Silicone implants for recon the same as for breast enhancement?

Lily55

Are silicone implants used in breast enhancement surgeries the same as those used to replace "breasts" in post cancer reconstruction?

I have read some horror stories about implants used for enhancement, and been advised by a friend who explanted, so wondering if these are the very same type used in "breast" replacement?

Meow13

I think they are the same. I know there are different shapes like tear drop but I think they are essentially the same construction.

NotVeryBrave

Yes, they are the same. There are multiple brands with different sizes in terms of width and projection for total volume but the same deal.

VegGal

Yes, they are the same but everyone and every body is different, as well as the surgeon. You will always find someone who has a horror story and there will always be those who seem to have gotten a magic fix. The reality usually is someone in between those extremes. Remember, too, that implant technology is changing all the time.

Do your research and think about what you want. Go find the best surgeon you can to make it happen if that's what you want!

Good luck!

Lula73

If you are having doubts about implant recon, know that there are other options using your own tissue (generally taken from tummy or hips) called autologous reconstruction. DIEP flap and SGAP flap are the 2 most common ones.

To get back to your question though...yes they are the same implants. But you are starting from a totally different place than someone who is augmenting with an implant. They still have breast tissue which helps with projection, shape, etc. with mx, you don't. Breast tissue goes all the way up to the collar bone, implants do not. While they will have some natural softness left in their breasts like before implants, recon breasts are 100% implant and will feel different. Fat grafting can be done to help fill in divots on the upper poles of the breasts and to help round out the shape and rippling with implant recon. Under the muscle implants will always cause the breast shape to look unnatural when using the pec muscles as they are being squeezed and contracting where in augmentation there is still breast tissue over it that conceals it. Breast tissue in augmentation also helps insulate the implant so it feels warm. There’s no insulating breast tissue left with implant recon so the implants can feel cold (to you from the inside and to anyone from the outside) especially in the winter months.

NotVeryBrave

Maybe it's just me, but I keep hearing occasional references to implants feeling cold on the inside - especially from people who don't have the. Mine have never felt that way. They do feel cool to the touch if you're in a cold environment - similar to how your butt might feel cold after swimming in a cold pool or the ocean.

exbrnxgrl

Yes, they are the same. What horror stories have you heard? Could you be more specific about your concerns? I have had my silicon implants for almost 7 years, with no problems. I do remember some feeling of coldness, initially, but don't notice a thing now.

LisaK12

Mine don't feel cold at all, even if I'm outside in cold temps -- they feel just as warm as the rest of my body. Mine are pre-pectoral, on top of the muscle rather than underneath it.

Sassa

I had my reconstruction with implants in 2009. I had no problems with the tissue expanders or the exchange.

My implants are comfortable, have soften to the touch and I even have a bit of jiggle.

Don't believe all the horror stories you hear.

joy2

Hello Sassa! What type of implant do you have? I have my bilateral mastectomy on April 25th with silicon gummy bear implants and i am concerned about how they would feel.

Sassa

The gummy bear implants were not approved for use when I had my reconstruction. I had Naturelle silicone implants.

When I was cleared by my surgeon, I started doing daily exercises to strengthen and stretch my chest muscles.

As you probably know, it takes a while for the implants to "drop and fluff." While the initial dropping and fluffing took about a year, the process has been ongoing.

It was about three years before I notice a bit of jiggle in zumba class and probably about six years when I noticed that the implant area seemed soft to the touch (although still firmer than breast tissue).

joy2

Thank you for the information. Sassa. My implants will be gummy bear by natrelle too. I hope everything will be fine. In this point i don't know any better. I an doing what my PS said it is better. Have you ever had any problem with your implants? do you ever sleep with your tummy down?

Lily55

Thank you for all the responses.  The problems were mainly around rupture, capsular contracture and immune reactions against the silicone creating illness etc.....

What are gummy bears? 

I don´t have a choice of surgeon but this one seems quite good.......I wanted a DIEP but if I have that and it fails there is no other option for me as lat dorsi is not a possibility......so I am going with implants........been told they will be Allergan Natrelle.........and anatomical shape not the round ones.  

Lily55

Article on gummy bear implantsThis doesn´t make for happy Reading about anatomical ones,,,,,,,,

Is the Natrelle a gummy bear implant?

After years of fighting for my right to reconstruction I am aware I am getting slightly re traumatised, prospct of another surgery, drains et etc.....

Meow13

Lily, good luck to you. I hope things go smoothly.

exbrnxgrl

Lily,

Side effects are possible with any type of procedure. Being aware of them is good, but remember that most people don't suffer from any of them, though there is no way to ascertain who will and who won't. If you're worried based on what you've read on BCO, remember that those who have no problems are much less likely to post about it. I have had Natrelle rounds, with Alloderm slings under the muscle, done in a one step procedure for almost 7 years. I have had none of the problems you mentioned. Best of luck to you.

