Breast implant seems hard

[Tarn2103]

Hi,

I had a skin sparing mastectomy 13 wks ago ( nipple taken) had an immediate reconstruction, implant with a stratis framework which has continued to feel hard throughout. At first I was told it was due to the swelling but it has not softened up. I now fear I have a capsular contraction and may need another op. I'm 2 cycles in to 6 cycles of FEC-T chemo and have experienced a lot of inflammation on the skin of this breast.

Have been given several lots of antibiotics and nothing changes re the firmness of the implant.

Anyone else experience this ?

Thanks

[Dmhaynes]

Hi sorry to hear this. I had a temporary implant pit in at the same time as my mastectomy and also had bad cellulitis during chemotherapy and was lucky not to lose the implant

My advice would be to see your surgeon again. Give their secretary a call and get an appointment. Although it seems a pain the thought of more surgery it's better out than in if that is what is needed.

Good luck I hope all goes well xx

[Tarn2103 in reply to Dmhaynes]

Thanks for reply, thankfully it has softened now, think it was cellulitis too, think I've had it three times now ! Settled again for now

Hopefully I'll keep hold of implant too x

[blue_sky1]

Just go back to the surgeons. They often have to carry out revisions and will deal with it. Best of luck. x

[Tarn2103 in reply to blue_sky1]

Thanks blue sky, cellulitis and now softened up after A/b

[Nixh]

Hi, poor you, chemo's hard enough without worrying about your implant too!

I also have a temp expander implant, not permanent.. so can't really compare but..

My implant was very sore and swollen during chemo, my scar ached under my arm the most... I had my implant replaced in Feb as it ruptured, and find it's very hard now compared to my right one (had a preventative RH mastectomy in Nov with skin sparing temp expander also).

I massage it when in the shower and also when putting my cream on (I religiously do it daily) and it has softened a bit, I gently stroke downwards so the implant sits lower.

I also had cellulitis after the replacement, so loads of antibiotics (2 courses of clyndamicine.. yuk!) I also had a build up of seroma a couple of months ago after a larger than normal inflation and it ended up opening my scar up a tiny bit from the pressure and leaked everywhere, was a very surreal experience!

Yours could be a build up of fluid? I thought it was supposed to go quite quickly but it doesn't. Check with your consultant, they can do an ultrasound and see if it's fluid, if not then hopefully not cc

It's not a straightforward process is it!

Good luck, hope you get sorted..

Nix x

[Tarn2103]

Thanks for advice Nix, anti biopics seems to have done the trick - cellulitis it seems.. I've been massaging daily now too, thanks for tip.. hope all ok for you xx