. Your story does help other women in making their choices. I hope most of your fat sticks around.
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Shoregirl, glad to read about your success. Years from now, if and when I ever have these implants replaced (which, honestly, is very unlikely) I'll have to look for a PS who does more fat grafting. Although my PS was willing to do that for me it was, of course, at my insistence. Then again I'm hoping "years from now" there have been more advances in reconstruction as well and that fighting/clawing for a good result isn't so difficult.
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You are so right about that Raven. It shouldn't be such a struggle to get more than a substandard result. I always regret that I let myself be browbeat and terrified into any of it.
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VegGal, yes the fat in the drain is gross! I didn't even think about it being fat until I read your post. Thankfully she pulled the drains yesterday. Still sore from the fg 1 week post op, but healing nicely. My ps told me my right implant done by my 1st ps only had a postage stamp size piece of Alloderm while the left had the proper amt. Weird!
Brave, I am glad my post gave you hope, that was my intent. I had the exact same problem, too much tissue taken from my sides. I would be happy to give you the ps name, will send it to you.
Macb04, Raven thank you. I feel very fortunate to have found this ps and gotten the results I hoped for. I know I will never have perfection, but with this surgeon, its close enough. I sincerely hope if you do decide in the future to look into revision you find the perfect surgeon for the job. I think with my 1st ps, since it was fresh from the cancer diagnosis, I rushed into it. I obviously did not have any experience or knowledge as to what to ask, fat grafting certainly wasn't even in my vocabulary. But once I had the mx and the exchange and the scare factor was behind me, I had time to really research and find the surgeon that was on the same page as me. Of course, revision is a personal decision for each of us, and so many things factor into it. But no, you shouldn't have to claw and fight for a good result.
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Hi All,
Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Holiday and a Safe, Healthy New Year,
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Thanks, macb! Back at you, and to all the rest of you wonderful women on this thread. I'm off the Europe in just six days. Can't wait!
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Raven - have a great time!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
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Hi ladies, I finally had surgery to switch implants to pre-pec. Wow! What a difference. My pain is diminished by ~70% and I can swing my arms back to their normal position when I walk/run. I had no idea how much the pectoral muscles being lifted were hindering my ROM and gait. My surgeon was amazing. She really listened to me and did not dissect too much, nor did she use any more ADM (I got red breast syndrome from Alloderm after my BMX with direct-to-implants). I had prepared myself for a lot of pain as I've spoken to several women on the phone who said the switch to over the pec surgery was almost as painful as their mastectomy. INstead, I woke up with very little pain and by the following morning I didn't need any pain meds.
Plus, my right pec was shredded when she got in there. It was hanging loose and was detached at the sternum area as well as at the bottom. My new PS called the first PS to make sure he wasn't cutting the pec muscle vertically on purpose. He said he didn't do it and also acknowledged that he had "no idea what to do" with me. Thus, living up to the name I have given him: Dr. Nincompoop.
I had fat grafting as well. The harvest sites were the most painful part of my recovery but she was able to get some fat into the sides of my prophy breasts that had zero fat in it from my mastectomy surgeon being ,euphemistically, "too aggressive". Not sure how much fat will live as it has only been 2 weeks. Oh, and bonus: I look a heck of a lot better even though that was not the reason I did pre-pec.
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reneeCA, I'm so glad your change to pre pectorals worked well. My PS actually said to me "people don't really use their pecs much" (hello, I just got done telling you I am a PT!). Thankfully he listened to me.
Kudos to PS 2 calling dr. N. Sometimes I think Dr's don't ever hold each other responsible for their quality of care.
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Raven, have a great time in Europe!
reneeCA, that's so nice you got a much improved result, and a pretty pain free change to Prepectoral. That is great you are much more comfortable.
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Hi Shoregirl,
I'm scheduled to have my 650cc sub pectoral I plants swapped for pre pectoral 475cc on 1/10/18. I never knew that you can have pain with pre-pectoral implants rubbing on the skin. My PS mentioned fat grafting and lip and I really shred away as that's a BIG surgery in addition to just what I'm doing already and not without risks in a thin person. How are you doing now? Has anyone else you've heard from on here had the same experience with post pain after pre pectoral? I'm nervous hearing this since I don't have pain now, just the iron bra and a lot of chest movement at the gym.
Thanks!
Mimi
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Hi mimi68, and Welcome to this Prepectoral Implant Reconstruction thread. I would say I had some degree of improvement in the iron bra sensation, and no pain to speak of. Most of the responses on this thread have pretty much the same result, although a couple unfortunate women have told me they are still as uncomfortable after changing to Prepectoral as they were with Subpectoral Implant Reconstruction. I guess it is mostly good but not universally perfect, just like everything else they do to us. Good Luck and Happy Holiday.
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I’m curious to hear how the iron bra resolves as I have it, too. My revision didn’t fix it - my surgeon is thinking it’s nerve damage -but so many women here have been relieved of constant pain and I’m thrilled for them. Wishing you the best of luck, K
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Have fun Raven!!!
ReneeCA, I am so happy for you getting substantial relief from your move to pre-pec, and having a ps that listens to you. I had to switch ps too as my 1st one kept dismissing my concerns, and would not do fat grafting to pad the defects left on my sides from the bmx and subsequent "dog ear" revision. I hope your fat survives and you continue to feel improvement.
Mimi, before my revision, I attributed my pain from implants to thin skin and no fat. But since swapping out my implants not only for slightly smaller, but a different brand with a lower fill ratio...I really think that helped. My 1st implants were VERY firm!! My softer implants are so much more comfy. Also, my right side only had a postage stamp size piece of alloderm, while the left had the normal amount. Weird! I wonder if that had anything to do with the right flipping over backwards 3 times!! Nothing holding it! She added more alloderm to the right, but not the left. I am extremely happy I had the fat grafting done as well, and have already decided to have more done. I am average build, not thin, not thick, but do have some fat around the love handles she can use. My body has already absorbed a lot of the fat on the left side. My new ps told me up front that I would likely want a few sessions of fg, based on what I had told her. She was right! I see her on Jan 3 to re-assess everything.
She said she can do fg right in her office surgical suite, no need for OR unless I need more alloderm. Unfortunately, I think she may need to put some alloderm in the left side. The implant has migrated toward center and dropped lower than the right.
Happy Holidays all!!
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Thanks Macb04,
I’m just torn about whether to fix what isn’t broken. They’ve always said my outcome is more like augmentation, it’s very, very good, albeit too large. I worry about the skin simply not holding the implants up long term, even with Alloderm. I’m reading this entire thread to decide but may just pull the plug and stay with Smaller implant exchange as sub pectoral, it’s too hard to turn back later if I experience complications with Pre-pectoral that I don’t have now. Thank you all for your honesty, it’s incredbly helpful!
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas!
Mimi
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mimi68, I started with pre pectoral after UMX. I am.large framed and my 40 B/C breast was equal to a 695cc implant. My only complaint is that I have discomfort/pulling/heaviness. Even supported with a bra at all times. If you go pre pectoral be aware the larger ones like I have are quite heavy. I would have never gone smaller, b/c being heavy, I need my bust to balance my hips (I am a seamstress and obsess about fitting proportions ). I am glad I had pre pectoral b/c I have a physically demanding job.
Good luck you!
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2FUN, do you have Alloderm or some other matrix added for support?
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yes I have Alloderm. Not sure on details. As PS lost most of the medical record when the system was hacked. My breasts were naturally a bit "hanging" to the sides, so my implant is really close to natural.
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