Reconstruction - rippling

I had my mx and reconstruction nearly 2 weeks ago, I have the same thing with the implant, it also feels very heavy and big at the moment. I'm hoping it will settle down soon. They talk about using a different style of implant after the op so will see how it goes for a while I guess.

Hi Loubelou, 

I am 8 weeks post mastectomy with direct expandable implant. It took a while for the swelling and soreness/tightness to settle down which is apparently normal. Most websites suggest 6-8 weeks recovery. Doc also also warned me that there will be rippling. Nurse told me to massage around the implant gently when I went for inflation today. 

Hi,

1. I had a double mastectomy 4 years ago and I did have some fat grafting from my leg over the top of the implants.  However,  that didn't last long and I've had rippling ever since. If I wear a good bra you can't tell. It's pretty common. Surprised your breast surgeon didn't tell you about it. Its more likely to happen the slimmer you are so I've been told. Mine doesn't really bother me but speak to your breast care nurse or surgeon if its causing you concern 

Tasha xx

I hope it settles down soon for you Lindsgab. Have you got full range of movement in back in your shoulder and arm yet?

The surgeon mentioned that I might get rippling I’d I had saline implants so I went for silicone.  I’ll see if it settles down. Thanks for your advice Tasha. I think I need to invest in some good bras and move on from the front fastening sports bras I was told to get before surgery. 

Hi Dhamma

I’ll try massaging around  the implant.  It is early days so hopefully the discomfort will subside.  
can I ask how long it took you to get back to normal activities like before, and work?  I have a call on Monday to talk about when I might return to work, but don’t feel ready yet.  My job is quite physical as I work with kids so I’m apprehensive about going back.  I’m hoping by 6 weeks I’ll feel less scared of lifting and stretching. 

Not yet, I can't left my arm up that high at the moment. I have spinal and shoulder issues on the side I had the op done so that's not helping I don't think.

Hi Loubelou,

• I only started massaging last week(7 week post op). I was not ready to touch the site before that! 
  I do still remember 3 weeks post I was wondering if it’s normal to still feel like my chest have been clamped/heavy, turns out it was. Mastectomy itself is a big surgery, plus the implant insertion. Recovery also takes longer if the implant is placed under the pectoral muscle. 
  I come to realise that my recovery is not linear. as the rest of my body recover from the surgery trauma I was developing different sensation in my chest area. The doctor reminded me last week that the would is not just on the incision but the whole chest area. I thought that was very helpful for me to put things in perspective. 
  I went back to work 5 week post op but only for once or twice a week. I hope your workplace is understanding and you will be able to ease back into work gradually. 
  Please also be dilligent with shoulder and arms exercises. Start first with the range of movement and later on with very light weight. Exercises do really help with the overall recovery.