Hi just want to know if this has happened to anybody else, my implant has become encapsulated ( not sure what that is) all I know is it’s very hard and painful, I’ve seen the breast team at Chichester hospital ( we’ve moved since it all started, from Medway) and they are suggesting, remove the implant, and replace it with tissue from my tummy, and he’s saying if it’s done it once, in his experience “ it will do it agin” he explained the operation, and I know it’s a long op,I just want other people’s experiences, please. I need to be up and about as quickly as possible, as my husband has COPD, and can not do very much to help, I know all the practical stuff, preparing meals etc,I just want a none medical point of view, on the experience. Thank you in advance.
I do hope everybody else is feeling as well and positive as possible.
I'm sorry you are having this experience. I would ring the breast care nurses on the breast cancer care website. breastcancercare.org.uk/
Encapsulation is what happens after an implant. The problem is if tbe tissues round it get too tight as has happened to you and cause pain.
There are questions I would want to ask the surgeon like how many of these operations has he done this year and in the past. They don't mind you asking honestly
You may want to ask for a second opinion to which you are entitled via GP( maybe ring your previous Consultants secretary). My geography is poor so don't know how far you've moved.
You could ask tbe breast care nurses on the link I've given you or talk to the breast care nurses where you had your original surgery for advice if you are wary of talking to nurses in your new centre.
I have no experience of implants or reconstruction just basic knowledge of how the system works as a previous health care professional a long time ago.
Sorry don't think what I've said is what you were looking for but so.eone may find it useful. Good luck
If you are talking about a DIEP operation my experience was that I was bed bound in severe pain for at least 4 weeks on hefty pain killers. I was up and about by week 8. I had complications with fat necrosis (hard lumps) in reconstructed breast for about a year. This was resolved with a minor surgical procedure which I could have had earlier. Two years on I am both pleased with the result and feeling Normal and healthy . Everyone’s experience is a bit different but don’t underestimate the initial recovery period , it’s a big op. However, you have already had the mastectomy so it may not be such a big op for you. The tummy part was initially debilitating, took 2-3 weeks before I could walk on my own. But with gentle exercise and a walking stick I felt I recovered my strength in abdomen quite quickly once I was able to walk. Hope this helps. I would recommend this op to anyone who can cope with the first week which is pretty awful. Again though you have had half the op already.
I've got the reconstruction you are talking about. You are going to need help!! I spent days hunched over and not lifting anything to protect the healing on the scar. The scar is literally hip bone to hip bone. Also, as it is a long op you need time to recover from the anaesthetic too. That said, I am very happy with the work done and getting a flatter tummy afterwards wasan added perk!!
I have not had the surgery you are going through, but do know that any surgery to the tummy is very painful. I had a radical Whipple, which goes from sternum to belly button and across to the hip. Also had a radical hysterectomy, which went across the tummy. Both were very painful and took it took time to be able get up and around with a cane. In both cases there were restrictions on the weight of what I could pick up. Living in the States I don't know how things work where you are, but would like to suggest looking into an aide for a few weeks since your husband is not able to care for himself and you will need help. If the cost is not covered by your medical policy, it might be worth having someone come in and prepare a bunch of meals and soups at one time and freeze them. Keep in mind that even cutting things like carrots and celery is going to be very difficult in the beginning. The usual housework can wait, but an aide can also do things that need to be taken care of sooner.
Love the idea of using your own tissue/fat for reconstruction! I agree with Bagrat about asking questions of the surgeon and looking into a second opinion.
Gosh what a bummer! Genuinely sorry to hear this. I opted for 2nd mx in order to avoid any more surgery and to move forward with my life more quickly.
However! I recently went along to an evening meeting at Southmeads Hospital in Bristol (which is nhs) where a presentation was given by Mr Wilson who is the most experienced recon surgeon in the area. I live in the BA postcode and my hospital is Bath RUH. I would need a bilateral reconstruction so my surgeon at ?Bath RUH has referred me to Mr Wilson. So when I found out about his presentation I went along to find out what I wld be letting myself in for.
Here are some things I learned.
The diep flap recon is currently the ‘gold standard’. I believe this means they offer this type of recon wherever possible becos it currently produces the best results. This uses tummy tissue.
On the website for Southmeads Hospital Breast reconstruction page is superb information about the exercises before and after the surgery. This gave me a good idea of timescale of recovery. These notes are down to the support staff and I thanked them for it at the meeting. Have read of it yourself cos there’s lots of good info on there alongside the exercises.
The operation is now 5-6 hours down from 12-13. Mr Wilson says this is down to excellent team work. His success rate is 98.5%. I think the national average is 93 or 95%? He now has 2 other surgeons working with him doing the straight forward recons so he does the more complex surgery incl bilateral (or both sides), and fixing reconstructions that have aged poorly is the best phrase I can think of, like yourself.
There is no risk to the lymphatics if you’ve lost your axillary lymph nodes previously.
At this meeting we had a show and tell! 2 young ladies privately showed their diep flap reconstruction and they looked amazing.it really cheered me up. The scars were small and practically invisible. I also have a friend of a friend who had this procedure. She had had a skin sparing mx and had been left looking and feeling awful (apparently). But is now finally over the moon with the the and result, so happy. Which, I have been warned, doesn’t guarantee the same result for me.
I hope this helps. I recommend a read of the Southmeads Hospital, Bristol’s website. And wish you good luck and best wishes for your surgery and recovery.
I don't know anything about the implant problems but I have had the diep reconstruction. I am very pleased with it but it is a big operation and don't underestimate the amount of time needed to recover. I was told by the hospital 8-12 weeks and I did need nearer the 12 weeks. You can't lift anything heavy for a while and the tummy op means it is hard to walk even. Also I was in hospital for a week. If your husband can't do much then you will need help. Talk to the Breast care nurses at your hospital. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I would also say that the hospital I had mine at - Broomfield- had evenings where you could go along and talk to ladies who had had the diet reconstruction. If you could go along to something like this and actually talk to other women it might help you make up your mind. I found it very helpful.
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