Thinking about removing implants ??

cookie54 · July 2020

So here's the deal ,I had a bmx 2016 with placement of Mentor implants that now may cause ALCL. I was just diagnosed recently with a recurrence of cancer in my axilla and chest wall ,currently on chemo. I am meeting with breast surgeon and possibly plasctic surgeon in September to discuss ALND and I will also need radiation. I am really thinking about removing my implants because I don't want to potentially deal with another illness down the road.

Was wondering if anyone has been through this type of surgery? If so how do you feel about being flat now?

Thanks ladies.

MinusTwo · July 2020

cookie - Sorry you have to deal with BC again. There are lots of threads that discuss going flat. You can find them though the 'search' option on the left of the screen.

Nola70115 · February 2021

Cookie I'm in a similar situation as you were and I'd love to hear what you decided to do and how you came to the decision. I'm feeling tired of the discomfort of implants but don't know how I'll feel about going flat.

cookie54 · February 2021

Hi Nola, So here is the update since July when I was deciding what to do with the implants. After research which included looking at many pics of flat reconstruction I decided at this time it was not for me. So for several reasons: 1. I read that the Mentor implants were only about 7% responsible for ALCL. Allergan has a higher number of cases. 2. I was not mentally prepared for the permanency of the surgery. 3. If I decided for surgery it would have delayed my ALND as the plastic surgeon could not accommodate the same date as my breast surgeon.

Honestly it has been a very long road since I started this process again in June. I had several setbacks with chemo and then was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October., another surgery! I am still marching on as I just started taking Xeloda last week since I was not NED at ALND surgery.

So that is the long story short. However as much as I am tired of having surgery if information surfaces that my implants are more of a threat I will remove them. At this point I don't love having implants at all, cold, tight and at times restrictive. So once things settle down a bit down the road I will address my implant options again. I don't know if my rationale helps you decide as these are very tough decisions! Have you gone on flat closure to read about it and see pics? If not, I would definitely advise that. Do you have mentor implants? Is the main reason because of discomfort?

Be well, take care.

Cookie

Nola70115 · February 2021

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I have allergan implants, but they are not one of the models under recall. They are uncomfortable, and I'm looking at surgery for a recurrence and wondering what the doctors will want to do with me, especially if I need radiation. I'd kind of like to be rid of the implants but I don't think the options are much better. They just ALWAYS feel tight and achy. I wish I could not have to think about my boobs for one damned day of my life.

cookie54 · February 2021

Ok well glad to hear at least you don't have the recalls! I am sorry to hear you are dealing with a recurrence. Well I completed my radiation recently and so far so good with the implants. They did warn me of possible implant migration and hardening from the radiation. I'm not celebrating just yet as it can happen down the line. At this point I am just trying to put out one fire at a time. Oh how I so agree with you as many others here, I am soooooo tired of thinking about my boobs every day too! Best of luck to you.

Nola70115 · February 2021

thank you, cookie. Did they do radiation through your implants or do they have a way to do it from the side so the implants aren’t in the way? I’m more scared of radiation than I was of chemo, but I know I don’t want to do chemo again if I don’t have to

MinusTwo · February 2021

I had radiation with implants when I had a recurrence 2 years after my original BC. No problems. In fact my BS was able to do my ALND surgery w/no damage to the implants. But yes, you have to stretch every day for the rest of your life (implants or not) so the radiated tissue doesn't pull back like a rubber band.

cookie54 · February 2021

Your welcome! Well I had radiation to axilla, chest wall and supraclavicular area so no avoiding implants with chest wall radiation. Having implants in place will not interfere or be in the way. The closer the beam is directed in the area of implant the higher the risk of implant issue. But as Minus Two said it's a job to keep everything stretched with daily exercises. Once you get started with radiation as it goes along the easier it gets. The initial appointment when the have to plan your treatments is the longest usually an hour. After that your daily treatment you are in and out in a couple minutes. Yea believe me I wasn't thrilled to go through chemo again, who is.. right? We all do what we need to do to fight this crap! Hang in there one day, one step at a time.

msphil · February 2021

hello all i found my lump in shower and was diagnosed with idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married fiance and i were planning our 2nd marriages. Had expander implanted with one filling when i developed high fever rushed to E R. Taken out and decided to wear a prothesis no problems. After wedding 7 wks rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen. Praise God im this yr going into 27 yr Survivor Praise God.

Thinking about removing implants ??

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