Attack of the Uniboob – What is Symmastia?
So for a crash course in my PBM and reconstruction story, you can read the condensed version here.
After the PBM, expander phase, implant swap, and then new implants and repairs to torn muscles, I was very happy with the result. Despite the pain of the last surgery, I couldn’t believe the difference in the way the new implants looked.
During the first 6 months of recovery I noticed a problem. I have always been fearful of developing ‘uniboob’, I think because during so much of this process the chest muscles are just stretched so tight. I have found it is a common fear with women going through reconstruction. A few months after surgery, I noticed that my skin no longer seemed to be attached to my breast bone and was popping up a bit. I asked my plastic surgeon about it and he agreed, and let me know that it could get worse, but that he wouldn’t recommend repair until/if it became worse because the surgery is painful and doesn’t always work. I had really had enough of pain and couldn’t imagine another surgery.
(Photos and resource links are posted at the end of this blog post)
Since that time I have noticed ‘rippling’ on both sides, when the muscle adheres to the implants and causes a weird ripple effect on the chest. I have also found that the ‘uniboob’ (real medical term is symmastia) is getting worse. The only way to repair either problem is with surgery. If I were facing just mild cases of either of those, I would probably be content to avoid surgery. But now that I have both problems, and they have grown worse over the last few months, I have come to face the fact that I will be facing another repair surgery next year.
I also have ‘dog ears’ on both sides of my left scar. Like rippling, they are difficult to photograph, but it is annoying that I have to wear a bra all of the time, and can be embarrassing because sometimes one of them pops out of my bra and creates a lump on my breast.
The surgery to repair symmastia isn’t fun. They will be stitching the muscle and skin to my breast bone and permanently stitching different places in my pocket to reduce future movement of the implants. I have found some very helpful information from different websites about symmastia. I haven’t spoken to my plastic surgeon about this yet, but will be soon. I have found that this repair isn’t done by a lot of surgeons and may have to travel to have it performed. I have found a doctor in San Diego that does them fairly regularly and also repairs rippling by adding Alloderm instead of just removing the implants and trying again, so I’m thinking I’m going to contact his office for an appointment in January.
I don’t think I’m really upset about this. I can feel a part of me that would love to be depressed, could easily be depressed about this. But as I did research this weekend I saw so many photos of reconstructions that have gone wrong and the scars from breast cancer and treatment and I know that I am still very lucky. Although some can get through this without any complications at all, my complications have been minimal compared to some, and I’m still healthy and haven’t had to face the nightmare of being diagnosed with breast cancer and fighting for my life. It could be so much worse.
So that’s where I’m at in my much-longer-than-expected journey with PBM and reconstruction. I will be contacting surgeons that specialize in the repair of symmastia to get a feel for the plan for the future. I know the repair is pretty intense, so I won’t be planning on doing it until after the Team Courage Gazelle’s event in Morocco (The Gazelle Rally) and the Team Courage Racing event in Baja (The NORRA Mexican 1000). That puts it about June. I’m also hoping to host a breast cancer survivor/previvor retreat in June, so make sure you’re signed up for blog updates so you can sign up before the spots are filled!
I have a smile on my face and a uniboob under my shirt, and life is good. One more step forward, and everything happens for a reason.
“The caterpillar thought her life was over, and then she became a butterfly.
Here is another site for more detailed photos. Again, not a recommendation, only information.
Here are photos of my different stages, including rippling, dog ears, and symmastia.
- Before Mastectomy
- Oct 2010 5 days post op 1st implant swap
- Nov 2010 – 1st Implant and Alloderm Failure
- Nov 2011 Almost One Year After After 2nd Implant Swap and Reconstruction Repair
- Jan 2011 Two and a half weeks after reconstruction repair
- Nov 2011 Almost One Year After 2nd Implant Swap and Reconstruction Repair
- Nov 2011 Rippling and Dog Ears
- Nov 2011 Almost One Year after 2nd Implant Swap and Reconstruction Repair, Symmastia
- Nov 2011 Almost One Year After 2nd Implant Swap and Reconstruction Repair – Symmastia
- Nov 2011 – Symmastia while laying down
- Nov 2011 – Symmastia after pushing apart implants
I am sorry you are facing another surgery, Michelle. I hope this is it for you. Keep us updated.
November 27, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Stay strong BFF as you do so much for so many with your blog. I was ready to give up after a bad fill with the expanders and came back to your journey for strength. Wishing you the best in the next surgery.
