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Unhappy with Reconstruction After Mastectomy?

asked 1 year ago by SoCASue in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 729 times
Tags: asymmetry, mastectomy, pain, revision

I had a bilateral mastectomy last year, with tissue expanders and silicone implants. My breasts don't match and one side hurts. The implant moves differently (like it's loose) on the painful side, is below the crease, and an inch lower than the other side. Everytime I bring up the pain and that one side is lower and below the crease, my doc says she is happy with the result. I want them to come close to matching! Am I being unreasonable? If not, how do I get her to address my concerns?

9 answers to Unhappy with Reconstruction After Mastectomy?

+2

Asymmetric breast reconstruction

Perfect symmetry will never happen but it sounds like it might be possible to to more for you.  However, if one side was radiated, there will absolutely never be great symmetry so there are important history details you have not given.  Was one side done for cancer and the other prophylactically?  Was there radiation done to one side?  etc.  If you aren't happy, maybe a visit to another surgeon is in order.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reconstruction

As for the appearance, I can not comment because I do not know how they look. Bare in mind, no two breasts are exactly the same, so asymmetry to some degree is normal.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Appearance of breasts after reconstruction.

I would recommend getting another opinion. It is far easier to get symmetry usually in someone after a doublke mastectomy rather than a single. Different things can be done to achieve this.
Edward J. Domanskis, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Asymmetry after Breast Reconstruction

It is not unreasonable to desire that your reconstructed breasts "come close to matching." This is much easier with bilateral reconstructions than unilateral ones. However, it may still not be possible. Revising the reconstruction and either lowering or, especially, raising the inframammary crease is quite difficult. The "pain" is something that happens occasionally. It may wear off, or you may be able to do some desensitization and resolve it. If your present surgeon... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Unhappy with Reconstruction After Mastectomy?

Reasonable = yes but possibility is another matter. Best to obtain a few in person opinions. Remember "realistic expectations" are paramount in any reconstruction. Best of luck. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Satisfaction after breast reconstruction

While it is impossible to re-create the breasts the way they were before a mastectomy, I do not think you are being unreasonable in bringing up your dissatisfaction. Whether the breasts can be easily adjusted or not is obviously another question. I do not think there is much harm in seeking a second opinion. You may also wish to post some photographs in this forum.
Anindya Lahiri, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reconstruction

It is reasonable for you to want to be as symmetric as possible. However there will always be some slight differences. Pain is a concern as well as your statement that one breast is below the inframammary fold.
David L. Abramson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Did you have radiation

Breast reconstruction with implants are very challenging. There is minimal soft tissue coverage. The other concern is the quality of the skin due to the radiation . Fat grafting post reconstruction is a promising new technique and you may want second opinion if your surgeon disagrees with you about the results. Please be realistic.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post-mastectomy breast reconstruction

There are two aspects to this question/issue. One is a patient's dissatisfaction with a result. The other is the potential of the procedure itself. Certainly the only reason to undergo plastic surgery is to improve your face or body to the degree that it has a positive effect of you. if you are dissatisfied, that is a shortcoming of your result. The other part of the question is whether your expectations can ever be met by your surgeries. Some surgeries are inherently imperfect. Breast... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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