What to do if You are Unhappy with Your Breast Reconstruction
What should a patient do if they are unhappy with breast reconstruction results?
Breast Reconstruction helps many women feel whole again after breast cancer. How you feel about the “new you” is an important part of your healing journey. But what should you do if you are unhappy with your results?
Be honest with your surgeon.
It may feel like an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it’s an important one. Having an honest and respectful conversation with your surgeon is a healthy first step in addressing your concerns. Be sure and discuss your expectations and what can be done to achieve your desired results.
Get a second opinion from a specialist.
Seeking a second opinion is never a bad thing! Having another experienced surgeon who specializes in all types of reconstruction procedures review your needs is a good way to ensure you are given all your options to consider. Unfortunately, not all plastic surgeons offer today’s most advanced breast reconstruction procedures and travel may be necessary but worth it. At PRMA, we frequently perform corrective surgery on patients who are unhappy with their results from surgery performed at other institutions. If you are interested in a second opinion from PRMA, please fill out our FREE Virtual Consultation form HERE. Once received one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will review your needs and provide you with their surgical recommendations all at no cost to you.
Decide what’s best for you.
After hearing all your options, the pros and cons of each, and discussing realistic expectations with an experienced surgeon you will be equipped with the tools you need to make the best decision for you moving forward.
Learn more about your corrective breast reconstruction options here.
Author: Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo and Courtney Floyd
Seeking a second opinion is never a bad thing! Having another experienced surgeon who specializes in all types of reconstruction procedures review your needs is a good way to ensure you are given all your options to consider.
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Hi , I just had a double mastectomy 3 weeks ago , I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2020 on my right breast . Before my mastectomy I had saline breast implants I was a size 34D. I am 5’7 and weigh 115 pds after chemotherapy , my normal weight is 128 pds . I asked my plastic surgeon about tissue expanders to achieve the size I was , he told me I did not need them because my tissue was already stretched from my implants . So he did immediate reconstruction during the mastectomy. He said I had to be smaller than I was . I am very depressed and disappointed with my reconstruction, my implants are very flat . I understand it’s not the same as an augmentation, but I feel like I wasn’t given options , i seen a lot of reconstruction stories from other women and how satisfied with size they are and I wonder why I had to be stuck with such small implants . It seems really unfair to me . I also had a nipple sparing mastectomy. Can you please help me on options I may have , the stress of the cancer was so much and I just want to feel good about myself after all this nightmare
December 6,2020
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We are so sorry to hear you are going through so much. Please know that it can sometimes take more than one procedure to achieve your desired results. We recommend following up with your surgeon to discuss your outcome goals. Of course, following your revision surgery, if you are still unhappy with your results we would be happy to provide you a second opinion.
December 7,2020
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What NOT to Say to Someone Having Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Types of Tissue Expander and Implants Used in Breast Reconstruction
Gloria
Hi , I just had a double mastectomy 3 weeks ago , I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2020 on my right breast . Before my mastectomy I had saline breast implants I was a size 34D. I am 5’7 and weigh 115 pds after chemotherapy , my normal weight is 128 pds . I asked my plastic surgeon about tissue expanders to achieve the size I was , he told me I did not need them because my tissue was already stretched from my implants . So he did immediate reconstruction during the mastectomy. He said I had to be smaller than I was . I am very depressed and disappointed with my reconstruction, my implants are very flat . I understand it’s not the same as an augmentation, but I feel like I wasn’t given options , i seen a lot of reconstruction stories from other women and how satisfied with size they are and I wonder why I had to be stuck with such small implants . It seems really unfair to me . I also had a nipple sparing mastectomy. Can you please help me on options I may have , the stress of the cancer was so much and I just want to feel good about myself after all this nightmare
PRMA Plastic Surgery
We are so sorry to hear you are going through so much. Please know that it can sometimes take more than one procedure to achieve your desired results. We recommend following up with your surgeon to discuss your outcome goals. Of course, following your revision surgery, if you are still unhappy with your results we would be happy to provide you a second opinion.
Jen
I will say that my surgeons were wonderful, but I didn’t expect to be so much smaller than I was before my DIEP flap reconstruction. I went from DDD to what looks like to me now B or C cup. I knew I would be smaller because I didn’t have enough belly fat to be the size I was, but I see so much smaller than I thought. I’m still healing, and happy with the reconstruction, just not the size.
PRMA Plastic Surgery
There are options like fat grafting that can help increase breast size for patients after DIEP flap. We recommend discussing your concerns with your surgeon to see what your options are.
Michelle Ferullo
I had bilateral mastectomy followed by implant reconstructive procedure 10 weeks ago. Like others mine are smaller than expected but that’s not what is upsetting. I feel like the implants are under my arms and not where the should be. One side has a visible indentation towards the top while the other is full at the top. I’m not happy at all. If I complain it’s as if I’m questioning the plastic surgeons work. Is there anything that can push implants into place? When I lie down the go further under arms. I thought implants stayed in place. What can I do?
Lana Cobb
Thanks so much for sharing with us Michelle, we are so sorry you are going through this. Our best advice is for you to be open and honest with your surgeon about your concerns. Should you still feel uncomfortable, we would recommend seeking a second opinion from a board certified plastic surgeon.
Violet
I was diagnosed with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer July 2020 had neoadjuvant Chemo, left radical mastectomy in Jan 2021 and followed by radiation and completed in April last year. I am contemplating for a Unilateral diep reconstruction. I weighed 50 kilos 155cm in height, age 66 non smokers nor alcohol. Have platelets dysfunction and no other medical history. Do you think I am a candidate for diep not tram as I do not want my belly muscle used in reconstruction. Thank you.
PRMA Plastic Surgery
Hello! Most likely you are a candidate for DIEP flap. The DIEP uses the patient’s own abdominal skin and fat. The tissue is used to restore a natural, warm, soft breast after mastectomy. Unlike the TRAM flap, the DIEP preserves all the abdominal muscles. Only skin and fat are removed.
If you’d like to know for sure whether you’re a candidate for the DIEP flap or any other type of perforator flap breast reconstruction, you are welcome to fill out our free virtual consultation form here.