IMPLANTS REMOVED: YAY!

Hi Bettyboops...its now a couple years since you de-constructed....Are you still happy with the outcome? I was miserable with my expanders and often thought of deconstructing. I hated my first implants....At the second fix, I had the PS put in smaller implants, the smallest he could. I went from 300cc high profile to 200cc mid profile. This set of implants were put in July 2008, so going on 8 years ago. They are okay. In clothes I look like a small chested women, but naked, well that's a different story...they look like hamburger buns on my chest!! For a long time, I've said when the implants have run their course, I will have them taken out and go flat. Still think that way, but now thinking again about de-constructing. I haven't seen my PS since September 2009 as I quit going to him. Didn't see a purpose in one more doctor visit. The only doctor I see is my medical oncologist. He does a "breast" exam at each visit which is still every 6 months. I wonder if he would be able to tell if there was a problem with the implant. The only thing keeping me from doing it now is that I don't want to go through surgery. I had 8 surgeries in 2 years from diagnosis in 2006 to 2008. When I was done, I said no more surgeries that aren't life and death!! If and when I do de-construct, I plan to go flat....I have no desire to wear a bra or a prosthesis.

I only read the 1st page and some of this last page....so other gals who have de-constructed, please share your experience post de-construction. Thanks so much

Although I did not have recon, I do believe that everyone should make up their own mind. I don't believe that doctors tell everyone the truth concerning the recon. Many women do not know that they will need to have them replaced or that they will not have sensation. Just sad.

I just talked to a plastic surgeon who was taking care of my husband. She stated that if she has breast cancer that she will not choose to have recon.

karen1956

Even though I am still healing from the expander removal, it feels really good not to have that thing inside of me.

After 8 surgeries, I can understand not wanting more! You and I have the same staging and type of cancer. Were all those surgeries related to this?

I only had the expander removed, not actual implants. Given the length of time you've had them, you surgery will probably be more in-depth. When you are ready, I hope you have loads of help so that your healing happens as it should. And...you find a great plastic surgeon.

Your writing seems to indicate that it's something you'd really like to do for yourself.

~gardengypsy

Thank you all for this thread!!!!!! Just love all of you.

I decided to have my implants OUT OUT OUT.

I am not looking forward to being flat, but more to being cancer free...what ever it takes.

I had my implants put in in 1988...I was so little that a B cup implant was perfect for me. Fast forward to 2014....

BC reared it ugly head. After all the scans you can imagine and an inconclusive biopsy I decided to have a bi lat MX. I opted to keep my old implants and my nips. December2015 I had a recurrence in the BC boob in the nipple so had THAT tumor out. NOW I have another recurrence near the same spot in the nipple.

Today, after speaking with my BS iam going flat...getting rid of EVERYTHING.

I cant wait, no more pain no more worries. BS said I would be FREE. oh my free of this scourge.

After reading your posts I am encouraged I am making the right decision. I wont deny that this is very difficult but I will come out on the other side, once again, and move on.

Thanks ladies

Eve

Hi gardengypsy,

Love your handle, I too love to garden. Good for the soul.

I originally ended up with 6 tumors all IDC. akk!

I wanted to try and keep my nips and the old implants but things just didn't work out. The implants have ruptured but only in the last couple of years. Interesting the the PS say you have to have them replaced every 8 to 10 years??? money money money.

I am 60 and don't really care if I have boobs or not...maybe a bit but not enough to stay on this merry go round. Hubby doesn't care, he's a rear end guy, lol so here we go. I am looking forward to being out of constant pain.

Question..did you all have drains? Did you have the surgery as an out-patient? I know my BS will have to sew the muscles back together, what was rehab like?

Thanks again

Eve

Thank you all for this thread!!! My mastectomy and implants were done in 2012 after DCIS in each breast-7 years apart. One year later I was diagnosed stage 4. So, I've been busy with that. But, I hated my implants from the beginning. I think it's time to take off my "tight little saddle" as I've always called it. Going to bring it up on my next MO visit.

Does it always have to be done by a PS or can my general surgeon do it? I liked him much better!!

Again, thank you for this thread. I'm so glad to hear of so many people who are happy they did it.

Hi hsant. Nice to see you on this board. I'm sure I won't regret being flat. Wish I had picked it initially.

Just want to be sure there are not complications I'm not aware of now.

Just fyi, I had bilateral mast after having a lumpectomy and rads. No regrets! My surgeon has not spoken to me since I had the bmx. The surgeons "sell" the recon.

I go for my explant and total flatness on The 16th. I am torn about it but in the end it is what is best.

I think the decision to have your breast surgeon or a plastic surgeon should be based on your previous experience. I totally trust my breast surgeon...who is a general surgeon that specializes in breast issues. She is THE BEST...I trust her. She did say to me if I wanted new implants, going the route of tissue expanders etc, that I would need a plastic surgeon on board.....Not gonna happen. I am looking forward to feeling real albeit flat.

best wishes to everyone,

Eve

Kaption,

so interesting you are having RADS twice? I thought you could only have it done once.

My BS told me that she thought that my old implants may have blocked the cancer from invading my chest wall. Heh! well allrighty then.

So, had my pre-op blood tests and ekg today. Love my hospital, I was in and out in 20 minutes.Getting ready to head for the other side again.

So what do you flat ladies wear? I live in Florida, so sweaters are out except for about three weeks in January.

I am 60 yo. Not really into fluffy stuff but looking at highly patterned tops. ????

Peace

Eve

thanks all

So another question.......among many

I have surgery on Friday the 16th.

My BS's nurse told me to expect something similar to my BMX. including drains...yuk.

An over night stay and same recovery. Ok fine.

Is that what you all experienced?

Tonight is my MAD, sad, scared, wanting to back out night. Just having a pity party. I am a really strong person but just want to cry over losing my boobs...sad

E

I'll be sure and let you know my experience.

Hubs brought me red roses tonight. He knows. So sweet.

All I know is I'll be ok. Just letting myself explore my feelings. helps to get the bad out in order to let the good in.

All will be well.

Love

Eve

Hi Ladies. Really glad I found this thread. I am contemplating having my implants removed. I had a bilateral mastectomy in October 2015 (second breast cancer diagnosis) and had exchange surgery in February 2016. Because I had radiation on my left breast back in 1998 with first diagnosis, I had the lat flap surgery also. I have never felt comfortable with the implants and still have a lot of tightness and sometimes pain. After researching more about implants and the problems they can create the longer you have them, I want them out. I don't think my current plastic surgeon would agree with me about this so I am researching other plastic surgeons in my area. I wanted to know if any of you all also had lat flap surgery because I'm not sure how this would work with breast explantation. TIA.

Eve, you have every right to have as many pity parties as you deem fit. How nice that your DH brought home roses!

I like wearing little tops and sundresses that are cut low in the back. I also like halter tops and dresses. I don't try and camouflage my flatness, but I don't go out of my way to emphasize it either.

Prayers out to you for an easy surgery and an easy breezy recovery!