Fear of breast implant illness is making me rethink implants.

Fryda
Fryda Member Posts: 11
edited December 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

Hi all, my short bio:

precancer in left.(ADH approaching DCIS) --> bilateral mastectomy --> immediate reconstruction via prepectoral expanders in AlloDerm dermal matrix --> 3 months post-op as of this date, 250ccs tissue expanders

My plan has been for saline implants and fat grafting at 250cc, however reading about breast implant illness is disheartening and giving me tremendous anxiety. I was curious to hear from women who've had my exact reconstruction path, and how long it's been for them. Any side effects?

It helps a bit to know that the majority of breast implant illness results from silicone implants, even moreso from textured silicone implants. However even saline implant bags are made from silicone, and there's no telling how severe your autoimmune response to that medical device might be. I know the dermal matrix acts as an enclosure, but can it have any positive effects to prevent breast implant illness from developing?

As of right now I'm heavily considering telling my plastic surgeon that I want to change direction and go for strictly fat grafting, which may work for me since my desired size is only 250ccs. Any shared experiences would be deeply appreciated, thank you.

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  • Hugrosk
    Hugrosk Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2018

    Not sure if this is to late, but. I underwent bilateral reconstruction two years ago this November. I had expanders and then textured implants, nipple reconstruction and tattooing. This past April I started not feeling well. 6 months later I am unable to exercise or use my arms without pain. If I do too much, I spend days not able to do anything. Yes, I believe I have breast implant illness. Over the months I have been to so many doctors and had so many tests, all negative. I have hasimotos thyroid and my level went from a normal 4 to 97. Why ? Who knows. I am undergoing Diep flap this next week, and having these awful implants removed. As a look back, I am so mad at myself for not doing the research. At the time I was so concerned over the cancer, that I just did what I was told and believed it was my best choice. I never heard of diep before a few months ago.Here I had this horrible cancer removed to have toxic implants put in. It makes me so distrustful of doctors who claim they are safe.

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  • Fryda
    Fryda Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2018

    Oof thanks for replying, currently I'm having a fungal skin infection over both expanders. I'm only 4 months post-op and I've already two infections, hospitalized once for 4 days. Over it. The internet convinced me, I'm switching to fat grafting only.

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited December 2018

    Hi,

    Glad I found posting. Hoping to find more.

    Had BMX in April with expanders. My 1st BC 13 years ago had right breast radiated. That breast is now being problematic with redness and an infection.

    The left breast most recently radiated is fine. Still expanded. Right breast deflated because it was in the way of the radiation to left breast.

    Surgeon recommending and I agree with removal of both expanders at this point. I can't stay lopsided forever, I just can't.

    She may be able to do reconstruction with leg skin.

    I'm so over this!

    J~

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  • MoonGirlJess
    MoonGirlJess Member Posts: 267
    edited December 2018
    I had implants prior to my diagnosis. I had them in about 10 years ago and in hindsight I developed some symptoms of BE syndrome. I also developed Hashimotos Thyroiditis 5 years ago. So tired and brain fogged. My mammograms were ‘heterogenously dense’ but I was 41 so that’s not a surprise (3D mammo 3 months prior to diagnosis and my breast looked mangled). Radiologist blew that one and I was very verbal in my concerns about my left breast to the mammogram tech. My left breast was distorted and my nipple inverted and gynecologist said ‘it was just me.’ I read that implants can cause cancer in the breast implant syndrome circles. I’m not sure but I had zero family history, I am not a genetic carrier of any mutations so possibly my CA was related to my implants. Idk. Unfortunately, I had my implants out and my BC diagnosis was 2 days later (thank god for my amazing PS who saw my boob was a mess and biopsied my tumors that became glaringly evident as soon as the implants came out.) I can’t tell you if I feel better with them out or not because now I’m on this BC ride but from what I read you can feel better within days and up to a year after getting them out.

    I’m half flat now and not a candidate for any flap due to my body size so I will get the right mastectomy after rads and be flat. Hubby thinks I will eventually want a recon but I have zero options so unless they invent something new I’m done with boobs.
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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited December 2018

    Hey Moon,

    I'm going either totally flat or expanded/replaced. If my R breast doesn't respond and recuperate from the current issue of infection then I guess I'm going flat as I have not enough body fat for grafting. I could do the leg skin/muscle grafting but why? For what end result? I'm 58. Like I have sex anymore? No hormones, no desire.


    J~

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