r/MastectomyManagement

Anyone deal with an infection after direct-to-implant reconstruction? Did you end up losing your implants?

I had a double mastectomy with direct-to-implant reconstruction on 7/21, so I’m coming up on four weeks post-op. The first week was honestly great—I had almost no pain and felt like recovery was going incredibly well.

Then around 8–9 days post-op, I developed a pretty awful infection and ended up hospitalized for three days on IV antibiotics. When I was admitted, they were very upfront that if imaging showed an abscess or fluid collection around the implants, I might need surgery and potentially have the implants removed. Thankfully, my CT didn’t show a collection, so I was discharged on a 21-day course of Keflex.

My plastics team has continued to be very transparent that I’m not necessarily out of the woods. The antibiotic could end up not covering whatever bacteria caused the infection, and even if the infection clears, the inflammation could potentially lead to significant capsular contracture and another surgery down the road. Basically, there’s still a chance I could end up losing these implants.

At my three-week follow-up, they removed my right drain because it had stopped functioning. When they pulled it, what felt like a RIVER of milky fluid came out—easily ~50 cc. 🤢 They left the left drain in because it was still draining similar milky fluid.

Fast-forward to this weekend, almost four weeks post-DMX, and my left drain started falling out. I spoke with the on-call plastic surgeon, who told me I could remove it at home. My husband pulled it, and again, a ton of brown/milky fluid poured out.

Now both breasts are significantly red, hot, swollen and have a burning sensation. The swelling has increased enough that I had to go buy a larger zip-front bra. I don’t currently have a fever.

I called the on-call line again tonight, and the conversation honestly left me with more questions than answers. He initially didn’t realize I had implants, despite being the same doctor I had spoken with earlier about removing the drain. Based on the symptoms, though, there’s obviously concern that the current antibiotic may not be adequately treating whatever is going on.

I’m calling my actual plastic surgeon first thing tomorrow and hoping he can see me, repeat imaging to look for a fluid collection, and give me some clarity on whether we’re reaching the point where these implants need to come out.

The added complication is that I’m supposed to start my next cancer treatment by around 9/1, so getting this infection under control and being healthy enough to continue treatment is my biggest priority.

Has anyone here dealt with an infection like this after direct-to-implant reconstruction? Did antibiotics eventually clear it? Did they aspirate/wash out the area, exchange the implants, or did you ultimately have to have them removed? If they were removed, how long did you have to wait before reconstruction again?

I think I’m mostly looking for experiences so I have some idea of what the possible paths forward might look like. I’m so upset and just desperately want to feel like I have some control over my body again.

Six rounds of TCHP before surgery somehow felt like a cakewalk compared with this. 😩

I have a question for my fellow teachers, but first some background.

I'm ++- and had a double mastectomy 8-1-25 with reconstruction. When the bandages were removed the left side had developed necrosis and the skin was dying. So on 8-22-25 I had surgery to remove the implant and necrotic tissue and add a tissue expander. Spent the fall/early winter going thru 6 rounds of TC chemo. Beginning of February I returned to work as Special Education teacher. April did 25 rounds of radiation. 1.5 weeks before the end of the school year I noticed a scab on my left side from radiation. Within a week it had fallen off and I had a quarter size hole in my skin that exposed the tissue expander. That led to surgery the day before the last day of school to switch out the tissue expander. Everything was going great until 5 weeks after I started leaking serous fluid from a pin prick hole. Later developed a second hole and then a third. All along the scar line. This led to a fourth surgery on July 24th where I woke up with no tissue expander because there wasnt enough tissue and being told I'll need a skin graft when it's time for the tissue expander. Since then I've healed and have tried to wear my prosthetic book, but my chest wall still hurts. I've spent most of the summer with just the one boob to reduce pain.

Question: If you're a teacher did you go back to work with only 1 breast and how did the students respond?

Hello! Cheering for you and your journey. Feel free to use this as an invitation to share your updates and checkins with your surgery. It is a marathon but you are not running alone 💜

I'm 39 I need help after surgery I am in so much pain. I hate going to the hospital for a shot of you know what. I have cancer and it's supposed to be removed but the pain is debilitating. How will I get my life back? Anyone know what I can do?

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with, because dark humour is how I cope, “best case scenario lobular cancer”. It’s stage 1 or 2 (lymph node biopsy was clear but they’ll only rule them as totally benign once envied and tested), ER+, PR+, HER2-. We caught it super early because i’m high risk and have annual contrast MRIs. Although it’s just on the right, I’ve made the decision with my team to do double mastectomy with reconstruction probably in the same surgery.

If you’ve had similar ops, what did you find most helpful in the days immediately afterwards? I live alone (father has Alzheimer’s, mother is his caregiver, and I don’t have a relationship with my sister who is homeless and an addict). I’m still not really processing what’s about to happen to my body, so thought trying to focus on practical preparation might help

Hi, I recently had my left implant removed and it will be a few months before I can start the process of expansion and getting a new implant.

After a single google search I am now getting served tons of ads… don’t get me wrong, I LOVE that there are so many options but it’s also impossible to know what to get. I only had surgery yesterday but I’m likely returning to work in about 3 weeks so I need to have a plan.

Please share your favorites for daily wear! Also I am in Phoenix and it’s hot, so lightweight/breathable options appreciated.

