Possible Rupture--Swap to Saline???

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PinkChic07
PinkChic07 Member Posts: 71
edited February 2021 in Breast Reconstruction

I am almost 13 years out with implants being 12 years old. Had a recent MRI that can't exclude possible intracapsular rupture of left implant. Surgeon gave me choices. Wait and observe. Take out silicone and replace both with saline. Take out and do nothing. Well, the third option is out of the question, and I am not a candidate for a flap procedure. I'm considering switching to saline, but would like to hear from other recon ladies who have saline. Are you happy? What brand do you have? Rippling? Are they heavy? Natural looking? I am so torn as to what to do. I've only had silicone so I really don't know what to compare to. Any help would be thoroughly appreciated!

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited February 2020

    Sorry that you have a possible implant integrity issue. Unfortunately it happens - implants are not expected to last forever. What about the option of swapping out for a new silicone implant? That's usually what's done in this type of situation. Lots of women on this site have done that but I don't think many have swapped out silicone for saline.

    It will be interesting to see what responses you get. I don't think many women have saline implants, even from the start.

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited February 2020

    Yes, a new silicone would be the most reliable way to go. The only advantage to saline would be you would immediately know it ruptured because you would go flat. Also, the cohesive silicones of today make a rupture pretty much a non-issue.

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  • PinkChic07
    PinkChic07 Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2020

    That was also an option to replace one. The whole reason I had an mri was that I was having pressure pain on the right one. So essentially I’m have issues with both. I think that’s where my ps was coming from when he offered saline as an alternative. 

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    Pink - it was my impression that cohesive gel silicone implants can last a long time, but may not last more than 10 years. As Beesie & VegGal mentioned, with the cohesive gel, there's not really a problem with the silicone spreading throughout your body. I agree - why not get replacement (s) - one or both - with silicone?

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  • PinkChic07
    PinkChic07 Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2021

    well, here I am again this year. I do have a rupture in my left implant. It is intracapsular, meaning the silicone is between the implant and the capsule. I will be swapping both for saline to feel a bit safer if they rupture again. I currently have cohesive gel but the silicone can still leach out and cause hard lumps that would then most likely require biopsy with my breast cancer history. It may not be what others would do but for me, I feel like it’s right. On another note, is the picture forum with TimTam still up and running? It’s been a while since I’ve been in but i last time I tried to log on my login info did not work.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2021

    It's my understanding that the picture forum is gone w/no way to retrieve,

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  • PinkChic07
    PinkChic07 Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2021

    Sorr to hear this. It was such a help and source of information when we needed it.

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