Preventative mastectomy with implant recon

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Brca1-85
Brca1-85 Member Posts: 1
edited April 2018 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hi, I have my preventative double mastectomy booked for the end of the month and I've been looking into what implants to choose as I will need to decide by next week when I go in to order. The thing is as I've been researching and I've come across BII (Breast Implant Illness) and now I'm absolutely terrified... has anyone heard of this or had the same concerns. I had decided on smooth instead of textured surface because of ALCL but now it seems regardless of what I choose I will always have other risks looming over me! 😣😔

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Hi Brca1-85, and thanks for posting.

    You may find some of these resources helpful as you make your decisions:

    Implant reconstruction

    Podcast- Kerry

    Podcast-McGuinness

    Stories

    We are thinking of you as you make this important decision. You may also want to consider posting in the reconstruction forum as well.


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  • SummerSerinity
    SummerSerinity Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    I am "Check 2" positive which with my family and past history gives me a 48% chance of recurrence so I'm having a preventative double mastectomy.  I too want to go straight to implants, but I have a rather large chest and am worried that this is not a good choice.  And then I read about "breast implant illness"  what is that really?  Anyone know.  


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  • SummerSerinity
    SummerSerinity Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    I wish I could help you but it sounds like you are further along in the process than I am.  Let us know what you decided and why.  If you don't mind. 

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  • joy2
    joy2 Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2018

    Hello Brca1-85! good luck on your surgery. I have to a prophylactic mastectomy too so i am looking for option now. I never herd about the implant illness, so thank you for bringing it here. I will check carefully now through that. Please let us know what you'll decide to do and how is going to be after your surgery. I am concerned what kind of implant to use when i will do my breast reconstruction.

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited February 2018

    Hi Ladies,

    I just got on BCO and saw this, so thought I would respond. I had expanders with implants after chemo about 2 and a half years ago. I sort of wish I had had implants put in right after bi mastectomy (same surgery) but did not. Anyway, either way, all went fine and I have never heard of "implant illness". I am a Reach to Recovery Coach and know quite a bit about all this and never heard of that term.


    Lynn

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  • hartygirl
    hartygirl Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2018

    BC survivor over 20 years. Recently learned I was BRCA 1+. Decided to do Prophylactic Bilateral Mastectomy with reconstruction. At first did DTI but right side (cancer side) got infected after 6 weeks and had to be removed. It's been a year and a half out and I've decided to do reconstruction of right side again. I have TE and waiting for last fill (next week) then will have exchange end of month. I worry that my right side will once again reject implant (due to the prior rad I'm sure) so this is a prayer and fingers crossed plan. Also must decide on nipple reconstruction too. Am older so don't know if I should or shouldn't as I know people have problems with these too.

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  • NanTastic
    NanTastic Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    Hello everyone! This is my first post, but I’ve read numerous posts since I found out I was BRCA1 positive, and this site and the discussions have been so very helpful!

    I had bilateral NSM In January with tissue expanders. I had 4 drains (geez those are a pain!). My PS used the air inflated expanders and because I had a good bit of loose skin he started filling them week 1 after surgery, with the initial fill being 100 cc. The next week he added another 100 cc. This was very painful and I had to get my pain pills refilled during this process. After the extenders were filled, things were finally looking up and my surgery for implants was set for April 20th, when my right breast started swelling and was very red and warm to the touch. I called the Dr and they tried to drain fluid to no avail. They prescribed an antibiotic but I had no fever, just the redness and heat in my right breast. 2 days later on Easter Sunday, a small blister appeared and after I got my shower, it opened near the mastectomy incision and it started draining so much I had to lean over the sink. It did this twice before I called the answering service to page my PS. This completely freaked me out. He called me back and told me to prepare for surgery the next day. So that’s where I am currently- right expander removed and drain and stitches removed yesterday. Left expander is fine. I will have to wait at least 6 weeks for PS to put in a new expander and do the whole thing again. Then it will be at least 2 months before he will put in implants. I am so very disappointed! Has anyone else had to remove an expander and start over??

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  • NanTastic
    NanTastic Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2018

    How are you since your surgery? My bilateral mastectomy was in January also.

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