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POSTED UNDER Capsular Contracture Treatment Reviews

Strattice for Recurring Cc, Switched from over to Under Muscle, Capsulectomy, 371cc Style 15 - Houston, TX

UPDATED FROM tam53
5 months post

I think it's finally over. 5 months after 3rd surgery using strattice, and no sign of capsular contracture.

I've gone through developing CC 3 times now. 7 weeks PO in right breast after surgery #1, 3 months PO in left breast, about 7 weeks after emergency surgery #2 in right again. First 2 surgeries were with a different doctor within 2 months.
7 months later my new surgeon, Dr. Vitenas, switched from over to under muscle, went from 325HP to 371 moderate, and used strattice to prevent recurring cc. I think he covered the entire implant with it, attaching it under my muscle.
I finally look and feel normal! I had my first BA 1 year ago and I lived with CC a short time compared to a lot of people. But I lived with it long enough to truly appreciate being able to sleep on my stomach when I want, and not be afraid to hug someone because of the hardness. They are soft and I can fill out a bra! I have an appointment for a massage this weekend. I tried once when I had CC and it was very painful to lay on them for an hour. It's the little things, ya know?
The scar is longer than my original. But my doctor fully explained what to expect prior, and that makes it so much easier to accept. He needed room to work. I was pleasantly surprised that he also fixed a nipple that was sort of pointing off to the side/up. Nipples are even now. I would rather have the scar than CC, or explant with a 2nd capsulectomy and chance being smaller than I was and saggy.
Very happy today!

tam53's provider

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 199 Reviews
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Replies (14)

Congratulation Tam53. It looks very nice and very natural!! I read your story on your other post and felt your pain. I am happy that you are now satisfied with your result and healthy. Thank you for posting your story. As I never heard of CC before I feel I learned some possible outcome through your story. Enjoy them now. ;)
Hello I'm going through exactly what you did right now I've had 3 surgeries in 6 months the second one was emergency from a blood vessel rupture then at 6 months a revision for severe capsular contracture. I'm 14 weeks post op and have it again in the same side I'm going with a new surgeon haven't scheduled my revision again yet though I'm trying to wait as long as possible to heal up some. I'm glad you've had good results with your last surgery that gives me hope I really don't want to ex plant. I have a consult in March to see what the surgeon thinks and hope he can fix me for good!!
I went to 2 different doctors that will only do a revision after cc using strattice. I highly recommend you seek someone out that has experience in doing so. Both doctors told me they have had no recurrences after strattice. It's a nightmare indeed. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I'm also going to 2 different doctors one I have to travel for but I don't mind because he does a lot of revisions for cc the other one is local he performs a lot of surgeries I know lots of women that went to him that love his work he does do revisions I just need to look into how knowledgeable he is with cc. My original surgeon had to do research I should have just said no I will find someone else but I didn't know much about it myself. I know strattice is more expensive but I'm willing to pay it I just want to have the results I was hoping for and to be rid of cc for good! Did your surgeon use drains? If so did they hurt?
Yes, my 2nd surgeon did use drains. Not my first one though, not even after emergency surgery for hematoma/seroma. I had them in for a while and they mainly just itched, not really hurt. That area was a bit numb. I was amazed at the amount of fluid that drained.
Thank you my original surgeon didn't use drains for me when I had my hematoma either I'm not sure why I feel like this would have all been avoided if he did since he said most likely my cc was caused from the blood left over from the hematoma. Then my revision for cc he didn't use drains either he wasn't very knowledgeable at all in that area he had to do research I should have ran at that point but I didn't. I'm glad you've had a successful revision I'm looking forward to talking with a new surgeon in March. Thanks for getting back to me!
Hi Tam! I was so exited to see your reply yesterday ! No I didn't realize that your last comment was 6 months ago ! I found you on the revision side , very happy for you that your nightmare is over! I have my per-opp appointment today for revision with strattice . Previously my doc gave me all the info to read and DVD to watch 2 actual surgeries with strattice , scary what they do while you out! . It was very educational but now I am afraid and the same time cant wait to get reed off CC ! So today will talk about all that I've learned and the date of the surgery. How long was your recovery ? Was it more painful that you previous surgeries ? Thanks again for all you comments !
Maybe a little more painful but I was expecting it to be a lot more going under muscle, so pleasantly surprised. I had the drains in for almost 2 weeks but was up and moving around just fine after a few days. The painful part was week 2 when the doctor moved my implants around/up. I actually screamed! Then he showed my husband how to squeeze and push them up at home. Not really massage. Just squeeze bottom so it expands an inch or two below collar bone. It wasn't possible for me to move them as far as they needed to by myself. It got easier after a few days, but I hit my husband a couple of times! Doctor instructed me to take Valium before to loosen my muscle.
Hi Tam! Thanks for answering my questions! My surgery is on 2/24 , cant wait to get over with it! scared because going under the muscle I would have to have lift as well . Your boobs look just perfect like if you were born with them like this. Looked at different reviews and pictures of BA under muscle , all of them look kind of square and very high in the beginning. Did you have your implants high too and if you did how long it took for them to drop in the pocket ?
I was expecting that square top too but it was just a little high. One had a really weird shape that freaked me out but it just took a few weeks to look normal. The overall look is sooooo much more natural than the overs were. From the very beginning I knew the overs were never going to be the look I wanted. I do have that muscle flex thing though. I don't work out chest at all at the gym. I'm still trying to get used to it. Feels really weird when I pull a heavy door or something. It's a small price for the natural look and no cc though.
Thanks for answering again and sorry for torturing you with all my questions! My doctor answering my questions but for some reason I still don't really know what to expect. Two of my friends had BA about 6 years ago and both have flex , they say its not as much now as in the beginning , it's probably normal and will get better with time. Did you take any medication before surgery and after? I am going to have my pre-opp next week and want to ask doctor. Previous surgeries I had only 3 pills ,1- day before surgery and 2-after. I read a lot of reviews and almost everyone with complications like mine and yours had to take meds for at least 4 weeks.
I took antibiotics and some pain meds & Valium as needed.
You look great! Happy for you!
Very happy to see this !!! I'm going in for my 3rd on the 29th. Also wrapping the entire implant.
ORIGINAL POST

