Anyone have their implants removed due to pain?

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Lonib07
Lonib07 Member Posts: 60
edited June 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

Has anyone had their implants removed because of pain?

I've had my silicone implants for three years (March 2011) after having a double mastectomy (May 2010) and I still suffer with pain.  99.9% of the time I can't wear a bra because it hurts so bad.  I get sharp pains on both sides and sharp pains in my left arm pit.  The pain is driving me crazy and I've been contemplating having the implants removed.  I have an appointment to see my doctor June 13th.  I was infected with E-coli during my mastectomies and had to have the right TE removed for three months.  I never finished nipple reconstruction due to complications.  Very Frustrated!!!

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  • Lburwell
    Lburwell Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2014

    I have had the same thing it feels like i am wearing a barbed wire bra at all times even with no bra on. I had 16 surgeries due to complications with the reconstructive part and they took muscles from my back and brought the forward. I am so sorry you are going through this as I have pain always the only thing that works is meds. I wish there was another way but I am told this is it and I have no way to make it better. I want the implants under the muscles taken out but they advice against it. if you have found anyone that taking them out work for please share as I want to re address this again with my doc..

  • Lonib07
    Lonib07 Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2014

    Lburwell.  I'm so sorry you are having pain too and had to have 16 surgeries.  It's really a shame that they say there is no way to make it better for you.  Why do they advise you against taking the implants out?  I haven't taken any meds for the pain because I hate taking meds.  I just suffer through the pain but don't know how much longer I'll be able to do that.  Hopefully, someone will post that has had them taken out and can give us some advice.

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited May 2014

    I don't have experience with implants,but I had to have my TEs removed due to severe pain,meds did nothing to relieve it.There are plenty of women here who have had implants removed.....some have decided to stay flat,some have had flap surgery,others have had fat grafting.Check out the NOLA,Charleston and Fat Grafting threads. Good luck!!

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited May 2014

    Lonib07 - I am so sorry you are going through this pain.

    I didn't have my implants removed, but I came close. At Exchange, I NEVER felt that "ahhhhhh" feeling that most women get. I was in severe pain from that Iron Bra feeling, or even worse, the hot steel bear trap closed around my chest.

    Here is want helped me: I tried physical therapy, and the therapist was useless. So I sought out help on my own. I found an absolutely awesome Myofascial Release Massage therapist who discovered I had tons of fibrosis (built-up scar tissue) and excruciatingly tight fascia all over my chest.

    It took some work, but as soon as she loosened that fascia, released the scar tissue, and worked out those muscle bundles, I felt like I could stand up straight for the first time in a year.

    Yes, removing implants is always a possibility, and for some women, a necessary step in the road to recovery.

    But I wanted to try something non-invasive first. You might give it a try. Fortunately, my MFR massage therapist is also a Certified Lymphedema Specialist, and the majority of her clients are women who have had  breast cancer. She has magic fingers, as far as I'm concerned. 

    Hope you find relief; wishing you the best...

  • Lonib07
    Lonib07 Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2014

    Thank You Pandazankar & Blessings2011.  I'm for sure I want to have the implants removed.  Just tired of the whole ordeal.  I'm also having surgery June 3rd to remove a 5cm mass near my ovaries as well as my ovaries.  Hopefully, the biopsy will conclude the mass is benign.

  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited May 2014

    Wishing you the best and will be thinking of you!

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