Nervous about challenging my PS for a re-op

I had my 3mths post op check in December and aired my concerns about my boobs and thighs (lipo) explained why I wasn't happy etc, he said we'll need to let them settle for a year but will review it at 6mths, he suggested what could be done to improve things but that we would have to wait as 3mths post op is too early (understandably) What I forgot to ask at that appointment was whether that re-op would be free? I certainly can't afford a re-op whatsover.

Anyway it's now almost time for my 6mth review appointment and I'm really nervous about what's going to happen. I'm not a confrontational person, but I'm really unhappy with my outcome. I don't even know if they can be improved, but I'm scared getting a re-op won't be that easy.

My issues are that I have tuberous breasts and still do, right much worse than my left, it's very depressing for me to look at my breasts and still see the same saggy tubular shape that was there before only bigger,my natural breast tissue just droops over the implant, when I had my consult with my PS I specifically questioned what was needed for tuberous breasts, he offered me round with a nipple lift or anatomicals with no lift, I choose the anatomicals. The right breast is still flat with no upper or lower pole fullness they just kind of fold in half it's just gross. Because of the lack of fullness I still have the same problem post-op as pre-op of my bras fitting, if it fits my left breast there's a gap on my right and if it fits my right I'm spilling out of my left.

Also I am concerned about CC in my left breast, it has always felt "obviously there" like I can't forget I have an implant, unlike my right which whilst looks disgusting to me, feels natural. I can't have anyone hug me over my left breast as it hurts, I absolutely cannot lie on my front whatsover, pain really bad pain, once I was led on the floor (on my back) and my daughter led on top of me I had to get her off immediately I could not tolerate one second of that. I don't let my husband touch my boobs as they are uncomfortable. When I lean over to pick something off the floor I feel pulling or movement of the implant in my breast, it's almost like I can feel the implant being restricted or fighting against some invisible force (i.e scar capsule) Lying down on my right side I feel the same pulling/resistance from my left breast. I didn't mention the discomfort in my left breast to my PS at my 3mth check as I thought it was just normal healing pains and it was early days, now after reading more I am worried it is CC.

At my 3mth check my PS suggested a bigger implant in my right breast to improve the fullness, but he explained a bigger implant would mean a wider implant so there maybe a more obvious difference between the breasts, BUT I'm already questioning what size was put where, I have 2 different documents one stating L335 R375 the other saying L375 R335 ???? (I found this out after my 3mth check) I did question my PS about why he put the smaller implant in the most empty right breast (as that's what I had believed until I was looking through my paperwork afterward) as I thought that breast needed the larger implant, he said he'd check the paperwork but then we carried on with the discussion and both forgot to bring it up again. I will remember to question that again at this appointment. I'm not entirely sure putting a bigger implant in the right breast will improve things, is it really going to alter the shape? as that's what I'm unhappy with, the shape. Obviously if it turns out I do have CC in my left breast then that side will need re-oping and I could change the size on that size aswell to try and rebalance them out, but I know only certain grades of CC get re-ops and that worries me. I'm not a PS so I don't know what's achievable and what's an unrealistic expectation, I don't know what is necessary to improve my shape, when I look up tuberous breast surgery, I hear about bands of tissue being cut and creases lowered etc and when I asked if additional work was necessary my PS said anatomicals alone would be fine, no other work necessary. Arrrgg can anyone reassure me? I don't even look at my pics now because I just want to cry, they make me feel sick. I've paid out all this money for a minimal improvement and I still feel bad about the way I look. I won't even go into the lipo.

What are THG like for free re-ops?

Nice to see you back on here Sugarplum,but so sorry your having a lot of trouble with your boobies!,i do hope you get it all sorted out ! xxx

Thanks hun, I've been lurking, really need to update my diary but I've just been feeling too down about them, they look nothing like my avi now.

Aww try not to get too down!!,were all here if you want to have good moan! XXX

I'd get a 2nd opinion from a surgeon who specialises in breast reconstruction.

Hi,

don't be frightened about asking for revision surgery if your not happy hun. I wasn't entirely happy with my result and after nearly a year of letting them settle I finally said to my ps I wanted to be put forward for revsion surgery and I have just been approved for it.

I had a lift with implants due to empty, long flat breasts that folded in half in my bra due to extreme weightloss but my nipples have ended up to high due to the implant bottoming out and still having excess skin there so it is finally being corrected in August. My point is hun you paid alot of money for your surgery and if your not happy with the outcome then it's worth fighting to get them put right!

I hope it all goes well for you xxx

Sorry to hear your going this, I hope you get the outcome you want xx

Sorry to hear about your problems hun xx As Misf says, might be an idea to get an independent opinion from a reconstruction PS xx

Stick to your guns and request the reop you discussed with him free of charge xx

Good Luck and keep us posted xx

Hi, I havent chatted with you before. Sorry the first time is when you are sad - but thats what we are here for arnt we - to help each other out - dont know what Id have done without the ladies on here.

