Breast reconstruction before & after photos

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“Implants After Mastectomy... Memory Gel - Tampa, FL”

cocomartinez 2 posts

Comments (12)
Updated 11 Jun 2009
Posted 22 Feb 2009

Worth It

Spent: $3,000 in Tampa, FL

I had a hysterectomy and double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction with implants. My first surgery went much better than I thought. I did however have to get a revision surgery for the implants, which I was told about upfront by my plastic surgeon. He told me to expect several.

Next surgery was great. I have had nothing but positive experiences. I am, however, going in for what is hopefully my last revision to get fuller/bigger implants to fill out some of the hollow left in my chest after the mastectomy.

I'm a bigger woman at 197 pounds. I have 600 cc implants now which look wonderful and real but small on my wide frame. I'm going in three weeks to get 800 cc implants.

Have faith and do your research. This was so worth it for me.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Paul Albear, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

My rating:

My oncolgist is Rand Altemose.. Love him.. treated the rest of my family. Breast Surgeon John Cox, Tampa, Florida Finally plastic surgeon, Dr. A. He is caring, realistic, up front, and honest . He will get the job done for you. And be honest with you. Plus his staff is fast, courtesy and I have come to love all of them!

A few days after the second revision.

Vote: 5 members found this review helpful

Comments (12)

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Marilyn McGrath (1 post) 10 Jun 2009

God bless! A hysterectomy AND mastectomy and reconstruction?! That is alot to have done at one time. Your results look lovely. I recently had a mastectomy on right breast and am reading others' comments about what they are going through. I am considering reconstruction, but on the fence as to what type. Best of luck with your new twins.

FoobiesRUs (3 posts) 15 Jul 2009

I'm glad you shared your photo as I had my tissue expanders replaced in Mar'09 with 685cc silicone gel implants. I am 5'4", weigh approx. 145 lbs, medium frame. Your new 'breasts' look larger than mine. I wonder why. Must remember to ask my plastic surgeon next time I see him. Again thanks for sharing.

FoobiesRUs (3 posts) 15 Jul 2009

Sorry forgot to mention that I too had bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using tissue expanders in April '08. Cancer in left breast. Chemo June to Oct '08, oopherectomy with hysterectomy Nov '08. Letrozole Jan '09 Tissue expanders replaced Mar 26, 2009.

anon2184 (1 post) 24 Nov 2010

If unhappy with emplants they look flat and have no shape Very unhappy with results, how to make the Dr understand I wanted round perky breast after removal of both can the Dr be liaable to replace as my i don't think my insurance will pay again. It was cancer related and I feel he did a poor job in slecting the implants I feel awful about how they look.'Thanks

Wesley Chapel (6 posts) 29 Nov 2010

I am going through the same thing; I am unhappy with the flattened look of my implants. Insurance will pay for a re-do and I am opting for the High Profile Smooth round Mentor implants. They have more projection, but if you want a "natural" looking breast, you may have to opt for the diep or flap procedures. You may want to get a 2nd opinion before proceding and make sure your Dr. in "in-network." Good luck.

Cyrensong (6 posts) 9 Jan 2012

I am also hoping to get the medium projection formed mentor cohesive implants, please let me know how they turn out and if they look and feel real...I am hoping to get a graft for oreolas and nipples too once i am done healing, elsewhere on the forum I asked about nipple reconstruction, i am guessing catilage grafting and aloplast will be the way of making nipples that arent flat. Best wishes to you*

Wesley Chapel (6 posts) 10 Jan 2012

Hi - you have made a good choice - the high profile round implants give the most projection you can get with just an implant. I don't really like the flap procedures that I have seen from pics on the web because of the extensive scarring. Make sure to follow throu with nipple/areolar recon - made a huge difference in the natural look of the breasts. Good luck.

cocomartinez (2 posts) 29 Nov 2010

I know that there are some portions that are flat on my chest. and they are not nearly as perky as I had hoped.. matter of fact they look like my old breasts.. slightly sagging but it's because I had a skin sparing. They removed alot of tissue from my chest walls and my doctor has explained to me in depth that no matter what I do.. I will never have pam anderson or perky breasts. he explained it like.. laying an implant on a mattress... it has something to support it and give it a level floor, but when you place an implant where all the tissue has been removed it has to serve as the mattress and the implant.. I have the largest silicone mentor that they make and it can't go up any higher in the pocket because of it's size.. so I hate the indentations that are concave at my collar bones but all in all i'm lucky to have what i have.. However, I have to admit I love them best right after surgery.. they have the fuller firmer appearance then.

I would talk to your doctor again, tell him what makes you unhappy and ask for options. At some point and time you will probably need to have your implants replaced and you could switch them out then..

Best of luck ladies.. I wish you all the best.. I wish it for all of us!

Cyrensong (6 posts) 9 Jan 2012

is there no way for a tissue or fat graft from your own body to fill the areas that you are unhappy with...I really believe that if they can suck fat out of us they can certainly put it back into us! I hope you find a doctor that can make you feel like yourself again

Wesley Chapel (6 posts) 10 Jan 2012

Don't know what happened to my reply - fat grafts work great for filling in indented areas that can occur, especially in the upper chest with the round implants. It works great - also used for lumpectomies! Works great - ask your PS!

Wesley Chapel (6 posts) 15 Jan 2012

Coco, ask your PS about fat grafting in those areas above the implants that are concave. i waskinda upset about those areas too. my PS lipo'd fat from my hip and filled them in! Now i can wear low cut tops,swim suits, etc.

Wesley Chapel (6 posts) 10 Jan 2012

Absolutely - fat grafts are very commonly used methods for filling in lumpectomy sites or just low areas that sometimes occur after reconstruction. My PS recommended using fat from the hip/upper thigh area as it doesn't disappear quickly when a person loses weight. In other words it has "staying power." My fat grafts have worked out just fine x 1 year.