Please reassure me about implants

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rokel
rokel Member Posts: 40
edited August 2017 in Breast Reconstruction

I am having surgery in two weeks. Unilateral mastectomy with over-the-pectoral, direct-to-implant reconstruction plus I will have to have a small implant in the non-cancerous breast for symmetry. I really wanted to do DIEP, but I don't want the scarring and I have two small children and don't want the long recovery. I'm trying to make my peace with this decision.

My main concern, besides the cancer, is breast implant illness. For the past two years I've struggled with thyroid issues and strange food intolerances and vitamin deficiencies. When I read about BII, it seemed like I already have it! A lot of people in the BII group were talking about MTHFR mutations and increasing vitamin D and B12. It's the same stuff I've been reading and thinking about with my thyroid disease!

I realize I am only getting the stories of people who had problems with breast implants. Probably most people are fine with them and aren't posting on any group. I would love to hear from people who are happy with their implants or if anyone can reassure me about BII it would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited August 2017

    I am happy with my implants per se, just not the style, which will be remedied soon enough. My worry was with my ability to tolerate them as well, as I have an autoimmune disease and am immune suppressed with meds to control that.

    I've had no problems so far, with either healing or tolerating the implants. Your plan sounds like a good one, and I hope you can make peace with it.

    Gene testing for MTHFR is easily done and supplements easy to add. Have you checked into that?

  • rokel
    rokel Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2017

    Yes I am compound hetereozygous for MTHFR

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited August 2017

    6 years of living with my implants. No problems at all and I had not heard of breast implant illness until I read your post. Good luck to you

  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited August 2017

    I've had my implant for 14 years and have had 0 problems. :)

    (edited for spelling)

  • PNWBCHgirl
    PNWBCHgirl Member Posts: 115
    edited August 2017

    my right side is a ped tram flap and my left is a silicone implant both have done well for me.

  • LettyF
    LettyF Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2017

    I went for a fill yesterday and the PS suspects my left tissue expander is leaking as last time he put 100ccs in the left and stopped at 70 for the right because it looked so much bigger (and that was the cancerous breast). Anyway, he didn't add any saline to the right yesterday but put 180ccs in the left and measured/took pictures and I go back Friday to have it checked. If its a slow leak he said we can just do a couple more aggressive fills and get me in right away for surgery but if its a fast leak the expander will have to be replaced. His initial plan was to expand me to about 825ccs and place 800cc memory gel implants. I'm 5'5' and weigh 147 with a fairly wide chest. I originally wore a 34C and had hoped to get back there or a little larger. Now, if the leak isn't bad and we can push through this quickly he says he'll have to change his plans and go with the 685cc anatomical "gummy bear" implant to get the projection I was hoping for as 685ccs may be realistically reached since I'm already at 570ccs in the right. My question is, does anyone have the shaped implants and are you happy with them. I just want the surgeries to be over with...

    Thank you all for reading. I'll watch for your responses.

  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited August 2017

    Well, I have anatomicals and find them wide and flat. I'm switching to smooth round extra projection next month.

    Hope your leak is slooooooow so you can complete the plan without having to make rushed decisions.

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