I agree with all of what the others have said so far - particularly butterfly7713. Hope you get it sorted.

Kat xx

p.s. You might find that updating your diary is helpful to you - sort of getting some of how you feel out of your head? Just a thought. x

Thanks everyone. I had a call to say my PS has cancelled that clinic and had to make another appointment thankfully I only have to wait another week past my previous appointment but none the less it's another week of worry. I'm getting really peed off with how my boobs are feeling now, especially at nighttime, it's just so uncomfortable, like I said sort of like I can feel restriction/resistance, can't lie on my side etc. Seems like I'm going to have to start wearing a bra all the time now as I don't like the feeling I get when I don't wear a bra.

I can't afford to pay for a consult with a reconstructive surgeon at the moment, so will just have to hope I don't need to.

Butterfly: I'd seen you're posts and hope I am as lucky, but going in front of a panel would really scare me, so pleased you got your re-op though.

Thanks Kat, I've been following your posts, hope you're healing well from your re-op and TT, I do admire your avi, you look fantastic.

I know I really should update my diary, it probably would help to get it out, sometimes life just overwhelms me and I don't even know where to begin, I have a complicated life and so much is going on right now, I just cant cope with it all, ok rant over.

Hey Sugarplum, you don't see the panel it's only your case notes etc that is put forward to them and then a decision is made so no need to worry about that hun xx

I would ask them to pay for the 2nd opinion xx

I would defiantly get a second opinion..with another surgeon/company! I have very minor tubular breasts i do not have all the appearances of the tubular breast but i was told i could have just a round implant altho some surgeons were willing to do a slight nipple alteration to get rid of a nipple herniation but i could get away with just an implant. Ive resarched it quite a bit it it really depends on how bad your tubular breasts are..HOw tubular are your breasts? If you do have quite tubular breasts as far as im aware unfortunetly a implant wouldnt correct and as you said your own shape breasts would just sit ontop on the implant the surgeon has to do alot more like you said some times lowering the crease, mastopexy and even having to release the tissue in side the breast again tho it all really depends on how severe it is. If your tubular shape it still sitting on top and he told you this would fix your tubular breasts and its not you should not have to pay for the re-op... hope you get it sorted! xx

Butterfly- that's a huge relief

This is stressing me out so much I dreamt about it last night, it was so real, at first he denied me the re-op, then I broke down and he agreed to do it, I was so happy knowing they would be fixed, and went back to Dolan Park to have the op, then I woke up back to reality! I don't know if I'd actually cry, hyperventilate would be more like it, usually in cases like this everyone says it's never as bad as your imagining and I'm really hoping that's true and I'll come back here after my appointment and you tell I was worrying over nothing, but until then- stress city. Part of me wishes the appointment was tomorrow then I could get it over with, I need to know I can convey everything clearly, when I get stressed I get in a flap and forget things and trip over my words (look like a right idiot basically) and part of me is worried I won't be able to impress the importance of how this is affecting me/ upsetting me, then I doubt myself and think I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I only have to look down or in the mirror and that's enough, I'm worried the surgeon won't see what I see, that it won't be as bad in his eyes.

Sort of feel like my lifes on hold again, till I can get a re-op, I have very few bras that actually fit comfortably, and I refuse to wear the pretty/sexy bras my hubby bought me at xmas, partly because they don't fit anymore and more so because I don't feel attractive enough to wear them, I'm putting off buying any more that will fit like I'm not going to bother making crappy boobs look nice, and also if I do get a re-op the size may change. I'm sorry I know I'm whinging, need to fast forward 3 weeks and my appointment would be over now.

Ok so I took some more pics last night, as I haven't updated my pictrail for a while, I've uploaded them to the 6mths post op album, please can any active/addict/elite members take a look and tell me I'm not overreacting, please be brutally honest, I can't be upset anymore than I already am. If you already have my details the password is the same as before, PM if you want my details.

Youre definately not whinging sugarplum

Id offer to look at your pics but I have absolutely no experience of tubular apart from I looked it up on google images.

I sort of understand what you mean about not feeling like wearing the pretty bras but cant help but think if you make yourself wear something a bit blah - that it will make you feel a bit more blah too? Think you should wear something nice still, it doesnt have to be outright sexy - just feminine?? Personally think it a better boost to your confidence.

Waiting is so flickin hard isnt it! xx

Hun, your not whinging, I know exactly how feel about feeling like your life is on hold until you know if a re-op will be granted.

