surgery for capsular contracture of 17yr old implants w. alloderm

gobuster
gobuster Posts: 4
in Breast Reconstruction

After 17yrs….. 2009 double mastectomy, silicone implants and alloderm, I finally visited a plastic surgeon who said I have implant capsular contracture on both sides. I had normal MRI results in 2012 and 2023 to check for implant leaking. I am surprised how extensive this surgery plan is. 1st surgery to remove the implant and scarring and alloderm. fat grafting (I don't know when that happens or what body part the fat come from). expanders. Wait 6 months and have new implants put in. Has anyone else had this surgury and what was your experience.

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Comments

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 10,640

    @gobuster, we're so sorry to hear of the capsular contracture concerns that you're experiencing. The following articles may help prepare you on what to expect, and what your options are with revision surgery, and fat grafting:

    https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/corrective-reconstruction/capsular-contracture

    https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/types/autologous-flap/fat-grafting

    We also recommend browsing through the discussion threads listed under our Reconstruction Forum — you may find this discussion helpful.

    It wouldn't hurt to consult with additional reconstructive surgeons if you're concerned with how extensive this recommended surgery plan is; other surgeons may recommend a different approach that doesn't involve fat-grafting and /or the placement of tissue expanders.

  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Posts: 159

    After 10 years, I had my silicone implants removed, I replaced them with smaller saline implants and I also had a diep flap surgery using my own body fat to smooth out the top and reduce the risk of another capsular contracture. I am currently 10 months past the revision surgery, my breasts look 100% better BUT I believe my left breast (the radiated one) is starting to get harder much like the silicone implant has previously done. I am currently taking a medication (off label) to help my body assimilate the implant. I am still glad I did it, because i had horrible uncomfortable iron bra feeling on my left breast before and that has gone now.

  • sweet_pea175
    sweet_pea175 Posts: 4

    Did either or both of you have any problems with encapsulation of your expanders? Maybe you didn’t have them as part of your reconstruction?

    I ask because I can completely relate to the painful, tight feeling of capsular contracture, but it’s been a characteristic of my experience with tissue expanders. I currently have a third tissue expander in right now, and am having it removed and replaced with a silicone implant tomorrow, in fact. The weird thing is, I know my body has a tendency to develop pretty painful cases, although not the worst “level” apparently, of encapsulation if I have a tissue expander. I’m 3 for 3!

    While my situation is different because the surgery is finally going to remove both the expander (L) and the silicone implant from 2018 (R.) after a crazy two years following a post-op infection in the expander, the procedure you describe is very similar.

    From my experience with capsular contracture in expanders and what my current surgeon explained about the procedure tomorrow, the removal of the tissue forming the “capsule” around the expander or implant is usually very helpful in helping with pain or discomfort. Were you having pain that led to the ultimate discovery of the capsular contracture?

    I’ve seen many different ways to reconstruct after removing this pesky tissue, and it seems that women tend to be happier with the results of their reconstruction when fat-grafting than with implants. I had both options on the table in March, but when I finally got off the waitlist for surgery, my surgeon said that she was too concerned about doing an adapted DIEP procedure (in my case, the fat would come from my abdominal area, each side would be taken and used in the already existing pockets on each side).


    Gobuster: even though it does sound like a long process, I must say, I’m envious that you can have fat-grafting.

    When are you beginning your process?

    Trinigirl50: have you had a specialist look at the left breast where you feel the hardening? My left also had radiation and is also much more susceptible to different types of problems than my right breast. I’d encourage you to get ahead of the hardening and consult a specialist (I’m guessing plastic/reconstructive surgeon?). I’m so glad you’re happy with the esthetic component even if it took a while. :)

    Please cross your fingers for me for tomorrow. I’ve been struggling to get proper follow-up care after the severe prosthetic infection and five months of antibiotics tanked my quality of life. They‘ll send the tissue samples and prostheses to pathology for various cultures. I’m really hoping that removing both prostheses and also the tissue surrounding them will help me gain back some energy and shed some light on whether I’ve been living with a chronic biofilm infection or an autoimmune condition, for example, that was triggered by the infection.

    Here’s to better quality of life for all of us!

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