Implant mobility

ellendorf

Nearly 3 months ago I had a mastectomy and reconstruction with implant at the same time. Things were going well but the implant is now a bit mobile… waiting to speak to my surgeon but wondering if anyone else out there may have experienced this?? 

Cheers 
ellen

FLClover

Hi Ellen. I haven’t as I still have expanders, but I’ve definitely read about it. The admin of one of the fb groups I was on had hers move multiple times, and had to have it surgically repaired each time. Sometimes it happened because she didn’t allow for enough recovery time. 

Good luck with yours 🍀

Mazbeth

Hi, I have under muscle implants and they are not ‘mobile’ - I do however have what is called animation. This happens when I flex my muscle and my breast moves with it. It’s tricky to explain, but my actual implant does not move around the breast pocket as each implant has a loop on the back which was stitched to my chest wall. I recommend definitely speaking with your surgeon. I believe that under skin implants are put in differently- not sure they are anchored to the chest wall. Take care. 

StrongCoffee

I have an over-the muscle implant that was put in at time of mastectomy back in April this year. Mine is held in place with a titanium mesh, which has been stitched onto the muscle like a pouch.

It doesn't budge. It doesn't even really jiggle. The scar tissue near the armpit is quite thick and maybe contracted a little, so maybe that's part of why it's so firmly in place.

I did 'dent' it a couple of months ago (accidentally banged it into the corner of a cupboard door) which has created a little blob that can be pushed in (then pops back out). It's not visible to the eye but ultrasound can see it. It looks like I damaged the 'capsule' and/or stretched out the titanium mesh in that spot, allowing for the implant to bulge there. Ultrasound shows implant to be intact.

Hopefully your surgeon can tell you if what your feeling is normal or not. Thankfully an ultrasound can see the wall of an implant quite clearly if they are looking for a split or rupture (very unlikely).

ellendorf

Thanks strong coffee! You have been great with advice for me. My implant was placed under the muscle but in the last two weeks has been moving - don’t know what I have done. Seeing specialist Monday so hopefully find out. Lined up for end of month to get my other breast reduced so hopefully there is some end in sight to all the surgeries…. Don’t think I have ruptured the implant but good to know that ultrasound can confirm. Sorry to hear about your dent but very glad no rupture. Still feels pretty weird though doesn’t it? 

ellendorf

Mazbeth I know that feeling if animation. Weird little muscle ticks! I used to have those but not so much recently. Appreciate your advice and discussing with surgeon next week! 

StrongCoffee

Hopefully it's animation or something else 'normal'. It's definitely weird, especially alongside the loss of sensation where my nipple was (along with phantom twinges in my non-existent nipple). I'm happy with my choice. It's nice to not worry about prosthesis and so on, which I know coming into summer swimming with the kid's I'll really appreciate. But it is all very odd having a fake boob.

All the best for the reduction - I guess if anything has gone astray with your implant they can fix it at the same time. My PS said a small lift and a bit of lipo would even me up, and I do look at my wonky boobs and consider it. But I've just gotten to the stage of healing that I can bear a 'normal' soft cup bra and have found one that does the job of making me look as even as I ever was with clothes on. Otherwise I just wear lots of patterns (yay for florals being in fashion!).