Some of you may recall the pain and complications I had last year with my tissue expanders. I had a double mastectomy in February, 2007, and radiation in June and July. And I had surgery again---a capsulectomy and gel implants in late November, 2007. After that surgery, my breasts healed and were even and soft, natural feeling for weeks. Unfortunately, my radiated (left side) has become a problem. Very gradually it has contracted, hardened, and moved up over three inches on my chest---the pain has started to come back and I'm obviously lopsided.
I saw my plastic surgeon a couple weeks ago. He is recomending a capsulectomy again, having the implant removed, and having a latissmus muscle flap performed. I'm not comfortable going in that direction as I had 16 lymph nodes removed from my armpit, I have shoulder arthritis on that side, along with weakness and limited range on motion with my left arm; and I'm very careful to follow all the do's and don'ts to help prevent lymphedema. And I'm afraid of any potential problems from having a latissmus muscle relocated.
I also don't think I would feel comfortable being flat on the left side and keeping the implant on the right side. (The right implant has moved some---toward my armpit.) Right now I'm leaning toward getting both gel implants removed and just being flat. I really think the difference (from keeping one implant) would really bother me.
Although there isn't a doctor in Michigan that performs the DIEP surgery, that type of reconstruction was originally my first choice, but I settled for reconstruction and gel implants. I'm considering going that route. I just don't know if I should wait to have that done sometime in the future.
I am grateful that losing a breast/s is not like losing a limb, and that breasts are merely cosmetic now. After all I went through to have boobs again, I feel disappointed.
I'm just not sure what to do? I would love to hear your ideas and opinions.
Thanks,
Jo
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