POSTED UNDER Capsular Contracture Treatment REVIEWS
Breast Implant Revision from Capsular Contracture, Bottoming out and Extrusion - Fairfax, VA
ORIGINAL POST
I just had revision surgery 4 days ago. My...
ShawnC81January 14, 2014
WORTH IT$5,900
I just had revision surgery 4 days ago. My original implants were eight years old. This who debacle started a year ago. My dog yanked on her chain and pulled me down steps. This forced a tear in my implant pocket and cause a capsular contracture. I let it go as it wasn't horrible and I pushed through the pain. I'm an athlete and in September I re-injured that chest muscle again. At this point I knew I needed to plan to get it fixed. I went to several consultations and settled on my surgeon. I picked him because he didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear. He actually had opinions on the subject. That told me he knew what he was doing.
I set up my surgery for February.
We budgeted for it and realized we had the money saved sooner so bumped my surgery date up to mid January. This was right before Christmas. During Christmas something happened and all of a sudden I had a bruise forming under my breast with the CC. It felt like my implant was trying to push out of me. Over the next few days it only got worse. My skin was so thin I could see the implant through it. This was particularly upsetting because my original surgery was through the underarm... No incisions under my breast. I was blowing up my surgeons office. He was in vacation for the holidays. I finally emailed him and he wrote me back. Telling me to calm down that implant extrusions were very rare but to come into the office the day he got back from vacation.
I did and as soon as he saw me, he confirmed I was right. And he was a little surprised. Of course I would have a complication only 1% of people have... I can't win the lottery or something good like that!
He booked me in to his first available surgery slot and in I went, not really knowing what the outcome would be.
Turns out he cleaned out the scar tissue, replaced my implants from 470ccs to 400ccs. And he had to cut off a half moon of skin he was unable to save because of the extrusion. The other breast that was "fine"actually needed a lot of work when he got in there. Without saying it, he gave me the impression that he was not impressed with the work of my original surgeon. A 1.5 hour surgery turned out to be 3 hours long.
The pain has been worse then my last surgery and I've had to be put in a compression bra and ace bandages. Unable to see my own chest I went into my post op today anxious to see what was under all this.
When he took off the bandages I was presently surprised. My breasts are significantly smaller, but sitting up high and perky. One of the pluses to the skin being removed was that I got a mini lift too. The breast that had the CC looks a little funky right now. It's dented underneath where he sewed the skin back together. But I can see how that will even out once my breast heals and drops.
To be honest... My breast shape now is much more flattering then they were before this surgery. I still have a long time of healing to go. I have to stay fully bandaged for at least the next two weeks. I can't workout for the next month.... Which to me is torture. But I'll suck it up to have my breast look beautiful and be pain free again.
I couldn't be more grateful to my surgeon. I have complete faith in him and his ability. I know he did the best with my situation. Now I just gotta hope everything heals like it should!
I set up my surgery for February.
We budgeted for it and realized we had the money saved sooner so bumped my surgery date up to mid January. This was right before Christmas. During Christmas something happened and all of a sudden I had a bruise forming under my breast with the CC. It felt like my implant was trying to push out of me. Over the next few days it only got worse. My skin was so thin I could see the implant through it. This was particularly upsetting because my original surgery was through the underarm... No incisions under my breast. I was blowing up my surgeons office. He was in vacation for the holidays. I finally emailed him and he wrote me back. Telling me to calm down that implant extrusions were very rare but to come into the office the day he got back from vacation.
I did and as soon as he saw me, he confirmed I was right. And he was a little surprised. Of course I would have a complication only 1% of people have... I can't win the lottery or something good like that!
He booked me in to his first available surgery slot and in I went, not really knowing what the outcome would be.
Turns out he cleaned out the scar tissue, replaced my implants from 470ccs to 400ccs. And he had to cut off a half moon of skin he was unable to save because of the extrusion. The other breast that was "fine"actually needed a lot of work when he got in there. Without saying it, he gave me the impression that he was not impressed with the work of my original surgeon. A 1.5 hour surgery turned out to be 3 hours long.
The pain has been worse then my last surgery and I've had to be put in a compression bra and ace bandages. Unable to see my own chest I went into my post op today anxious to see what was under all this.
When he took off the bandages I was presently surprised. My breasts are significantly smaller, but sitting up high and perky. One of the pluses to the skin being removed was that I got a mini lift too. The breast that had the CC looks a little funky right now. It's dented underneath where he sewed the skin back together. But I can see how that will even out once my breast heals and drops.
To be honest... My breast shape now is much more flattering then they were before this surgery. I still have a long time of healing to go. I have to stay fully bandaged for at least the next two weeks. I can't workout for the next month.... Which to me is torture. But I'll suck it up to have my breast look beautiful and be pain free again.
I couldn't be more grateful to my surgeon. I have complete faith in him and his ability. I know he did the best with my situation. Now I just gotta hope everything heals like it should!
UPDATED FROM ShawnC81
5 days post
Photo update
ShawnC81January 15, 2014
Thought I'd add the original photos
Replies (7)
January 15, 2014
Wow, what an amazing story! Did you have any discomfort or aches prior to the dog incident? Since you're an athlete, I wonder if you had any signs of cc prior to your injury? Sounds like things were a bit stressful toward the end but I'm so happy eventually fell into place and that your surgery went well. Can't wait to see more update photos. Take it easy, especially walking your dog! ;)
January 15, 2014
No problems prior to the injury with my dog. She's a strong little girl! She saw a herd of deer in our front yard and went nuts. I'm not walking her... Ever. Til she gets old! My husband walks her and I walk my other little dog who doesn't have any power behind her.
