Implants removal with no Reconstructions- Scared

I think you're referring to "gummy bears" which supposedly adhere to implant when ruptured.  Still, it's a rupture of a forgeign substance in the body.  I wanted the FREEDOM of movement, vs any cosmetic "enhancement" - nothing cosmetic for me, is as important as HOW GOOD I feel without the implants.

Well, that's not how my Mentor 6 year old silicone cohesive gel implants were when it ruptured, stuff went all over inside the "breast pocket" and has to be washed out EXTENSIVELY with sterile saline syringes - yucky, yucky, yucky!

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here. I decided to go with revision reconstruction and the surgery went fine, I'm loving the new "girls" even though one is squishy and one a little more firm and not so squishy. Lezza insurance did pay for the revision surgery.

Flat13 I hope all goes well with you and you are happy with your choice. Everyone is different and reconstruction is a personal choice.

(((HUGS))) and good wishes to all

Hi Laura,

One thing you can certainly do is have your implants removed (and ask your plastic surgeon to make your chest as smooth and flat as possible), and then live breast-free for a while. Some women who do this find they're just fine and either go flat or wear breast forms or a combination of the two. Other women decide that they want to try another reconstruction option. But you don't have to figure all that out right now. You've been through a lot with all the reconstruction surgeries and you sound as if you really want a break. 

As for how your chest will look, some of that may depend upon whether your rib cage has been compressed by your implants or not. If so, your chest might be a bit concave. But that, and questions about your muscle and skin, should be something you discuss with your PS.

Barbara

Thank you all for your thoughts…..and thanks Liz for your thoughts about self image.  I have always felt pretty good about my self image and never worried much about boobs….I think I would be fine without boobs

My ps said to try to live with the implants for another month and hope that they will settle…he said to wear a breast band to push down on the implant that is so high and to massage with a downward motion whenever possible (watching tv, etc.).

He says that if I have them removed altogether I would most likely be smooth and not concave because I had no chest wall removed and no radiation which causes the most difficulty.

I am at a crossroads….I'm beginning to think that no matter how many adjustments are made the bottom line is 500cc implants are just never going to feel comfortable or natural…….

I tried to explain that my decision has nothing to do with his skills as a plastic surgeon….he is incredibly nice and very good at what he does…I'm just so tired of it all….. 

I looked into fat transfer as an option….and he has recently done it on a patient…so far she is doing well and happy with her results….she also had multiple infections and difficulties with her implants.  He said this may be a consideration for me…..but I'm not even sure I have the commitment for fat transfers…..

I think I'm slipping into a depression about the whole thing….I have been upbeat for 4 years…but now I'm feeling beaten…..

I have started fantasizing about how good it would feel to have these things out of my body.  When I first had my mastectomy I remember looking down and looking at myself in my clothes and I was surprised how natural it felt to me….as I have said I was never large chested so it wasn't such a shock when I saw myself…except of course for all the surgery mess and drains.

So I'm going to think about it for a few more weeks….if things don't begin to shift or there isn't another solution for me I think these implants will be gone this summer. 

Need some positive thoughts…..xox Laura 

Hello jiozogarden, ladies,

Well, after this long journey from june 2013, having a bmx and reconstruction. Having had the expanders in for about 8 months then exchange feb/14. As mentioned in my other posts, it was hell and back. So tight I couldn't breathe. Seriously, whats wrong with these surgeons. I know l am not the only one that has ever complained about tightness, cant they just not stich you up so tight that you cant move. Anyway, l had them removed not even a week later. Yes, l can now breathe, thank God. But, two weeks later l feel tighness around the breast bone and my sides. I can breathe but now it feels like l am wearing a bra. Where and why is this feeling here after removal of the implants.  Will it eventually subside where l dont feel this.  and underneath, bottom where my breast were, (I asked the surgeon to leave the skin hanging and not make anything tight) I also didnt have any lymphnodes removed. Now it feels like after removal of two drains that my breasts feel plump (l have no breasts but that's what it feels like) the fluid, is this what's causing existing tightness?  I turn to my sides, left and right and feel that there is a band of something across my chest, l know its' just over two weeks and l had two surgeries in 10 days but really, when does it get better.

