Did you remove implants & go flat? How was recovery?

rbc

I had dbl mx w dti on Christmas Eve 2022 after a synchronous bilateral recurrence/new tumour of heterogenous IDC. My implants are bigger than I wanted (200cc of tissue removed, 300cc implanted) and just super uncomfortable, tops don't fit anymore, its harder to do the sports I like, and to he frank they look matronly. I just want them out. My recoveries from previous surgeries (3 lumpectomies prior to the dbl mx) were painful recoveries w complications (necrosis, nipple loss, seromas).

How was your recovery after explant? Aesthetically what did it look like?

I'm 49yo & generally fit.

Thanks!!

(originally posted in Breast Reconstruction forum but decided this was a better location)

prairiedweller

I don't have any words to help, but would just like to follow this thread. I have a rupture after having implants after 8.5 years and I'm considering going flat.

Nsbrown54

Sorry to hear you have a rupture. What are your symptoms?

I had a right SMX in Oct 2020, with 650cc implant, then left SMX in Dec 2021 and had 430cc implants placed on both sides. Was happy to go smaller, but my left implant is uncomfortable. I don't see my PS until September, so I'm giving it time to heal. But it it doesn't improve I'd consider going flat on both sides.

msphil

hello sweetie I was diagnosed at 42 treatment completed at 43yrs old while planning our 2nd marriages. Idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before after L mast with reconstruction had one filling in expander then its hardened rushed to ER by then fiance now husband with high fever it was removed my body rejected it as a foreign object 3 mo chemo after got married then 7wks rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen. Wear prosthesis in my bras bathing suits no problems. Praise God a 28yr Survivor this yr. Was meant to go as it did im on this site and another ti go me back and Inspire those going thru. Wrote book bout experience but not aloud to mention on this site but have help others with my entire story even and woman that called to say I save her life as she was contemplating suicide till she got my book got her thru gave her Hope. msphil

ProudMom_Wife

I explanted with AFC after having saline implants for 11+yrs and am now flat and LOVING it!

Recovery for me has been so much easier than when I had the bi-lateral mastectomy, even easier than the exchange surgery.

I know everyone is different, but for me this has been so much easier. I feel so much healthier and actually feel like me again. Did not recognize how much the implants were affecting my mental health, so glad they are gone.

lifegoeson

I had implants for 11 years and explanted them 2 years ago when they became really uncomfortable. The recovery from the explant was much easier than the recovery from my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. I'm very happy I had the implants removed.