Has anyone changed their mind after they had the implant?

Hello V, I had a dear friend who was like yourself, uncomfortable and unsure about the implants...she had 2. She eventually gave up trying to get comfortable, and had them removed. She did not regret that decision. She loved being flat after being miserable. I have one implant, I lost the one on my affected side. It became incapsulated, painful. It is gone, I have one. I am good to go!

many women who have those same problems with implants choose to explain and do Natural tissue recon instead. Most if not all get relief with this strategy. Radiated tissue does not do well with implants and they can travel into the armpit, up in the collarbone area, down in the abdomen. Natural tissue recon uses your tummy or butt tissue to form a breast mound and you get a tummy tuck or butt lift too. If you had a skin or nipple sparing mx all the tissue would be transferred into the breast skin. The result is a breast that looks and feels like your natural one. I went with DIEP because the risk of traveling implants was too great. Love the results. Note that not all PSs are qualified to do natural tissue recon and only a PS who does them is qualified to tell you if you are or are not a candidate.

I have exactly the same feeling - like every day I'm wearing a bra that is too tight. I'm 4 years post-reconstruction and have often thought that my implants are too large and that maybe smaller ones might relieve the pressure. But here I am, 4 years later, wishing I had done it sooner. But I just feel like my body has been through enough, and I'm still not sure I'm up for another surgery. Also, I still feel numbness around both breasts that extends into my upper back.

I am 9 months after implant exchange surgery. I am not comfortable. I feel the presence of the implant 24/7. I must wear some type of supportive bra 24/7 and sleep in it too, otherwise it is worse. It is especially heavy and tight in the morning and in the evening. I can't exercise my upper body, PT did not help me with pain. It's cold. It's hard to swim, open the heavy back door of my SUV, just a heavy door, carying a purse. I developed post mastectomy pain syndrome and went to pain clinic, dr said nothing will help me, but he was open to doing some things if I wanted. I did not. I wanted a dr who had hope for me. Did not even put a postmastectomy pain syndrome on my chart, I called and called about it. Nothing. At least a validation that this brilliant new treatment and amazing reconstruction has had a pretty debilitating side effect.

Just feel disabled and sick. I am 42 and I was not sick prior to this. But! everytbody else is so glad I am doing "good" and they can see that because I look like nothing has happened to me (just my world crashed, nothing major). The implant is not for me, it is definitely doing wonders for strangers, for friends, for family members. I would like to have something for me.

I had terrible time with expanders and I was told my PS and another PS that I will feel good with the permanent soft silicone implants. I was not a candidate for over the muscle placement, what they did with my skin, it was not going to be strong enough to support that type of implant. Implant was no my first choice, but the industry is swaying women more to implants, it's an easier surgery for them and for you and reimbursement is 300% vs much lower for autologous. I am still looking in autologous. I am concerned about heart damage during surgery and further brain damage, I got serious chemo brain. I just don't know that a PS is prepared to discuss things like that, vs specific plastic surgery outcomes.

And just in case anyone is wondering, I am super greatful that my treatment has worked and my small kids have a mommy.

Shades: Thank you. I just want to heal and it seems that I am not healing with it.

To those who have gone on with autologous, how many years did it takes from initial surgery to final nipple reconstruction and tattoo and your scars fading to white?. I am figuring it could easily be a few years.

Lula 💛 thank you! I’m trying to get in for several consultations in different cities. People think I’m crazy, but wanting to feel normal and mostly pain free is a huge motivator. Hearing your success stories gives me hope and encouragement.

Lula, thank you for your response. So maybe in 1 year both stages. So then + 3 months for nipple reconstruction + 3-6 months for tattoo. I saw the NOLA website and it sounds good. The pictures from the DIEP after non nipple sparing mastectomy are not a pleasant sight. That would be my situation. That means lots scars for me, but it is so strange that I am seeking physical improvement from a plastic surgery and NOT the look.

Lula, did anybody talk to you about heart damage and decline in cognitive functioning as the result of 5 hrs surgery