POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction Reviews
Bilateral Tissue Expander / Silicone implant Breast Reconstruction for unilateral cancer
UPDATED FROM Expander nightmare
2 years post
Post op week 5 following fat graft #5
Expander nightmareApril 2, 2015
$12,000
They look better now than before Cancer.
Expander nightmare's provider
UPDATED FROM Expander nightmare
2 years post
Finished reconstrction by Dr. Figura. October 2013
Expander nightmareApril 1, 2015
This is what my original "finished" reconstruction looked like. Dr. Figuras assessment was that it looked great. My right side shows the result seven months after the permanent implants were placed...flat, misshapen, full of divots and a crazy S shaped scar. I had to have the left side explanted in April 2013 because of infection, but even if both sides had looked the same, it's clear to see why I was not happy. And worse than that, the photos Dont show the problems with constant pain, muscle spasms and restricted movement that I was still experiencing at that time. Here I had lost 10 months of my life to reconstruction and this was what I had to show for it.
Replies (3)
April 1, 2015
This post is from a while ago, but I hope that you are doing much better and happier with final or near final result with second surgeon. Would love to know of your follow up reconstruction/revisions. In disbelief of your story and how first PS could disregard her errors especially to another surgeon. Sorry for your journey being the road it has been and hoping today you are doing much better.
April 18, 2015
You sure have been through hell and back. My mother had both breasts removed 20 years apart and then expanders and breast reconstruction. Eventually she had saline implant that had to be removed and had to go to the wound center for management for over 20 years. I cannot believe how ignorant and nasty your plastic surgeon was and I DO KNOW how upsetting it is to face breast cancer. To have this other problem that the plastic surgeon caused blamed on you is outrageous. I, myself have had my share of problems and blame by the plastic surgeon and another one I saw but the dermatologist and a third plastic surgeon have both supported my keen desire to have scar revision for painful scarring. Like you, I am educated and though I thought I picked a good plastic surgeon, but I guess in hindsight, I should have looked around and considered others before deciding on him. Sometimes I cannot believe how stupid I was and how I just kept waiting and waiting "like a good girl" for the pain to be alleviated. I am finally tired of hearing platitudes from my surgeon and with the backing of my dermatologist am going to have more surgery done for scar revision.
I hope you find a way to either have more surgery done that will make you happier (you truly deserve it) or that you find a way to make peace with things. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE TO DO!!!
UPDATED FROM Expander nightmare
2 years post
Fat grafting revision procedure #5
Expander nightmareApril 1, 2015
Nothing speaks louder and clearer than results. I am still taped for support but am ecstatic with my outcome. I see no need for nipples so I may be finally done with this whole nightmare behind me
Replies (1)
April 1, 2015
That looks so much better! Can you give more details regarding fat grafting? How many sessions did you need and did you get new implants? I may need FG to correct my recon with implants. Thanks.
April 2, 2015
I had the implant on the right also removed since I was developing a severe capsular contracture with nerve entrapment. The pain was unbearable. I underwent a total of 5 fat grafts, about 200 ml on each side each time, and my best guess is that 80% of the fat transferred sur
April 2, 2015
Survived . The grafts were done 3 to 6 months apart. I am completely implant free and as the fat was added my tissues softened and I was able to get back most of the range of motion in my arms, I can now breathe deeply without pain. As an added benefit my lymphedema is much improved as well
April 4, 2015
Thank you for posting, it gives hope to those of us on the reconstruction journey.
Replies (3)