Follow Up Appointments after Reconstruction Completion

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Staple
Staple Member Posts: 35
edited October 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I've declared my reconstruction done until the tattoo and saw my plastic surgeon.   I asked how would I know if they were broken or needed replacing.  He said I likely won't but if something doesn't ever feel or look right or if I just want more fat grafting I can come back.  Since I was 46 at the time of implant installation, my assumption was I would need these replaced in my lifetime.  I am still seeing my breast surgeon about the cancer once a year, but I thought I would have some follow up schedule regarding the reconstruction also.  Is anyone else basically done and still sees their plastic surgeon?   

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2014

    Mine does an annual although I am not there yet as I am still in the throes of recon issues. I am no longer seeing my BS, as last time I was handed off to a resident so I figured it was not necessary if I was still seeing my MO twice a year and the PS seemingly about once a week, lol! Most implants come with a 10-year warranty - I have seen posts that indicate that they need to be replaced every ten years - which is untrue, but if they are replaced within ten years from the exchange date the manufacturer has some financial obligation.  After ten years they do not, so I think that gets confused.  I have not had an MRI, nor has anyone discussed having one, but I would want one within that 10 year time frame to see if replacement was needed so that it fell within the warranty period.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited October 2014

    I had a DIEP so no need for eventual replacement, but both my BS and PS followed up with me for 5 years. 

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited October 2014

    After two years my BS has released me and said if I notice anything concerning give him a call. I will see my MO in January and she what he says, this is a new Dr. I will see because my pervious Dr. left the cancer center. As for my PS, his nurse said I will see him once a year for life. No mention yet about MRI, but it has only been 2 years.

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  • Staple
    Staple Member Posts: 35
    edited October 2014

    Thank you for your responses.  Maybe my PS just doesn't like me!  I will ask my BS about this next time I see him. 

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

    I never saw my BS again after my BMX.

    I saw my PS regularly through fills and Exchange, and then for six months as I had some complications. When he determined that they WEREN'T from the implants, he said I didn't need to come back and see him at all, unless I had a problem with my implants. ( I have salines... if one springs a leak, I'll know pretty quickly!)

    I saw my MO every three months for the first year, for follow up exams and monitoring of my AI dosage.

    At the 2 year mark, I saw her every six months.

    Now I'm 3 years out, and I only need a manual exam every year. Don't need the MO any more, as I stopped the AIs. She says I can go see the BS (a new one, since original doc retired) or to my OB/GYN, along with self-checks.

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  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited October 2014

    My PS told me that "technically" they wouldn't need to be replaced if there wasn't a need. He said the studies go out 18 years. Also that the implants themselves were free (through insurance I imagine but not sure) due to the fact that they are considered a prosthetic device. I assume this has to do with the laws governing the reconstructive surgery. No mention of follow up MRI's though I agree one every ten years is prob a good idea to rule out a micro-rupture.

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