Deconstruction of large implants - What should I do?

Options
bdylanfan
bdylanfan Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hi Everyone, I'm bdylanfan.

I need your help. I've decided to have my 800cc silicone implants out after 3 years. 

Please tell me of your experiences, I'm especially torn about what to do with the excess skin. I don't want more reconstruction. I finally have fairly normal sensation over the scars and skin after a long period of being in pain. I'm having my implants out because the weight of them over a neck and back with herniated discs is keeping me from my formerly active lifestyle. 

I guess there will be drains involved. What can I expect?

Thanks for your help!

Does your skin shrink back at all over time? Would there be any advantage to waiting to have that excess skin removed?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2013

    I want mine removed too and have been wondering what's involved. Can it be done on an out-patient basis?

    When I had my MRI after being diagnosed with a new primary in the other breast; the radiologist said there was a tear in the implant.  It is silicone and have been there for 33 years!

    No wonder there is a tear!

    Anxious to hear what the responses will be---

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited June 2013

    Oh my goodness, well bravo to both of you for embracing life and making it more comfortable for yourselves!

    I hope you get many responses...many of the women here chose to be flat from day 1, so I personally have no information to share with you, but welcome to our group!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited June 2013

    I can't answer most of your questions, but I'm pretty sure the skin won't shrink back, so you might want to take advantage of your plastic surgeon's skills and ask him or her to make your chest as cosmetically pleasing as possible. I'm not sure about drains, but I think that implant removal is usually considered minor surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rseventeen
    rseventeen Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2013

    I had both my implants removed last December.  I was having major issues with the one side and radiation damage.  I can not recall the size (maybe small C) but anyway, after a lot of research I choice to remove them and not move forward with any reconstruction.  My ps was wonderful and did exactly what I wanted.  I had all the extra skin removed and she did a very nice closure.  The skin was really damaged from radiation and so was the pec muscle but 6 months later, the skin is so much softer and healthier.  My surgeon put one drain on each side to make sure that the open cavity did not fill up with fluid.  I was able to go home the same day.  Felt really good really quickly.  I had a good surgical recovery for the most part but had an issue with the radiated side filling up with fluid after the drain came out.  It took almost 3 months for that to sort it self out and it finally did.  While it was not an easy decision I am so relieved and I still have no regrets of taking them out!  Good luck with whatever you decide.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bdylanfan
    bdylanfan Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2013

    rseventeen,

    Thank you so much for your response!

    I'm really glad for you, that it worked out well.

    I think it's the right choice for me as well. I just hope to recover more of my use of pec muscles. I can't do a lot of activities that I used to love, Bike, swim, etc. Even just bring in the groceries tires me out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    Bdylanfan,

    What kind of difficulties do you have when biking? I love biking and have been trying to work back up to what I was doing last summer right before DX, BMX, and then my February exchange to implants. My 800's were more than I was expecting. I have mild difficulty getting my bike up the stairs, out to the car and up on the rack. I mainly ride crushed limestone trails. I do get more tired but have assumed I am just still regaining my strength from all of the surgery, anesthesia and time on my butt in the recliner. I do struggle with some daily things...opening jars, lifting bags of books, etc. but had hoped that time would improve that so I would really love to know how this has affected you.

    Thanks!!! And so sorry you are faced with yet another tough choice!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited June 2013

    I had a single mastectomy/reconstruction only so that probably makes a difference. And this was years ago where they just plopped in a "one size fits all" implant, added a drain and that was it. So after 3 weeks the drain was removed and I was cleared to run again. I had run a marathon, 1/2 marathon and a 10K during the 6 months before I found the cancer so was in excellent shape.

    Even so, I was VERY tired and could only do jogging for a month or so. I did a 10K a couple of months later, but was still not 100 percent.  These surgeries take a lot of you - more than we realize.   I had the 2nd stage reconstruction a year later, uplifting the other side, a new nipple, etc. That recovery was very easy.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bdylanfan
    bdylanfan Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2013

    Hello again,

    I've had several problems. I guess I should have paid more attention to the path report from implant exchange May 2010 "foci of chronic active inflammation". I think maybe some capsular contraction going on. My body just doesn't like these implants. Over time seems like the implants feel more tight and lots more muscle spasms when I try to do anything like working out.

    Seems like the longer I have these the less I am able to do.

    It's extremely frustrating to not be strong enough to pump up my tires. Right now the herniated discs in my neck are what's keeping me from biking (my favorite form of excercise), too much jarring. I was advised by a physical therapist to switch to stationary bike as opposed to treadmill or eliptical, as it's the least likely to aggravate my neck pain. And he was right. In Dec I decided to try just walking on treadmill and eliptical and had some really severe spasming of pecs and swelling problems on my right side.

    I wish things would have worked out better, but I'm glad I went through the reconstruction process. I needed that self-esteem boost at the time. My back aches all the time and it's getting worse. I think removing the 3.6 pounds of my implants will definitely help relieve my back and neck pain.

    My PS wants me to consider smaller implants. I just want off of this rollercoaster ride. Out and then no more surgeries. I've had my limit. It's not at all the outcome that I wanted but it may be what I need.

    I've had some bad complications along the way. I was diagnosed with Post-Mastectomy Pain, was on pain meds for a long time. Had epidural injection (Intercostal Brachial Nerve Block) at T4/T5 to help ease PMP but the anesthesiologist punctured my lung. Had to stay in hospital for 4 days with a chest tube to reinflate the lung (about a third of my lung had collapsed).

    Anyway, thank you all for your support. I wish all of you the best and I will be in touch.

    dogsandjogs, 

    I am worried for you having a ruptured implant. 




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    After 6 years, I was supposed to have my very small ( 275-300cc round mentor) implants removed, but PS had an emergency, and I've been rescheduled for early July.  It will be done in her office.  She said she doesnt' expect any problems. Says she makes a small incision on the side of the foob near underarm, and removes.  No drains.

    She wanted to do it as an outpatient at the hospital, but I was SO resistant, she ageed to do in office.  She has removed other women's implants in her office.  I describe my very small ( my choice) foobs as "man boobs" almost more near my underarm than on chest.  Have done quite a bit of research on this, and think the SHAPE of one's rib cage has a great deal to do with how the impants "settle."

    For me, the slight cosmetic difference does not make up for the discomfort I feel with them under the pec muscle.  No capsular contraction, just a constant PRESENCE of discomfort, like wearing a too tight bra.  BTW, I never wear a bra.

    I plan to wait a few months after the explant, to see if I want to have something done with whatever skin is hanging about. 

    bdylanfan, I don't know if size of implant is a factor in removal,  when I have mine out, I'll try to remember to ask questions - and report back what I learn.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories