Possible ruptured saline mentor implant -how to proceed

bluefootbooby

I am new here, so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place, etc.

First: solidarity to all travelers.

Second: I have what may be a ruptured right implant. I had BC in 2008, was advised a bilateral mastectomy and got it. Reconstruction with mentor saline-filled silicon shell implants. Had a recurrence in 2016 in my armpit, and a lumpectomy.

I noticed a month or so ago that one was way smaller than the other. Asked a friend/plastic surgeon who suggested it may have ruptured. I asked my PCP how to proceed. She suggested seeing a plastic surgeon. Suddenly had pain on that side. Called plastic surgery (i use a teaching hospital). They said they didn't really do 'urgent care' type help and did not know how I should proceed. :O

Went back to PCP who said, 'maybe a breast surgeon?' so i got upset and said, 'can you please find out for sure?' I know my doctor friends have other doctors and depts on text messaging basis, and literally her job is to refer me to the right place.

Anyway I will be driving a long drive to see a breast surgeon tmrw. However, the New Patient Nurse says this surgeon doesnt deal with implants much. So I'm like -- I'll probably be referred again? yes, she says.

Why is this a puzzling situation for this Huge Cancer Center Teaching Hospital and why am I being bounced around so much? Is this normal?

Isn't it a common situation to have an implant possibly ruptured after 11 years and be examined??

Please refer me to answers to:

What next; replacing implants; imaging needed

exbrnxgrl

Sorry that this has happened. When saline implants rupture the saline is absorbed by your body so one side looking smaller would be a clue that this may have happened. Silicon implants, since most are cohesive gels, are a bit harder to detect when it comes to ruptures. Over all, although it happens, I don’t think it is very common. The 10 year mark on implants used to be a time when replacements were sometimes needed. This is not the case in at least the last decade. My first thought is that a plastic surgeon, who does recon, would be the person to see. They could do the imaging to confirm and replace if needed. Is your original ps available?

bluefootbooby

No, my PS was in another state, far away. That was 11 years ago. But yes, I am puzzled as to why the plastic surgeons are disinclined to make an appointment for me.

SpecialK

I just had a silent rupture of one of my five year old silicone implants, and had surgery in June to replace bi-laterally. What you need is imaging, preferably a MRI. I’m not sure how useful a consult with a breast surgeon will be since it would be a plastic surgeon who would do the replacement, but I would see if you can get a referral for imaging out of it at a minimum. Hopefully you can then get the rupture question answered and can move forward with a plan from there. Good luck!

bluefootbooby

Thank you. I am going there, but I am resentful for being bounced around.