Extreme upper body pain, could it be the silicone implants?

Pigeon

I have read posts on this site many times but haven't written until now. I feel like my body is not happy with these foreign objects. Since DCIS Diagnosis in 2011 at age 48, I have had 8 surgeries (including multiple re-excisions and eventual double mastectomy with nipple sparing on the "good" side, revision surgery as the nipple sparing did not work,TE's, Implant Exchange, replacement of one implant after 1 year as it had shifted, and surgery on left shoulder - last year, after fall on ice caused bicep tendon tear). Also in a car accident last May (hit from left-rear by large pickup truck). I was fortunate in the sense that I did not need radiation or chemo, but have had serious pain problems since surgeries. My upper body (back, chest) have been problematic since Implants put in. I have been diagnoses with Costalchondritis, PTSD and Fibromyalgia. I have been in the emergency room multiple times feeling as though I must be having a heart attack. Apparently those were anxiety attacks. I have had numerous rounds of physical therapy and massage therapy. The pain that I have will not go away and, lately, appears to be getting worse in my upper back from rib cage up. At times, I feel like I can't take a deep breath or feel as though my breath was just taken out of me, my pec muscles can be really sore, my chest will hurt really bad under the implant on one side, but my back has been so tight and hurts all the time and P.T. isn't touching it. I can't help but feel that the implants are causing all of these problems. I never considered any other options at the time of diagnosis (although my Husband urged me to do whatever I wanted to do, regardless of recovery time, etc...). I just wanted to get it done and get back to work. My thoughts keep going in the direction of having them removed. I am wondering, if I have them removed - does anyone know if they would be able to do fat grafting over the muscle (not under), just to give me an A cup? I'm not ready to accept being completely flat (and I envy you women that have made this choice and are happy with it). Or, if this isn't possible, are there any other suggestions out there...the 24 hour pain is wearing me down.

dmarie71

I just had a PBMX last week and opted to go with very small direct implants and fat grafting. I have fibromyalgia, connective tissue disease and often experience chest, back, and rib pain. I am seeing one of the few plastic surgeons who are using the BRAVA system to create breasts with fat grafting. I chose to start with small implants and fat grafting and will have larger amounts of fat transferred in May. My goal is to have the implants completely removed eventually and have all of my own fat added to create completely natural breast mounds. My PS told me that women with pain due to implants have almost all had complete reductions in pain when using fat and small or no implants. It may be an option for you to consider.

Pigeon

Thank you dmarie71 for posting a response. I hope your recovery is going well and that your future procedures go well also. That is very interesting - it seems whenever I mention the implants as causing much of my discomfort, no one wants to listen. I think I need to be more aggressive and tell them what I want/need. I feel like they think I should just be grateful that I am cancer free and I do agree that I am very fortunate. If it weren't for the constant pain, I would not be thinking of doing something so drastic but it has to stop. I think I need to have a serious talk with my PS and go from there. Find another if needed. I really like the idea of utilizing my own body fat to re-create the mounds and having these implants removed. This is an exciting prospect!!! Thanks again for the post, I will definitely look into this