Just how does one tell if:

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iodine
iodine Member Posts: 4,289
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

you have a ruptured implant?

Had a CT of my chest for my allergist and the radiologist states that my mast side appears ruptured!!!!  I hate incidental findings of weird stuff!  I'll have the dvd sent to my plastic guy for his recommendations but in the meantime, thought you could help me out.  I just thought the good boob was bigger because of weight gain, not that the mast one got smaller.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2009

    Do you have silicone or saline?

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited August 2008

    Dotti you need to call your PS and prob go for an MRI.  If it's saline, the leak will be easier to see b/c your breast will literally be deflating.

    Either way, you will probably have to swap out the implant.  Please keep us posted!

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    It's a Becker 25% silicone 75% saline.  I really cannot tell that it has changed in any significant way, it has always drooped to the side of my chest when lying down, which was my position during the CT scan.

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited August 2008

    My silicone implant on the prophylactic side droops to the side when laying down and always has. I have no reason to think it is ruptured since it came that way. Hmmm, I wonder if you might review the CT scan with a PS given this prior to proceding with more tests. Just a thought: you're eyes on it may be worthwhile along with the doctors.
     
    Tender 
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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited August 2008

    Is it down by 75% ? I thought saline went pretty fast.

    I think your PS would know. I doubt Radiologists see a lot of Becker implants. 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    I don't think it's down by that much, I think the rad doc just didn't read it correctly---he likely doesn't even know I've had bc, oh, wait, guess he'd figure that out.  but I don't think he read it correctly,

    Talked with the ps nurse and have sent the dvd of the ct on to the ps.  I'll know next week for sure.  It's always Something.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2008

    Does it feel smaller? Or squishy like an underinflated balloon?  I'd think you could feel the dif.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Nope---like I said, think the rad doc just didn't read it correctly.

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited August 2008

    I hate to ask this but isn't it dangerous if it is leaking?  I thought I heard that the saline gets moldy inside and the silicone, well that is just not healthy?  I would think health wise you would notice something if it were leaking.  Anyway, I will vote with a misread by an overly aggressive radiologist!

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Not sure it COULD get moldy if the saline was sterile when injected.  (that's what you do with the Becker, fill till you get what you want)  You'd have to have mold spores in the solution, which , of course is Possible, but unlikely.  Besides mine have been in since spring '04

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Well the ps office called and the external part of the Becker, saline, has ruptured.  The silicone part inside is intact.  Oh, how fun.  Fortunately, I don't notice a lot of change.  I have plenty of time to decide if I want to have it replaced.  Right now, no.  I feel I've used all my Karma on the multiple past surgeries and that to go for another that likely wouldn't make that much difference is pushing my luck.

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  • Desny
    Desny Member Posts: 371
    edited August 2008

    Dottie, sorry to hear the news. 

    So you can stay with what you have (the silicone part) and not have to operate again unless something happens to the silicone implant part? 

     If that is what I am getting from your post.  Then that is not so bad.  I am with you in not wanting to go into the operating room unless it is necessary.  Are you going in to speak with your ps about options?  Good luck to you. 

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  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    This disease is the gift that keeps on giving bad gifts.  So sorry this has happened to you, Dotti.  Relieved you are not in any danger and that you don't have to make an immediate decision.  Maybe it won't ever have to be addressed and you can avoid another surgery. 

    Take care-

    Patrice 

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Thanks, Guys, it's nice to be cared about.  I'm just amazed it ruptured and keep wondering how and when?????

     the options I have are keep it unless something goes wrong later or go have it removed outpatient and replaced at the same visit.  Gen.anesthesia, wear ace bandages, no lifting for a while, good drugs but not much pain  LOL.

    Hey maybe I could get some face work done and have medicare (I got on it Aug 1) pay for the operating room time instead of me.   LOL

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  • Hanna60978
    Hanna60978 Member Posts: 815
    edited December 2011

    .

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Thanks, Hanna, food for thought!  I never considered the allergy connection nor the cloudy with flakes.

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited August 2008

    Dotti, I just saw this about your implant.  What a bummer!  Just when things are going well.......Reminds me of that line from the Sopranos.  "Just when you think you're out, they suck you back in" or something like that.  It's what we all dread somewhere inside.  Blah.  Don't you just hate it?  Anyway, I'm so glad to see that your rupture is not immediately serious.  I, personally, would choose a convenient time and just go ahead and have an exchange.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited August 2008

    dottie, glad it was only the saline part of the implant. I would as Tina said, plan a convenient time and get it exchanged.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    I am definately leaning to have it replaced.  since it's elective, I figure the ps will be booked up for a good while anyway.

    Just concerned I'll have to have a knee replaced and would love to ge that over with first.  Hard, hard decision, but hopefully, I'll get some good results with the synovial injections and can again delay the knee. 

    the replaced implant wouldn't be too bad, just no lifting for a while---so will delay that till after gardening season is over---maybe first of Nov or something.

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited August 2008

    Dotti,

    I'm sorry to hear this -- missed the thread until tonight.  :(

    Those Beckers are EXPENSIVE, aren't they?  Shouldn't they still be under warranty?  I can't decide if I'm being facetious or not...

    Anyway, hope you can get exchange when you want, and that it goes smoothly -- and that the synvisc injections help too.

    Hugs,

    Ann

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    Yes, I believe they are under "warrenty"  LOL, and to top it off, I have medicare now, so wouldn't pay anyway.  Even before I told them I was now on medicare, they told me I wouldn't have to pay anything.

    I think they are ALL expensive tho.  the maker of any of them would furnish a new one, as I understand it, but ins. would have to cover OP surgery, anesthesia and the surgeon's time.  (((sigh))), I'm really glad to finally be on medicare, tho.  My supplimental ins. is pretty expensive and so is the drug plan, but way less than the $2200 a month I have been paying for the last 2 years!

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  • lewisfamily503
    lewisfamily503 Member Posts: 621
    edited August 2008

    Dear Iodine,  What a bummer!!! I guess, if you are covered for a "replacement" I would also opt for a new implant.  I mean, why not?  The new cohesive gel silcone implants are not supposed to leak so that alone is worth it, huh?  LOL about the Medicare.  I still have a ways to go for that, but I can't wait because that means I can retire, wahoo!!!!     Health care costs are ridiculous, huh? 

     Good luck with whatevr you decide,

    Anne 

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  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited August 2008

    Hi, Dotti,

    This is crazy, isn't it? What do you think caused the rupture?

    I know what you mean about not really loving the idea of surgery again. One more cut into the scar, more lifting restrictions, time off from whatever, anesthesia, pain, recovery...boy, it makes you just want to jump up and run the other way!

    I'm not 100% in love with my foobs, and I admire people who don't think twice about more surgery to get exactly what they want. But the thought of another 6-8 weeks off exercise, potential complications, etc make me think I can find a way to live with my dissatisfaction...

    But, maybe it's like childbirth (which I never had!)--the farther out you get from it, the more you think that maybe it wasn't so bad after all...

    Good luck, and keep us posted. Can't they do the boob and knee at the same time??

    Anne

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