Allergan implant removal and exchange surgery! 😱

I had to "redo" my implants from my original surgery (2018) last November because of a neuroma we had to fix and to remove lots of scar tissue. It was so much easier than the first surgery. You aren't under the pressure of a cancer diagnosis with accompanying uncertainty, you are not having an amputation then reconstructive surgery. I was very anxious about this surgery but I am so glad I did it and I hope you have truly wonderful results. Recovery for me the second time around was remarkably easy. My best to you.

bluebird - you and I are in the same boat! I had a “routine” MRI last December and it showed a ruptured right implant. Very surprised. I did have some discomfort on the right side, but nothing alarming.I also have textured Inspiras so my PS suggested removing both sides and starting over with same size smooth Inspira implants and my surgery is currently scheduled for June 8th. I have had multiple surgeries to include implant swaps previously (expander to implant - twice - and then some additional implant swaps due to skin healing issues) and have not had a problem with recovery. I am ten years older than you and those surgeries took place in the six years after diagnosis with the last one in 2016.

bluebird - I too hope it will be my last reconstructive surgery, lol! Same for you! I would love for you to share your experience with your surgery, definitely let me know how things go! It has been a minute since I've needed surgery and I'm trying not to stress about it, but you know how that goes! I'm feeling a bit better about it since I am now fully vaccinated though. I was originally supposed to go in July but there was a cancellation so I was offered the June spot. The timing works better for me as we have some window replacement happening later. My surgeon did indeed mention the continued risk from the biocell implant exterior due to inflammation even though the textured implant(s) are removed, but the risk is pretty minimal. I believe the removal “en bloc" is the desired aspect but that technique is more specialized, I believe. I have come to learn that surgeons often don't mention things they don't routinely do, With en bloc the entire implant and capsule is removed without cutting into the capsule, a capsulectomy is capsule removal without specifically restricting cutting into the capsule itself. Definitely worth discussing ahead of surgery. I have matched your weight gain but will receive the same cc size implants I currently have, that was discussed at the consult. I have had three different size implants over time with a range of 200ccs difference and there is surprisingly little visual difference although I have found the smaller (what I currently have - 445ccs) to be more comfortable. I moved from larger to smaller but for you I would assume there is a limit on too much larger based on what you were expanded to initially. Wishing you the best!

bluebird - oh yay, good to see you checking in - glad you're on the other side of surgery and with a great path report! I also expect to be uncomfortable initially, hope your pain dissipates asap! Will let you know how things go for me, my pre-op is next week, and 6/8 will be here before I know it!

My surgery was yesterday afternoon. Both implants replaced, not sure if my PS did remove the capsule on the right, her comments were relayed to my daughter, my husband had stepped away and missed the doc. I need to ask some questions of my DD today when I see her, but yesterday she did say the implant was severely ruptured and a mess. When I saw her for pre-op she said what she found inside would determine if the capsule needed to be removed. Just before surgery we discussed trying to excise the front of the left side - which had scarred down to the muscle due to repeated skin closure surgeries there. She was able to do that and downsized the implants by 45ccs to accommodate the skin loss. She requested that I stay very quiet because it is a delicate situation there. I am not in any pain on the chest since that area is mostly numb. I have multiple lipo sites and those are sore. I took one pain med last night, but none since. I put on abdominal compression this morning to add a layer so bumping the lipo sites inadvertently isn’t as painful. My initial plastic surgeon made compression mandatory for 8 weeks, my current one leaves it up to the patient. I actually feel better with it. I didn’t wear it last time and had some hardened areas on the abdomen that took quite a while to resolve. I go to my first post-op next Tuesday and will likely get more details and see how things look then.

karody - if your implants are under the muscle it would have to be cut into to access the implant for removal. Removing the capsule is more extensive than that - it means removin the entire scar capsule that was around the implant. I did not have drains but my surgeon warned me she would place them if the situation warranted - it comes down to whether the scope of work done causes the potential for excess serous liquid formation.

Bluebird:

Glad you are doing well. I swapped from the Allergans to Inspiras too, but did that back in November 2019. No rupture here but did due after discussion with my doctor about the recall issues as well as some various issues with comfort, feel, etc.

Recovery for me was very smooth and quick but it was not my first swap and I did not have a rupture like you did either.

Very happy with my switch over! I did go for a couple rounds of fat grafting as I did have a bit more rippling with them then the Allergans.

Keep on that good recovery path

Veronicapoland2

I am three days out from my exchange with fat grafting and the pain is very manageable with Tylenol and Ibuprofen, for me at least. My PS did lipo on my love handles, stomach and back. I was going in to this surgery dreading what I'd feel like after based on what others told me, but so far so good. The pain I feel can be best described as extreme soreness.

I hope this helps you somewhat.