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Problems after breast reconstruction leading to removal of implant

rosie2012
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Hi I am new to the forum and wanted to find out if anyone had had a  simiilar experience to me. I am a braca 2 carrier with all the other close female members of my family having had breast cancer. I had elective mastectomies with reconstructions using strattice in June. Since this time, I had recurring problems in one breast which led to the removal of the implant last week which was really devastating.I have been told there is a possibility  of  a further implant being put in in the future; the strattice remains in place. Has anyone else had an experience like this with a successful outome please. Thanks

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    Hello rosie2012,

    I just wanted to welcome you to Cancer Chat. I hope others with a similar experience will be along to share their breast implant problems with you. Some ladies discussed their experience of breast implants recently and issues such as breast implants collapsing as you can read on this thread. I noticed also that Jax is a BRCA2 carrier. Feel free to respond to their thread and share your story with them.

    I hope others who have had problems after breast reconstruction which led to the removal of the implant will see your post and respond here!

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Rosie,

    I'm Jax. Sorry to hear that your implant has been unsuccessful - I can imagine how devastating this must have been for you. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March whilst I was in the process of discussing risk reducing mastectomies with the surgeons, so I didn't get there in time. I had all of my lymph nodes removed too (cancer was in four of them). I had an implant with strattice and so far, so good.

    I just wanted to say well done for going ahead with your surgery - I know what a tough decision this is to make. I had problems convincing lots of people around me that I had to go ahead with surgery. The general opinion tends to be that its okay to be screened every year and 'just' catch the cancer early. This is not the answer - my tumour was picked up on an MRI scan last year and because an ultrasound and mammagram didn't pick it up, I had to wait another 6 months for another MRI. In the meantime my cancer grew and spread. Despite the problems you face now (and I can well imagine this is very traumatic), you still made the right decision. I am having the other mastectomy done once my chemotherapy and radiotherapy is finished and I know there will be a risk involved in the implant being rejected, but I know I've still got to do it. I'm also planning on having a hysterectomy at the same time.

    Are you now considering having reconstruction with natural tissue? I know it is something always available to you if the implant fails. It is probably the better option long term anyway although I know there is more scaring involved.

    Again, sorry to hear you've had complications. I hope you get something sorted soon.

    Take care.

    Jax x

  • Offline in reply to Jax

    Dear Jax

    Thank you so much for your reply. It was so good to receive such an affirming email for the decisions I have made, in particular as recent events have at times led me to doubt them. I am really sorry to hear of your experiences and hope your treatment goes well; I can't imagine how difficult the waiting time after your initial MRI scan must have been.

    You are right to say that the decision to have risk reducing surgery is something many others (friends and family) find difficult and I have had very strong views expressed to me both ways. I found the hospital very supportive in my decison making and as my mum and two sisters have had breast cancer and receommended the surgery, I think that made it easier for me. I had my ovaries removed last December which brought on some menopausal symptoms but was not as bad as I expected. It was recommended that I take HRT but I didn't and actually it has been fine.

    I received some better news yesterday, the surgeon informed me that my body had not in fact rejected the implant but that the scar under my nipple had never healed properly, I had had recurring problems with this and the implant had eventually forced it open and had become exposed leading to the problems. The scar has now healed perfectly without the implant and as a result, a new implant can be inserted in 8 weeks rather than the original 6 months quoted . I was keen to have body tissue rather than implants originally but was told I didn't have enough spare tissue to enable this to happen, I think I would dispute that but as the problem was not with the implant as such, I am feeling more confident to have another one put in. I am told the problem I experienced is rare and I am really pleased with the other reconstructed breast .

    Thanks again for your response and best wishes for the future

    Rosie xx

    I really hope your future treatment goes well and thanks again for your reply

    Take care

    Rosie x

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    I know it is ages since you posted this, but if you ever look at the forum now, I would be interested to talk to you about the recovery from an implant reconstruction with mesh. I have had one on my left breast 8 and a half weeks ago, at the same time as my mastectomy and although recovering well, still experience quite a bit of discomfort and stiffness. Wondered how long this goes on for? Haven't managed to find anyone else who has had this op! 

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