Unfortunately I was diagnosed in May of this year with ALCL Lymphoma which the doctors feel is a direct result of this implant which I chose for reconstruction back in 2006. This was a very new implant back in 2006.  This is a very rare occurance and has not been well documented. Maybe 60 cases world wide. A seroma develops around the implant between the implant and the capsule.  I've been to two very prominent hospitals, neither of them having diagnosed any patients to date.  I am the first.  Fortunately I was lucky enough that once they removed the implant the ALCL has not returned to date.  I have another PET scan in several weeks to make sure and am tentatively planning on reconstruction once again with the DIEP procedure if all is well. I'm very thankful I caught this in time and have been able to avoid any type of treatment at this point. Oncologist's felt that if the implant was removed, hopefully the problem would go away.  I've copied information below to give you as much information as possible. 

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)

The FDA has identified a possible association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ALCL is not cancer of the breast tissue. The FDA believes that women with breast implants may have a very low but increased risk of developing ALCL adjacent to the breast implant. A literature review identified 34 unique cases of ALCL in women with breast implants worldwide. In total, the agency is aware of approximately 60 cases of ALCL in women with breast implants that were identified through the FDA’s contact with other international regulatory agencies, scientific experts and breast implant manufacturers. This is a very small fraction of the 5-10 million women who have received breast implants worldwide.

Additional data is needed to fully understand the possible relationship between ALCL and breast implants. The FDA is asking health care providers to report all confirmed cases of ALCL in women with breast implants through FDA’s MedWatch Program.

The documents below include the FDA’s analyses of the data and steps we plan to take to better understand and characterize the possible association.

Pamela

I have heard other people say the same thing about the Natrelle.  The Mentor's and the Sentra gummies have more projection.  I am sorry you are not happy.  Have you talked to whippetmom yet?  She might be able to help.  Also, tell your PS you are not happy.  The gummies do not settle and change shape, so they are what they are.  You might consider having them changed out.

ChrisAnneW, goldie4040, ANYONE  who went from TE to anatomical gummies:  Trying to decide quickly on which brand,  etc.:  Surgery scheduled in few weeks, and I'm still undecided. Need final consult.   Want small, natural look, but COMFORTABLE...Big concern is how I hate the feel of something in there...Keep hearing how much better will be after exchange, but some of you testify otherwise.  1.  can you explain why even at night you need a bra for sleep?    2.  Do anatomical gummies feel "heavier" thanTE, (if comparing same sizes), ?  Is that because they are weighted at bottom for tear drop shape, vs. the tight/round shape ?    3.  ChrisAnneW:  on hot and sticky  or  overly cool gummies:  did you have that problem with TE, also, or only after exchange ?  4.  Anyone know if Fat grafting actually improves comfort a bit or only helps appearance?    I'm fully confused  about doing a fat grafting simultaneously with exchange, vs. waiting till implant settles to see where it's needed etc.  Seen many PS, and most prefer to wait on fat, while one routinely does FG during exchange, (maximizes the surgery, prbly cuz he can charge more, LOL !  etc.) - other PS say if needs lots of pocket work to make space etc, the fat will not take, anyway, or just better to wait and see if/ where needed... but that's another separate surgery...  ANYONE HEARD ANY CLEAR REASONS FOR SIMULTANEOUS FAT GRAFTING vs.  WAITING ??       THANK YOU  !!

SheSheen - I love my Allergan 410 anatomical silicone "gummies".  Anything would be MUCH lighter than the TEs could be but I don't find them heavy.  BMX with TEs was Feb 2011.  TEs were just horrible. Exchange was Sept 2011.  I don't often even think about my implants as being fake anymore.   i don't find them too firm.  Shape is great & looks really natural.  Cleavage is great.  Height is great.  No divots or wrinkles. They are bigger at the bottom like a natural breast is but they are not "weighted" other than the size.  Never had a problem w/hot or cold difference in the implants.  Make sure your PS lets you feel several of the different kinds of implants in the office.  Even better if he has his own before & after pictures from reconstruction (NOT from augmentation only).