I went back to work yesterday and that was too much. So I'm home today again. Hoping to get back to work soon but don't want to ruin my recovery.
January 17, 2014
I know what you mean about dogs wanting to chase things. My 14lb Morkie loves to run after UPS and FedEx trucks. Great! But your dog sounds a bit larger and stronger. Glad you can take a break from walking her.
Do your coworkers know what type of surgery you had? Sounds like they're supportive either way. Take it easy so your body can heal properly! Yes, it's easier said than done, but do it! ;)
Do your coworkers know what type of surgery you had? Sounds like they're supportive either way. Take it easy so your body can heal properly! Yes, it's easier said than done, but do it! ;)
January 18, 2014
My dig is only 28lbs; a beagle boston terrier mix, so she has a low center of gravity and strong muscular body. She's powerful!
Yes my co-workers know. I run a gym so they knew something was wrong when I stopped working out before my surgery. And they've all had their own share of injuries, one girl doing something similar to herself a year ago, seeing as most of them are athletes as well. So they're understanding!
January 25, 2014
Oh that's cool that your co-workers and gym buddies know about your surgery. After all, if you're at the gym, you're typically trying to improve and maintain your body so it's nice the gym members are respectful of your wishes too. What a great support system. How are you feeling this week at work?
January 25, 2014
I was much better at work this week. I did try to mop one day but that hurt too much so I stopped. I'm the boss there so I has been ordering everyone to mop up after the snow storms and I felt bad I wasn't doing it. So finally I grabbed the mop to help... That was a bad idea and one of my employee scolded me and grabbed the mop out if my hands to do it herself. Lol.
I dibt like telling people to do things when I feel like I can do it. But they've been more then understanding about it.
I'm also getting help from one of our trainers to develop programs to get me back into working out without hurting myself again. I've been blessed for sure!
January 29, 2014
Aww, yes, you are very blessed with your employees looking out for you. You must be an awesome employer. Do take it slow and easy. You have plenty of time to work out soon enough!
UPDATED FROM ShawnC81
7 days post
Pushed too hard too quick
ShawnC81January 16, 2014
I went back to work on tuesday and that was too much. I felt my boobs tweak a bit especially when I was driving. I was ok in the morning but as the day wore on, I was tighter and more uncomfortable. When I got home I have a bit of fluid seepage from my left breast.
So I stayed home from work yesterday and today again. Everyone is really understanding at work... but I'm an over-achiever and I hate feeling like I'm not doing my job the best I can... even though I'm still doing everything from home still. One of the issues I have in my own mind. Even the owners of my company are telling me to stay home and heal... "that they want me for the long haul" and would rather I heel now to be good for the long term.
They're right... I know they are. But it's still difficult for me to hit the breaks when I'm used to working 60-70 hours a week.
Anyway. Last night my husband bought me a body pillow so I was able to hug it an lay somewhat on my side to sleep... which made a HUGE difference! OMG I actually slept through the night without getting up 15 times for the first time in a week. I needed that.
Chest is looking ok. Same as a few days ago. I still have the marker for surgery all over the place. My doctor told me specifically not to scrub it off and just let it wear off over time. Looks stupid which is why I haven't taken any photos. But maybe I'll take a pic so I have something to look at to compare as it heals.
So I stayed home from work yesterday and today again. Everyone is really understanding at work... but I'm an over-achiever and I hate feeling like I'm not doing my job the best I can... even though I'm still doing everything from home still. One of the issues I have in my own mind. Even the owners of my company are telling me to stay home and heal... "that they want me for the long haul" and would rather I heel now to be good for the long term.
They're right... I know they are. But it's still difficult for me to hit the breaks when I'm used to working 60-70 hours a week.
Anyway. Last night my husband bought me a body pillow so I was able to hug it an lay somewhat on my side to sleep... which made a HUGE difference! OMG I actually slept through the night without getting up 15 times for the first time in a week. I needed that.
Chest is looking ok. Same as a few days ago. I still have the marker for surgery all over the place. My doctor told me specifically not to scrub it off and just let it wear off over time. Looks stupid which is why I haven't taken any photos. But maybe I'll take a pic so I have something to look at to compare as it heals.
Replies (4)
January 16, 2014
Glad the revision went well for you! Can't wait to see your results!
January 16, 2014
So far so good. It's hard to see my breast look the way they do right now...I call them my "Frankin-boobies... but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I even pulled out a tape measure to measure the distance from my nipple to the top, bottom and sides of my breasts...they way they're sitting right now they don't look even, but the measurements are the same all the way around for both breasts. So I know it's just a matter of them settling and they'll look the same.
January 16, 2014
I'm surprised you would get frankenboobs second time around ...I just had a revision and mine never were high afterwords
January 16, 2014
The reason for mine is because my doc had to remove skin from my implant trying to extrude. So my breast looks dented right now due to the way the stitching was put in in order to fuse the skin together. I have surgical tape holding everything together as well which doesn't help that look. Because of the skin removal, I have incisions that go along the entire underside of my breasts.... about 6-8 inches long. It's not a typical revision. Implant extrusion happens in about 1% of people.
All my stitches are internal... nothing on the outside... so if I didn't have the surgical tape there, I wouldn't stay in one piece.
Replies (0)