I had right mastectomy last December - no chemo or radiation. After 6 months started reconstruction with expander, and had implant placed 2 weeks ago.

Does anyone else have a sensation of pressure that radiates to your back, between the shoulder blades? Is this the implant, and does it subside with time?

Were any of you a little disappointed at the assymetry of breasts when just one had to be reconstructed? I don't see a lot info on unilateral reconstruction. I did have a small saline implant placed in the left side, but since it did not have to start from "scratch" it looks very nice and shapely. The right side, that had to be stretched and reformed from chest wall, just doesn't have a "breast" shape yet. The doctor says it will "settle" and shape up some, but even he doesn't think it will fill out like the other one. He said he would probably have to "tweak" my right breast a bit, might even put a bigger implant in. But he wants to give me a few months of recovery before we start anything else.

I haven't even discussed nipple replacement yet. I am far from finished. Just wanted to hear from others who have had similar experience.

Thanks ahead of time for any input.

Hi Renee,

My situation is very similar to yours, unilateral mastectomy, right breast, no chemo or radiation. My mastectomy was last June with latisimus dorsi flap reconstruction; I had the replacement/exchange surgery on September 26th. All of that pressure is normal; I still have discomfort but it does get better. Exercise and physical therapy have been key to my recovery and progress. I chose not to have an implant on the left side, so I knew I'd be asymmetrical but it does take some getting used to. I had the smallest implant inserted on the right side because I am very small breasted and did not want any augmentation, but the right breast is still much fuller than the left side. (The implant manufacturers really need to do a better job at research and development. Thousands of women are as small or smaller breasted than I am and many of us want no augmentation; the companies that make the implants don't seem to get that.) My plastic surgeon said by Janurary everything should be as "settled" as it's going to be, so that's four months. I don't anticipate much of a change at this point and it does feel like I have a small pillow underneath my arm. I will have to see if anything can be done about that if there is no change by January, again, I doubt there will be at this point. If I choose to do the nipple and areola that could happen in January, or any time after since it's elective surgery. Every woman is different, but you should start to feel better soon, especially if you do the exercises (when your doctor tells you it's okay to start) and you don't try to stuff yourself into uncomfortable bras. Good luck with everything.

Doreen

Thanks for the response, Doreen. I saw my doctor again today and he reassured me about the pressure and discomfort. He said it was perfectly normal and would get better with time. Actually, it is already better. I only have occasional episodes of the discomfort.

Now, finding a bra for my mismatched pair is another matter altogether! But I'm making progress there, too. It just takes more effort than before.

Thanks again for the response!