Make a list of questions that you want to ask your surgeoon and make notes of the points that you feel are important that you need to get across to him. If you note it all down and take it with you it will mentally take some of the strain away as it will makes things clearer in your head and stop you worrying that you are going to forget.

He has to listen to your points and if you are not satisfied with his answers then you have every right to demand a second opinion. If it is causing you distress hun then regardless of whether he sees the same thing you are seeing when you look in the mirror it needs to be addressed.

I would be happy to take a look at your pics hun, if you want to pm me your password xxx

Have PMd you both.

Kat- Yes I'm stuck in that rut of not bothering with my appearance, which makes me unhappy with how I look which perpetuates my feelings.

Butterfly- Thankyou, I will try and get some things down on paper and hopefully it might alleviate a bit of the stress.

My hubby isn't impressed with me, having my boobs done was supposed to improve my self esteem! he can see what I see (thankfully) but he's more the sort of the person to not overcomplicate things, and take it as it comes. He'll be there at my appointment which should give me some support.

I'll have a look for you if you like hun xx

Have pm'd you hun xx

Kay- Thankyou have PM'd you.

Butterfly- Thankyou so much for your reply have PM'd you back.

Hiya. Managed to get the pics up now. Will pm you in a little bit, when I am back at home cos I make loads of stupid mistakes posting from my phone. xxx

Hey hun x got your log in PM but just off out so will check your pics out tomorrow as don't wanna rush it xx

Thanks Kay.

Kat has suggested I put in writing my concerns before my appointment, and I think that's a good idea because I know I won't be able to articulate well under stress. I have drafted an email which I'm going to send to my pcc and ask her to pass it on to my surgeon so he knows of my new concerns before the appointment, in the hopes it will alleviate some of my stress. I'd really appreciate any feedback on my email, if I've worded it ok, you know not too agressive but get my point across.

I've also attached the pictures from my 6mth post-op album to my email, so hopefully they can see the issue.

I have had my 6mth review appointment rescheduled for the 3rd April now but before I attend the appointment, I wanted to put in writing my current feelings and concerns, as I'm feeling quite anxious about the appointment and am sure to forget important things.
I would appreciate it if you could forward this email to Mr Payne, just so he is aware of my concerns before the appointment.
At my 3mth check I discussed with Mr Payne my concerns about my right breast in particular, that it still lacks fullness and both breasts are still quite flat on the underside, lacking lower pole fullness, and the right lacks upper and lower fullness, leaving me with the same problem I had pre-op of my bras gaping on the right side, if I wear a bra that fits my left breast, the right side gaps and if I wear a bra that fits my right side my left breast is spilling out of the cup. I expressed that I still felt my old tuberous breasts were just sat on top of the implant and had not blended together, creating a mild double bubble, and droopy look to my right breast in particular. After airing these concerns, Mr Payne suggested that a bigger implant could be used to correct this, but did state that this would also mean a wider implant and may affect the assymmetry again. I questioned why the smaller implant (335cc) was placed in my right breast when this was the most empty breast and would surely need the larger implant, Mr Payne was unsure what size was put in what side and would need to check the notes, however we continued our discussion and I forgot to raise it again. When I got home I checked my paperwork and this has me very confused as I have two documents stating two different things, my Natrelle "credit cards" state L335 R375 and my discharge paperwork state L375 R335, I would like this clarified.
At the 3mth appointment we also discussed my liposuction to the thighs, which I was also unhappy about, I felt there wasn't a significant difference in certain areas, and that more fat needed to be removed on the tops of my thighs and my inner thighs needed more removed to balance the large indentation.
Mr Payne decided to review the situation at 6mths and asked that I make an appointment to see him.
Another concern has arisen which I did not mention at the 3mth check, partly because I believed that as I was only 3mths post-op it was "early days" and probably just healing pains, as Mr Payne did explain it can take a year for everything to settle. Anyway I'm now becoming more concerned that this is not healing pains and could possibly be capsular contracture. The new problem is with my left breast (issues with my right breast still standing) it has always felt different from my right, I cannot "forget" I have an implant on that side, the breast doesn't feel like it belongs to me, and it is painful to touch. I cannot tolerate pressure on that breast, be it a hug or my daughter resting her head against my chest, when I lean over to pick something off the floor I feel a pulling on that side, when I lie on my side in bed it is uncomfortable, it is like I can feel a restriction/resistance of the implant, lying on my front is extremely painful, so I can't do it.
At my first consult I was given 2 options to correct my tuberous breasts, round implants with a nipple lift, or anatomical implants with no lift. I questioned if any extra work (cutting the band/releasing connective tissue/lowering creases) was necessary to correct the deformity and Mr Payne reassured me that this was not necessary and anatomical implants alone would correct the shape. I feel a re-op is most definately needed on both sides now, and that more work to correct my tuberous breast deformity is necessary.