Thank you for listening,

Jenna

Hi Im 55 and had my implants removed 2weeks ago surprise surprise no pain no drains all went well I was nervous also as had numerous surgeries to fix my scarring from my mastectomy. Had implants replaced once but never again too painful at the moment I have some fluid in my chest but this can be drained if it doesn't disappear on its own. I found really comfortable crop tops in Target and wear them and only them have a few different colours. If I had it all to do again I may have opted for construction the same time as mastectomy using stomach tissue but have no regrets am healthy and also had my implants out because I had suspicious lumps which I wanted removed and with having the implants it made diagnosis difficult as inplants can rupture with biopsies. Hope this reassures you also scarring is miminal.

Hi Pumpernickle,

I am 56 and went thought he whole double mastectomy and tissue expander hell last May. Long story short, implants very uncomfortable ALL the time. My PS said nothing remarkable when I saw her last week. The next day I had an appointment with another PS for a second opinion. He looked at my breast with horror and annoyance. He said, not to bad mouth anyone but...he rattled off a whole bunch of things wrong. Basically, they are pulling my muscles down, not installed correctly etc...falling and failing! Geesh - my original surgeon came recommended by the hospital. Do we have to have a medical degree to get through this stuff!!

 He offered to either replace them or do a DIEP (8 hour surgery, 5 days in the hospital!) which sounded like a challenge since I don't have a lot of fat. I still have not recovered fully form my original surgery and tissue expansion procedure. It took a lot out of me. I said stop the madness and just take them out. I don't feel sad about losing the implants. Hated them and they never felt like a replacement for my breasts - even though I had a nipple sparing and skin sparing MX. I am, however, apprehensive about being totally flat with a big scar. I did meet with a woman today who does prosthesis options and that was helpful. I am a person who feels systemic health is more important than having breasts yet I am stylish and like to wear nice clothes etc... How are you feeling about the flatness etc...

Thanks,

Bettyboops

hi farmer Lucy,

I'm having mine out in about 8 weeks. From what I understand, there maybe be some unevenness when implants are removed. Doc said it depends how you heal, how much muscles you have on your chest wall etc...basically, everyone is different. He said from experience, he thinks I will have some concave-ness but predicting how much and where is difficult. I'm not loving that but I think the benefits of not having discomfort with implants will be worth it. Prosthetics can help even things out under clothes and somewhere I read building up the chest muscle helps. I guess if it's a problem, doc said he could liposuction fat and put it in to fill concave spots. That is another operation after you heal. Honestly, I'm scared about the implant removal but  I know I can't live the implants or do a big , giant recon surgery. My only big, recon option is the DIEP flap but I don't have much fat in the abdomen so that means chopping up my buttocks too. Yikes-My body has been through enough.

Best, 

Betty - Sorry I missed your reply. I saw on another post that your surgery is coming up. Fingers crossed for no complications and that you are thrilled with the results. Please let me know how everything goes. I am seriously considering it. Thanks again for the reply.

Lonib07 - Best of luck. Let us know how your appointment goes.

Oh no! When it rains it pours! Thinking of you!

lonib

Yes, I totally understand. You have had more complications than me so I get your frustration. The bottom line for me is that all these complications cant be good for my body. I'm a little ahead of you with the removal process so if you have any questions, fire away. I hate the implants. Mine were not installed correctly and they are falling. I got a new PS and he said they have to come out so that decision was made for me. He would love to put new, better ones in and do a better job but I said no. I feel like I have no pectoral muscle strength. I'm not an athlete but I do like to work out and stay fit- not possible with implants - for me anyway. The other option was DIEP surgery, no way I say. For me that kind of surgery is scary to think about what a toll it must take on your body. I totally understand if you are a young woman and strong- it may be better than having foreign objects installed in your pec muscles. I think for me it is too invasive of a surgery and I think why tear up yet another part of your body? Just my opinion- I know these are all impossible decisions for everyone.

Best,

hi Ariom,

Yes, here is a picture of what I found!

The white one is photographed from the front and the beige one shows the underside where you can see the little pockets for the modesty pads which I have pulled out a little so they show. I'm excited to find these! I will check out Marika too- thanks. I'm so glad that these little sport bras with modesty pads are around! They will be perfect for around the house and beyond. I wear fitted clothes for my work so I'll probably wear a foob of sorts for the office. 

3 days until my surgery! Feeling anxious but in a good way that I just want it over and to move on! I'm feeling a little happy about getting the implants out. Wish it could happen without anesthesia and drains....

Best,

Bettyboops - I found some just like that too. They were great!  Lightweight and soft, and just the right amount of "shape" for me.  I wore them all through radiation, didn't hurt my burned skin.  

Unfortunately after I developed truncal LE I found that those bras (like every other one I've tried) dig in right over the painful spot. Ouch. Bummer.