How should implants feel and look after recon? I feel like a stuffed chicken:(

I'm not sure you should make any judgements just yet,  it's quite soon after your surgery and your breasts are still traumatised.

You probably need to wait for the internal tissue to settle down.

Hello Nnatalia22 - I am 3 months post double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants. Please give it time..you are at very early stages of healing. Give it time to heal. I have seen lots of changes over last 3 months myself and all moving in right direction to make both breasts look normal (as normal as can be and I am still very happy with outcome) and settled. They were uneven and one side higher than the other over the healing process but they have settled nicely now. They can do fat transfer if needed to help aesthetically. It can be hard understandably given everything but please be patient - I was also same as you at start of healing. Sending you good wishes and positivity all the way xx

Thank you so much Nyssa.

I feel like my skin is super tight and adhered to the implants, it doesn’t move at all. This is my main discomfort. Is this also common?

It’s frustrating because I wasn’t expecting this at all.

xx 

Natalia

Hi - I had a lot of swelling so felt large/inflamed and tight. I had it have it drained twice and tightness went post draining. Apparently normal to have draining done - did not hurt. Implants doesn’t really move as mine was placed under my pectoral muscle with mesh sewn in place to hold the implants in place. Perhaps feel different once swelling is down. Do you have drainage in place on both sides? X

It does take a little while longer after the operation for things to settle down. 8 days is still very early. I had a drain in for a week after the operation and felt more uncomfortable and swollen the week after that was removed. I was pleased with the result but then had to have radiotherapy which I feel has affected the implant a bit.