How often should implants be checked after implant exchange?

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Tempy
Tempy Member Posts: 101
edited November 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a double mastectomy in June 2015 with implant exchange surgery in October of that year. I've been doing fine with them until recently. I've been having some right sided discomfort which I thought was caused by underwire bra. I've now gone a few days without a bra and I still have some tenderness along the outside edge of the implant towards my armpit area. It's the weekend so not sure if I should call the nurse line to my oncologist's office to have me see a PS again or what. Just kind of lost here and looking for some advice.

UPDATE: I'm a nurse working in a hospital setting, pain bad enough that I popped over to the ER to have one of the docs take a look at the situation. He says that the implant looks to be intact, there's no lumps but my pain is definitely in my rib/chest wall area. He's suggesting a CT scan since an x-ray won't show enough detail with the implants.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited November 2018

    I saw my PS for an exam about every 2-4 weeks initially, up until around 3 months post-op. I see the BS every 6 months and still see the MO every 3 months.

    I've had US and mammo and then MRI for some concerns. My understanding is that the only imaging usually done is an MRI at 3 years and then every 2 years to assess implant integrity.

    Unless, of course, there's a problem ..

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  • JMJ532
    JMJ532 Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2018

    I have the same situation but it has been 11 years since my implants. One of them looks a bit "warped" and my other side, without the mastectomy but a lift and small implant, has some pain in the side. I would like to get them replaced but not sure about insurance. Do you know if insurance would cover the cost?

    Jen

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  • JMJ532
    JMJ532 Member Posts: 181
    edited November 2018

    I have the same situation but it has been 11 years since my implants. One of them looks a bit "warped" and my other side, without the mastectomy but a lift and small implant, has some pain in the side. I would like to get them replaced but not sure about insurance. Do you know if insurance would cover the cost?

    Jen

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  • star2017
    star2017 Member Posts: 827
    edited November 2018

    I have the same schedule as NotVeryBrave.



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