I started out wearing a sports bra to sleep at night & just got into the habit.  My PS said I'd never need one again w/anatomicals.  During the day I only wear stretchy mini-camies - not bras.

My PS would not consider lipo or fat grafting until everything had healed & settled.  By then he'd done such a good job I didn't need it. But you're right - every PS has his own way of doing things.

SheSteen - Please see the thread called Breast Implant Sizing 101.  You'll find a wealth of information there.  It's best to read through the header as many questions are sometimes answered right there.  Whippetmom is also open to helping via PMs or email, but read the thread header and check in there first.

Hang in there!

Rachlmarch, 

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience / information...and so sorry you have to deal with yet another pervasive issue. Hopefully, fully cured forever with implants gone.  Thanks to everyone for all the frank discussion on so many topics.  It's absolutely the best resource around.  Wishing very, very best to everyone !

I'm a bit computer - challenged... How do I get to TimTam photo site?  I tried to PM her, but couldn't find  a post and searched TimTam, which came up empty.  Does anyone have her proper userame so I can PM ?   And same for whippetmom?

THANK YOU

I need help. Early February I am scheduled to exchange my gel implant for a textured gummy bear tear-drop implant. It was my PS idea. I complained late Spring that the implant pinched me in the arm pit area. He had me come back 6 months to see if I adjusted to it and it all settled down. He again asked how I liked my implant. I said it really pinches me in the arm pit area, and it seems to be hardening. When he first put it in it was nice and soft. I said it was very uncomfortable but tolerable. I hate the contractures. He suggested to take out the gel implant and put the tear-drop gummy bear on top of the pec muscle. I just read about a doctor who prefers putting the implant on top of the muscle. I am so afraid of doing the wrong thing. I do not like the idea of a heavy implant. From what I read the gummy-bear is like a tennis ball but heavier. That scares me! I am so confused. I don't want to go through with it and regret the surgery. However if the new gummy-bear implant worked, I would be happy.

Tina, I am not concerned about the sizing. I had a mastectomy 2 years back. I need help from those who have gummy-bear implants...experiences...and if anyone has had it put on top of the pec muscle. Believe me, I read 'breast implant sizing 101' when making a decision to do reconstruction. It has all been a daunting experience, and looking back I would had just done a lumpectomy with rads. I had no idea a implant could be so painful and uncomfortable.

Hindsfeet:  There's a lady on another thread who recently switched from rounds to Allergan 410 anatomicals.  She could offer thoughts I'm sure, but is out of the country for a week.  I'll send her your email.  There are probably others so maybe you could post on the "exchange" thread.

Am I interpreting that you had a single mastectomy?  It's my understanding that the anatomicals work better in trying to match with a remaining natural breast.

I don't think very many docs put the implants on the outside of the muscle w/reconstruction, but I think I read of one somewhere.  Sorry I'm not likely to remember where since I've been on these threads for a couple of years.  However,  I believe you usually see that configuration w/augmentation of normal breast size and not a BC reconstruction.

I had the gummy bear teardrop shaped 425cc and I hated them..just my opinion but they hair weren't what I expected..

As a balance note - I LOVE my Allergan 410 anatomical gummies. 

I just had the Natrelle Gummy Bear tear drop silicone implants put in on 1/31/2014. I had a 410MF, 165cc put on the left side under my flap which had a complication back in 2012 and I lost some fat due to necrosis. It was a very small flap due to the face that I am thin and have small breasts. On my native side I had the Gummy Bear 140cc put under the muscle. Because it is only 3 days after surgery and I am still very sore and swollen it is had to tell if they will be comfortable.

Because they are such small implants, I don't fell they are heavy. When I first looked at my breasts I could not believe how good they look. They feel soft and natural and are warm to the touch. I have to wear a compression bra 24/7 for the next two week until my follow up.

Before surgery, my PS said he was not sure what size he was going to put in, as an implant under a flap, is different than putting it in a mastectomy with a skin pocket.  He had to sit me up in the OR to be certain they would match.  So far so good, hope they remain as nice as they look now.

I will keep you updated on my progress.