Pam, Mesa AZ
November 28, 2011 at 7:53 am
I just read through your blog and tears just started rolling down my face. Your story although different than mine is very simular in its journey. Today Im one week post op impalant replacement. Recoving has gone much easier and quicker than the first time. I hope that you journey down this road will soon find you well and healthy.
November 28, 2011 at 8:47 am
Dear Heart!
This is heart breaking to hear. I am so sorry that this journey has not come to an end for you. I have that same uniboob fear as I love to sleep on my side. You can feel them squish together, and wonder if the dam will hold. I hope that you will find an excellent MD to fix this, fast and pain free. Thank you for all that you do for so many!
Take care of You!
Shelley
November 29, 2011 at 8:51 am
Dear Courage, WOW!!! You must be the second me! I say this because we are the same, I have done everything you have to the tee! I am one step ahead of you though, I had the Symmastia surgery Dec.22,11 and am home recovering. I got on the web-sites to find help with exercises to help release some of these chest muscles and found your site. I live in Indiana and have a great surgeon Dr. Jeff Wagner!! He is done my orginal reconstrution. Dec. 2009 I fell when I fell I caught myself with my right arm… broke 2 ribs and torn all my flesh from my breast bone.. been so afraid for so long..like you to face another surgery. It’s ok so far, can’t tell you it doesn’t hurt cause it sure does. I have alittle rippleing taken place in my right breast found out after surgery dr. thought he could reuse my old implants so I’m thinking maybe that’s why to early to tell. I know how hard all this is believe me. If you would like to talk more just send me a email and remember I know how much it takes to strech out that far… I’ll keep you in my thoughts…
Peggy Sue
January 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm
These journeys we take are not easy. After removing my expanders in Dec and getting my soft implants, my right side just wouldn’t stay closed. Restitched 3 times but rolled over on my side during sleep and woke up with half of my implant hanging out of my chest. Surgery 3 days later with a new a muscle flap and smaller implant inserted on the right side. Not balanced now in size but I think I am going to heal this time. Hope you are doing well on your long journey. When I start to have a pity party, I think of all you have endured and come back to reality. Hugs to you our BFF.
Pam
February 19, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I am in love with your blog… THANK YOU! I had a second set of expanders and my first set of implants was cross contaminated with latex which I am allergic to, with my second set of implants I now have the rippling & uniboob & am considering just having them removed… I was fine being breastless… best of health to you on this journey.. I will be following along <3
March 1, 2012 at 3:10 am
I am about to face surgery for Uni-boob and want to know the recovery time and what you’re supposed to do during this time (sleep upright, wear a thong bra, etc.) Can anybody help me with that?
April 2, 2012 at 4:34 am
Hi Tonja! I’m so happy we were able to talk! You have my number now, so call anytime! Let me know when your surgery is schedule, and I think I should come to FC this summer and see you! We’d have a great time!
April 6, 2012 at 9:48 am
Tonja, I wore my thong bra for 3 months with a underwire bra added for 3 more months! While off work I did FB and mostly nothing else due to the fact my doc didn’t want me to do even dishes, he let me do landary after a month if I only lifted a handful at a time.
April 6, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Peggy, that’s very similar to what I told her on the phone, although I do feel that the underwires did contribute to my symmastia because they are always pushing up and together. My last surgery to repair the alloderm required that I wear an underwire 24/7 for 6 months. I wish I had worn the thong bra instead. I will be wearing my thong bra for at least 6 months 24/7, and then just at night for just a year.
I also agree about not doing anything. I am 5 weeks out from surgery and I’m still not doing dishes, laundry, or anything else. That sounds better than it is. It’s frustrating to not have the house in the condition I want it to be, or to be a slave to my husband’s laundry habits. He does laundry supervised, of course! But he’s been wonderful about my ‘handicap’ and actually tries to keep me from doing most of the things I want to do.
The most important thing about recovering from symmastia is to NOT DO ANYTHING! FOR A LONG TIME! DON’T!!
April 6, 2012 at 8:12 pm
yes I had my surgery in Dec. and I can finally say life pretty much is back to normal.
I have a bra I found keeps my breast seperate at night as I no longer sleep in my thong bra. I have an underwire it helps keep the side of my breast from going under my arms. I got the uniboob from a fall, tore all my stitches from my chest and broke three ribs… I no longer am in pain.
April 7, 2012 at 4:49 am