Another surgery for the permanent implants! Oh no, what now?

By sherreeb Tuesday, October 21, 2008

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Many women face coming back to the hospital to have their expanders removed and implants placed with fear and trepidation! Oh my gosh, not another surgery!!

It is important to remembe that the biggest hurdle you have already cleared! You have had the biggest surgery and faced the hardest recovery time! You are a survivor!!

This surgery is quite minimal compared to the first one!

1. It is outpatient so no overnight stay.

2. Less messing with the muscle and no removal of tissue so way less pain!

3. You see pleasant things when you wake up and not sad things! New, perky, wonderful boobs! Yeah!

You will still have the lifting restrictions so the new implants can settle into place correctly but not near the pain or muscle spasms as before and no more fills!! The implants will be a little more supple and look much more natural.

It is totally normal to dread returning to the hospital for yet another operation! But, rest assured it will be much, much easier!! You are almost to the finish line! Hang on to the baton!!

Keep up the fight! life is worth fighting for!

Sherree Bennett RN

An emotional rollercoaster!

Comments (11) | Add comment

steakprincess

10/22/08 10:42pm

Thanks for that post. That should help keep everyone who is having any difficulty with their expanders have some sort of hope in the future.

I myself am 6 weeks post op bilateral mastectomy with expanders and currently have one round of chemo under my belt. I have been working with the plastic surgeon around the chemo and the expansion is going well.

I am "happy" so far with the result but am very anxious for the end result which I will have to be patient for.

I am hopeful.

Thanks again for the great optimistic post. You are great

Danielle

sherreeb

10/30/08 12:07am

Congratulations Danielle on being a survivor! We have to learn patience and this is such a hard time to have to learn it! I am proud of you for making it!!

Keep up the good fight! Life is worth fighting for!

Sherree

nanette

10/29/08 9:07pm

hi. my name is nanette im a 45 yr old breast cancer survivor. i was diagnosed in june of 2007, on my birthday. i wanted a bi-lateral masectomy, due to a very Very strong family history. the dr said NO, only the affected breast. this was because i had no insurance. i was devestated. now the plastic surgeon wants to leave the expander in, and not even give me a real implant , i guess ill call it the 2nd step, implant. is this allowed? im so tired i feel like giving up. i wasnt given radiation or anything after surgery. only tamoxifen. i guess money matters, not my life. am i stupid to have allowed this? im going to tell the plastic surgeon i want a REAL implant. please help answer any of my questions if you can. thank-you very much. nanettehazelton@yahoo.com

steakprincess

10/30/08 12:19am

I am truly disturbed by your post and what the health care system is doing to you. You should find out if you can make an arrangement with the doctors to see if they can do it for you at a reduce rate or on a payment plan. Let's face it, if the doctors bill the insurance company say $5000.00, you know the insurance company only pays a small amount of that. The doctors may welcome your cash money because it may be more than the insurance company pays in the long run.

Also, I don't think, but I'm not sure, that they can leave that temp implant in there. if he abandons you, I would also think you have a law suit.

Again, I am just guessing as I don't know for sure. Don't give up. It's your life and body and you have rights.

Danielle

sherreeb

10/30/08 12:28am

Nanette,

I am so very sorry that this has happened to you. You and your life are so much more valuable and meaningful than any amount of money! Let me give you a little good information though. Statisitically, removing the unaffected breast does not increase the chances for survival. It is more often done for symmetry and for peace of mind. Also, it is very common to not have chemo or radiation after a mastectomy if the disease is not in the lymph nodes. I don't think your plastic surgeon can refuse to finish the surgery. I am not sure but....I am not at all a proponent of law suits but I think you may have a case to see an attorney. Most will do a consultation for free. Also, check with your local public health department and planned parenthood to see if there are funds to help you. We have a plan called the BCCCP in Texas that is a fast track to medicaid for women with breast cancer. See if there is such a thing for you in your area. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you at all

Keep up the good fight! Life is worth fighting for!

nanetteh

10/30/08 3:53pm

thanks so much for listening to me whine. sorry about that im just tired of it all. id like to correspond with you in the future, if you are ok with that. i have no-one with whom to talk to. thanks again nanettehazelton@yahoo.com i live in fl just thought id tell you.

Missy

1/20/09 3:56pm

I had a bilateral mastectomy on December 19, 2008. The implant exchange surgery will be coming up in a month or so, and I've been looking for "testimonials" of the procedure. I just wasn't sure what to expect, and your comments are perfect. Thanks for the reassurance and the vote of support and love.

sherreeb

1/21/09 10:13am

Hi Missy,

So glad it was helpful! Listen, you have already jumped so many huge hurdles! This is a little curb comparatively. You will be restricted from lifting, pushing and pulling again so that the pockets and incisions can heal well. That will be important. But, the soreness and pain are minimal. No overnight stay required in most cases. You will do great!! You are welcome to call me or email me at any time with questions, concerns or if you just need to chat!!

817-922-2223

sherreeb@baylorhealth.edu

Sherree Bennett, RN

Breast Health Nurse Navigator

Baylor All Saints Medical Center

Fort Worth, TX

Missy

1/21/09 2:29pm

I just returned from getting another saline injection in the tissue expanders. . .ouch! I feel that my skin is being pulled from every possible place--my back, my rib cage, my neck, etc. What a way to get a "body lift". I really can't complain, though. For the past 2 weeks I've been able to ride 10-15 miles a day on a stationary bike, go back to teaching at a local university, and continue my cake business. Nevertheless, I am extremely anxious to feel like my body is somewhat "normal" by getting this rock-hard expanders replaced with the softer silicone implants. The whole waiting game is not my style, but I'm grateful this process is nearing an end. Did you have the nipple reconstruction, as well? If so, what was the timetable for having that done in relation to having the implant exchange surgery?

sherreeb

1/21/09 6:21pm

Every plastic surgeon is different but usually within 6 weeks of the last surgery you are reaching the actual end of reconstruction and your life can begin NOT revolving around doctors appointments again! and yes, you will like the implants so much better than the expanders!! It sounds as if you are doing extremely well!!

Keep up the good fight!!

Sherree

Sarah

5/ 4/09 2:11pm

This is exactly the kind of information that women need, after they've had their tissue expanders removed.

I want to put you in touch with a young woman (diagnosed in March, underwent double mastectomy today) named Amy, since I am sure she and many others could use this kind of advice.

Thanks,

Sarah

Another surgery for the permanent implants! Oh no, what now?

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