saline implant after simple mastectomy

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fortunata - 07 Apr 2007 21:00 GMT

good stories here? bad?

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Barb - 09 Apr 2007 17:02 GMT

I did breast reconstruction in 1985, following a modified radical mastectomy
and a year of chemotherapy. A tissue expander and a saline implant were
used. Nipple was reconstructed from a skin graft a year later. I've had
the same implant since then and have not had any problems. A friend had
similar and had one implant go flat. It was replaced and I believe that
she's also had no problems since.

Barb

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pumpkin - 10 Apr 2007 09:11 GMT

"a year of chemotherapy"> How in the world did you cope!? You sound totally
amazing....I am so impressed that you've had the implant 20+ years, that is
very very encouraging! I had read that as time passes the "real" breast
droops and the "fake" one RISES and hardens, making symmetry worse and
worse. your experience doesn't sound too bad....you had just ONE implant,
right? I don't want to do both. Do you like the nipple/graft? do you have
discomfort? was the tissue expansion part uncomfortable/difficult? does the
implant feel cold and hard? (someone said "like a brick on my chest")?
thank you very VERY much, Barb, for your input. Considering the advances in
the last 20 years, it's encouraging to hear from someone who did well "even
back then." And you've had no recurrence, which is encouraging too. Thanks
so much for your input.

>I did breast reconstruction in 1985, following a modified radical
>mastectomy and a year of chemotherapy. A tissue expander and a saline
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Barb

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Barb - 10 Apr 2007 20:32 GMT

Hi Pumpkin,

Some comments are interspersed:

"> "a year of chemotherapy"> How in the world did you cope!?
My chemo was a combination of 5FU, Cytoxan, Vincristine, Methotrexate and
Prednisone. It was a three week on, three week off regimen. Three of the
drugs were IV and the other two were oral. I worked as a kindergarten
teacher during the entire treatment (and continue to), had two elementary
school aged children at home---and an incredibly supportive and loving
husband. Can't forget to mention all the wonderful support of my loyal
friends and colleagues too.

You sound totally

> amazing....I am so impressed that you've had the implant 20+ years, that
> is very very encouraging! I had read that as time passes the "real" breast
> droops and the "fake" one RISES and hardens, making symmetry worse and
> worse. your experience doesn't sound too bad.

The only complaint I have is that I've gained a lot of weight and, of
course, the implant doesn't grow in proportion. That's my own fault! Yes,
the real boob is sagging, but the "fake" one hasn't risen or hardened. It
feels very much like my real breast.

...you had just ONE implant,

> right? I don't want to do both. Do you like the nipple/graft?

The nipple graft was a "finishing touch" and I'm satisfied with it. Guess
it needs to be said that the reconstructed breast (including nipple) isn't
my real breast. It isn't a perfect match. Expectations need to be
reasonable. The plastic surgeon was quite clear about that. It filled my
bra cup (before the weight gain) and "balanced" me. It kept there from
being a hard, flat, bony right side of my chest. It is convenient not to
have to wear a prosthesis. Many women don't ever feel the need to do
reconstruction. It was a good choice for me.

do you have

> discomfort?

I don't have discomfort. However, once in a while, the muscle that used to
lie next to my chest wall (which is now over the prosthesis), cramps (as
muscles will) and slightly flattens my prosthesis. The cramping feeling is
a bit uncomfortable (mostly around the back), but it passes as muscle cramps
do.

was the tissue expansion part uncomfortable/difficult?
The tissue expansion part was a little inconvenient, but never very
uncomfortable. I was impatient for the process to be done so I could see
the result of the reconstruction....and I was a tad lopsided for the amount
of time it took to do the expanding. I compensated by wearing things that
didn't accentuate my breastline.
I really don't remember how long it took......maybe a matter of 4-6 months.

does the

> implant feel cold and hard?

No, the implant isn't cold or hard. It is the same temperature as my body.
I worked hard during the expansion process and for a while after to keep
there from being encapsulation of the prothesis....When tissue builds around
the internal prothesis, it can take an odd shape. My plastic surgeon had
very definite instructions about how to keep that from happening. I
"pushed" it around, rolled on the floor over magazines, etc. to keep there
from becoming internal tissue that would cause an unnatural looking result.

(someone said "like a brick on my chest")?

> thank you very VERY much, Barb, for your input. Considering the advances
> in the last 20 years, it's encouraging to hear from someone who did well
> "even back then." And you've had no recurrence, which is encouraging too.
> Thanks so much for your input.

Even more important than all the reconstruction "stuff", the bottom line is
NO RECURRENCE.

I wish you well, Pumpkin. Let us know how you are .

Barb

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