MinusTwo

Lilly - the original implant called 'gummy bear' was the Allergan 410 anatomical. They were the first made of cohesive gel material - called gummies because of the feel & the way they work. If punctured they do not leak. I had those 'installed' under a research plan in 2011 before they were approved. I too love mine. If you have anatomical, be sure your PS has lots of experience who is very detailed. The pocket must be exact.

There are now implants made of the cohesive silicone gel that are round. If you want to get a personalized recommendation, go to Breast Implants 101, read the header, and put in your specifications & measurements for Whippetmom's recommendation

MinusTwo

Here's the link

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topics...

Lily55

THank you everyone - seems the surgeon is wanting to use Allergan Natrelle anatomicals.........will look at 101......thank you all xx

Lula73

hi Lilly- just an FYI- you can do implants and if not happy have them removed and do DIEP. You can also do DIEP and if not happy have it removed and do implants...but if you find you were happier with DIEP you can’t get them back. Failures happen with implant recon too. It’s not like breast augmentation, as there’s no “cushy” tissue over top of the implant and it’s sitting in a concave dip in your chest wall. Skin quality becomes very important at that point as there is no adherence to the implant. With natural tissue recon the skin adheres to the transplanted tissue giving better viability odds even with skin compromised by rads. Also finding a surgeon who does a lot of the DIEP flap surgeries and is dedicated to superior quality outcomes tend to have lower failure rates (ex: national flap failure rate is 10%, NOLA’s flap failure rate is <1%).

Lily55

Thank you I really wanted a DIEP but failure rate at the only hospital i can go to is 25% and they will remove a rib and said cannot have implants afterwards - I hate how I am so cannot risk being left with nothing so decided to try lesser surgery first......also now have a husband with brain cancer so cannot cope with eleven hour op.......alone miles away as this surgery can only take place 3 hours away and i will be all alone there.................

Lula73

oh my goodness,Lily! Your plate is FULL. I’m guessing your in the Kaiser network? Know that we are all here for you and will support you if you need advice, just want to talk, or even vent at the top of your lungs. Hugs, warm thoughts and healing wishes for both you and your DH. (((Hugs)))

exbrnxgrl

Lily is not in the US, if I’m not mistaken. As far as Kaiser goes, I am a Kaiser patient and had all options for recon open to me.

Meow13

Lily, you are in Canada right? Good luck I am excited you are getting reconstruction finally. I know it has been a long wait.

Lula73

xbrnxgrl- did you change your screen name? I recognize the photo but not the name...then again AI brain fog may be striking yet again - LOL! I asked about Kaiser because they typically will not pay if you don’t go to their docs/hospitals. Since Lilly stated she could only go to a certain center, I thought that may be why. Socialized Medicine makes sense too though.

Lily55

Hi, no I am in Europe........its been a long battle to get this far......and now it is all happening very fast and I am feeling very stressed to be honest to be re visiting this six years on.............and I will be totally on my own all the time I am there as the hospital is three hours away.....so no friends and no family around......feels a lot to be managing to be honest

Meow13

Keep posting Lily, we are here and listening. I hope everything goes well.

Lily55

I am reading so manyo cnflicting things about implants and above or below the muscle,,,.....surgeon said above muscle would show up a lot more but surely that is a lot easier on your body?

exbrnxgrl

Lily,

Above the muscle implants are less common than under the muscle and I would guess, though I may be wrong, that fewer plastic surgeons are skilled at above the muscle implants when you have no underlying breast tissue. Those who have gone over the muscle seem satisfied with them, though there are far fewer of them.

What conflicting things have you heard?

Lily55

That over the muscle is more visible but under the muscle distorts the implant and also can cause other problems in shoulder and neck due to stretching the pectoral muscle (most of mine was removed during the surgery) and that over the muscle is easier to replace implants whereas under is not, under muscle implants wear out faster and are more painful....

After so many years I am struggling a bit with this.....its reviving a horrible experience for me but I cannot live as a lop sided person

exbrnxgrl

There are plusses and minuses for each choice and it is impossible to tell ahead of time which will work best for you. You mentioned that your choice of treatment center was limited. Can you choose your surgeon? If so, try to find one who has the most experience with the procedure you choose.

Also, bear in mind that women who are perfectly happy with their reconstruction are far less likely to spend time posting about it, so by reading bco, you do learn about all the possible complications, but need to remember that not everyone experiences these complications. I have had my under muscle implants for almost 7 years and am quite pleased with them. Wishing you the best.