I am one year post bilateral mastectomy, straight to implants. I have my first, of a few, fat grafts scheduled for 8/20. Any thing I should know? Any helpful tips pre or post procedure? TIA!

Ladies, help me understand what does expander 275 ml mean? what They have expanded me to this today. My first and only fill. Doc said I won’t need another. How big will my bra size be with this if he plans to put in implants around 400-450cc?? I don’t understand this. Wish there was a visual guide

Hi guys, Ive been a full time lurker on this sub for the past few weeks, since my DCIS diagnosis on 7/22/26, just a few weeks after my 26th birthday. Biopsy, mammogram, and MRI show a 6-7cm area from the side of my left breast approaching the nipple, but not yet involving the nipple according to imaging. Biopsy taken on 7/20 showed intermediate to high grade, comedonecrosis, and ER+/PR+ 90%. There is also a small palpable lump in this area which is the spot that was biopsied. I also have some fibroadenoma.

This was a bit of a shock, as I have no family history of breast cancer and had genetic testing done last year in order to rule out Lynch syndrome having been passed down from my grandfather (clear there!) with the only notable result being a variant of unknown significance in the PALB2 gene, which is exactly that; of unknown significance.

Ever since I moved to San Francisco 3 years ago, it feels like I haven’t been able to catch a break. I went off the birth control pill and experienced horrible cystic acne (now under control), was diagnosed with endometriosis with surgery for that and appendectomy being 10 months ago and endo found on the peritoneum, then three spots of alopecia areata earlier this summer, one still active, and now this. I’m trying to stay positive but it’s been a rough go.

My doctors are Dr Edquilang, Parrett, and Jeske at Sutter Health here in the city. We have a bilateral mastectomy with DTI planned for 11 days from now on August 17th, with motiva ergonomix implants placed and a sentinal lymph node biopsy too. I am a 32A now but really want to be a 32B after reconstruction, which my surgeon thinks is possible as well as sparing the skin and nipple.

Does anyone have a similar case with DCIS that wasn’t upgraded or going bigger with DTI? And how was your recovery? I am really hoping that my case won’t require radiation or chemo afterwards, but may require endocrine therapy. As of now, there are no plans for these yet, although I will be undergoing an egg retrieval cycle with UCSF in September.

Thank you everyone in advance! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

I had a mastectomy on July 31. The right side. I’ve been in a compression vest (binder) since then. I’m struggling. It’s very uncomfortable, even with a t shirt or tank top underneath. I have tried medical pads and socks to pinpoint and comfort the worst areas, like armpits… I have a drain line that I’m managing well and it’s not uncomfortable. This vest, though, is breaking me. I suspected that I had it too tight because my mom helped me get it closed a day ago after a sponge bath. So, I loosened it a bit. The level of discomfort I am feeling right now is terrible. Does anyone have any advice for me about how to tolerate this? For reference, I am a 57 year old woman. I have a high tolerance for pain, but this has me in constant tears. I need to hear someone else say it sucked for them, too. I try to avoid complaining to my caregivers ( mom, husband, sister, friends) because they can’t fix it.

I have mentor expanders post mastectomy. They have not yet been inflated due to some healing issues. I am debating switching surgeons and getting Motiva implants instead of mentor. I am very thin and am not a candidate for fat grafting. I insisted on over the muscle expansion even though surgeon was against it initially. Please share advice or experience you have had that may have been similar. Are motiva implants superior for reconstruction over the muscle for thinner patients?

My sister (age 40) is having a mastectomy with expander placement at the end of the month and I am going to be her caretaker for after her surgery . I am brain storming some activities to keep her entertained and I am hoping the group can help me with ideas and also gut check if what I’ve come up with is reasonable given her limited mobility , pain, etc. . For example if we decorate gingerbread houses (yes it’s August, whatever ) is that going to be too much movement of her arms ? She’s the artsy type so most ideas are crafts.

So far this is what I have:
- ginger bread house decorating
- make your own sushi
- water color painting
- paint by numbers or coloring books
- walks in the park next to her house
- virtual movie nights with friends like during COVID
- she doesn’t love puzzles or board games that require a lot of strategy but I’m open to suggestions

Thanks for any help!

One year ago today I had my double mastectomy, 5 weeks after completing chemo (Keynote 522). Just wanted to say. I

I was do scared going in, I'd never had major surgery, I was convinced I wouldn't wake up. I'd written my will a cpl of days earlier. In case I would wake up I had bought new bed sheets and several button up shirts.

My scars are still very tight and they're extremely ugly, esp on the non-cancer side. My dermatologist (MD) was appalled when she saw the scars (I was there for sth else entirely) and explained to me how they should've cut and why this can never look good ever without intervention.

Ladies and gentlemen, make sure you get a plastic surgeon for AFC, or you might just get C. I'm not flat and my chest is certainly not aesthetic. I'm not overweight.

I'm very, very grateful to be alive. But had I chosen reconstruction I would've gotten a PS. Here it's still like "Flat closure?!? Oh, so you don't want to be a true woman, then it cant matter how your chest looks."

I can ask for revision surgery but it will take a loooooong time to get it - if it even gets approved.

Getting cancer is a great sadness, Idk why they think it's ok to add insult to injury by not trying to make the scars look at least decent. I wanted a DMX because I'm BRCA1+.

So, vent over. Thank you for listening. 🩷