Went from never having surgery to 3 within 7...

Went from never having surgery to 3 within 7 months! My first journey is in the Breast Aug category so I'm not going to repeat any of that here. On to the next stage, and hopefully final!

I was laughing at myself this morning as I took a shower, and thought I'd start this review off sharing that tidbit. For those of us that have to wear drains for an extended period of time, I'm sure some of you have figured out a few things that I'm just now learning but I thought this was funny. I don't know if every doctor allows you to take a quick shower but mine does. And to have the drains just hanging hurts after awhile. They sort of swing around, you know what I mean? So it occurred to me this morning to wrap it around my boob and over my shoulder. No pulling or swinging as I showered! Wish I had done it sooner :)

Replies (15)

Thank you for the tip Tam. :)
Are you willing to share who did your revisionary surgery in Houston? Also, how many surgeries did you have until they decided to put them under the muscle and use strattice. Thank you.
Dr. Vitenas did my revision. I've been meaning to add some more info to this review. Will try to do that tonight! First doctor wasn't experienced in using strattice for cc. 2nd surgery was emergency after my first ps did a closed capsulectomy that resulted in hematoma/seroma (see photo in my emergency Q&A to doctors). It was frightening! Got cc again in that one then finally in the left as well. New PS did my 3rd surgery.
I want to add, that Dr. Vitenas told me to expect firmness for at least 3 months. I think more from the strattice, but he may have meant from going under muscle... but let me tell you girl, if this is his idea of firm, I cannot wait to see how they feel in 3 months! They are so soft and squishy. They NEVER felt like this with the high profile implant over the muscle I had the first time. Tremendous difference. VERY please with how they look just 2 weeks post.
I'm so happy to hear your story because my story is similar to your. I have contracted cc again in the left breast. going in to get it fixed next month, Just the left breast though.
Are you using Strattice? If so both doctors I met with experience and success in using Strattice for cc, recommending doing both. If you got it in one, the other could develop it as well then you have to deal with another surgery.
Thank you for the information. You have been through a lot!! Glad you are happy with your results. Thanks for posting!!!
Hi again! Just had to comment, YOU LOOK AWESOME! GREAT SHAPE TO YOUR BREAST$! Much better! Hapoy healing! Great arms too btw!
So much difference indeed! Totally missing working out, this entire year has been just one long recovery.
You will be back in no time and soon this wiil be distant memory. Keep us updated and post more pics! Blessings!
Hey girl! I totally know where you are coming from! I rigged a belt ( elastic)around my waste to attach it to , and even went as far as making a pouch to put over it when not in the shower. Since the bulb is made of rubber type material , it would "drag" against my tops. So I took one of my grandsons socks (no show sport sock) cut the toe out and hand stitched it to just the right size for my bulb ! ( he is 3) is was great. Clothes didn't catch on it any more. A friend of mine who is a nurse said I should do a whole line - that this could be a hit!! She was joking but serious due to the fact that some have to were them longer than others. It also keeps you from seeing the liquid in it as well. So yeah - totally been there! Hope you continue to do great! Look forward to updates . I have also had 3 surgeries - so understand that as well. :)
Lol.. very creative! so glad they are out now, free at last!
Your pic looks great! How has your experience been with strattice? I'm almost 6 weeks out from a revision to fix a capsular contracture on my left side. My ps switched my implants and added strattice. Things started to look odd for me at my 2 1/2 week mark. I believe I'm developing a CC again. The bottom of my left breast is flat and the side looks flat too. I'm also experiencing lots of pain. Please update us on your experience. Thank you!
Wow, so sorry. I think I'm too early into it to give any solid feedback. Everything seems pretty normal so far though. No pain like I was having before from the cc. My PS did tell me it takes about 3 months for the Strattice to... what's the term, incorporate with the tissue? I hope everything is ok for you. I'll keep you updated and you do the same please?
I will keep you updated. Thank you for your quick response.
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