Breast Implant Removal: Forum
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Anxiety and depression

By coulditbe on 11 Jan 2013

I had my implants placed 03 April 2012.  I never slept comfortable after having implants.  From 5 months I started having severe panic attacs and insomnia.  Due to the fact that I am not sleeping I have now been diagnosed with depression.  My implants do not have complications.  Phycologically I am aware of them 24 hours a day and I loved sleeping on my tummy.  I want to know if anyone has had severe axiety and insomnia after implants and symptoms got better after explant. I am terrified of going for an operation again, but at the same time want them out if they are causing my symptoms. I am by nature someone who worries about things, but had never in my life been so anxious.  I was normally able to sleep easily, never even knew what insomnia was like.  Please advise if anyone's symptoms improved after explant and did you need any further treatment after?

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I had them removed in April 2013 and was able to sleep through the night. Subconsciously they played a big role in my anxiety attacks. After I had them removed I was only left with depression. I am seeing a therapist to help me cope with my marriage wich have started to fall apart since my panic attacks. I think the fact that I could not sleep comfortably made me depressed and being constantly worried about future complications and replacements made me anxious. Before the operation I thought it would not be that bad to replace them every 15 years. I think the actual pain of the op and lack of sleep made me too anxious for future replacements. The removal was uneventful. I took no pain medication and was able to return to work the next day. In my opinion, if you want your implants out - get them out. I feel I can now focus on my other issues better without also worrying about silicone bags.
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Yes , I had anxiety with my implants after I removed them just little depression , I feel so much better without them :)
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I had severe anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks when I had the implants in. I had mine removed just a week ago and have slept through the night, no panic attacks, and so happy to have the bags out of my body. I also experienced high blood pressure due to my heightened state of anxiety. It was a nightmare. I think back on my experience and get a bit freaked out by it all. I hope your symptoms subsidies. Best of luck to you.
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Hi. Thanks for your response. How long did u have implants in? Did u have any other issues?
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I've also have anxiety because of my implants. I got Saline implants 2005 I was fine up until 7/2011 n now I am also sick. The worst of my symptoms are anxiety and panic n heart palpations.
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Please keep us posted! I just had them put in 6 days ago, and I'm already feeling anxiety and depression. It's not because of how they look. I think they already look decent and the major pain is gone. I think it's partly because deep down I'm worried they will have repercussions on my health, and I want to be 100% there for my 6 year old autistic son, who is an only child.
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I got my silicone gel implants in 2006. Ever since, I have experienced panic attacks that has gotten worse in time. I had never had them prior to the surgery. The procedure and recovery were fine and I have never had anything traumatic happen in my life. This wasn’t my first surgery (just my only breast surgery) Now I have had it with these panic attacks that seem to rule my life whether I want them to or not (I obviously cant control them) I am getting consults to have them removed and hoping that the panic attacks disappear with the implants. What I am most nervous about is prepping for surgery that day. A trigger of mine is when I feel trapped. I’m trying to figure out how to get through the surgery prep without flipping out
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I had panic attacks as well. It started a few months after I had my breast implants. I refused to believe my plants were the cause but now, 13 years later, I am very very sick and all of the symptoms to my illness (diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, raynauds phenominum, nerve problems, and so much more) lead to the plants . They are being removed.
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Hi. I also have panic n anxiety attacks. They are horrible. They started 7/2011 I didn't know what was happening to me. Then I started to just not feel well tired, headaches insomnia lost 35lbs no appetite sensitivity to Alchol and meds . I finally figured it was my implants it has to be. Like you I haven't taken them out yet bcuz I fear surgery to the point it sends me into a panic attack really bad. I'm scared of not waking up or something not going right. I talk to alot of other women who has helped me so much to try n get the strength to do it. I'm hoping by June. I'm sorry you are going through this. I know how you feel. I keep Telling myself ill be ok n once I get this things out of me I can start living again. This past year n a half have been a nightmare. You'll be ok just try to think about how much healthier you'll be once they are out.
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Thats horrible! I hope you get them out soon so you can get back to feeling better. I have my surgery on Tuesday :-)
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I'm really glad to know that I am not alone. I had three consults before chosing a doctor and none of them seemed to think the implants or panic attacks were linked. I have my surgery on Tuesday. I admit I am a bit nervous but I spoke to my anesthesiologist today and I am totally allowed to take Xanax 2 hours prior to surgery. I was most nervous about not being able to take anything to calm my nerves while they stick me with needles. I am hoping everything goes smoothly. My anesthesiologist is completely aware of my panic attacks and that helps me relax more. I'm sure there is something he can do if I need something else to settle down. I hope that you will be able to face your fears soon. If you find a caring team of doctors I'm sure it will go smoothly. Just remember how life was before implants. I keep telling myself that and its helping :-)
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I felt the same way like you . The Ps told that implant doesn't. Have anything to do with my nerve,problems now I without them I just feel free and happy just like I have another chance in life.
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Hi, had the same feeling of not awake again but they removed mines undr Local anesthesia and IV sedation you can be totally aware.
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Breen1k76, I felt exactly like you. My implants made me panic to a state where I had constant heart palpetations. I was too scared of surgery again. I became so desperate to feel better. Dr put me on antidepressants wich helps with the attacks, but every time I just started to plan the op I would freak out. I decided it is better to have them removed now while there is no capsule. He did it under local. The tucking is a bit weared, but not at all as scary as I thought. It was the best thing for me.
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Are there other events going on in your life that could explain the anxiety and insomnia? Are you seeing a counselor about it? It could be related to many things, implants included.
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Hi, I feel better already. I feel like my body was always fighting them and now it is just such a relief to have them out. I feel like my anxiety is more organic than emotional. I feel like it is a CNS reaction and that I have a screwed up CNS. But I feel like my CNS is already happier with the implants out.....
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that's great! i hope you continue to feel better :)
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chasers you have given me hope!!!
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oh and I forgot to mention...never have really liked my implants , they never were me ...they real me, they are coming out in a few weeks. Maybe if you remove yours , it can be the start to getting to the core of things. You can start to be free ...remove them..then get even freeer and happier while working on you! God Bless!
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Hello! I just found your post and felt I had a story to share.... Here is my story and maybe it will help, I sure hope it can. After my BA in 1989 I was around 25 yRS old, shortly after this, I started to experience anxiety and panic attacks ...ended up on Meds for 1 year for relief while I was committed to finding out the reasons behind it. I can tell you this..to worry is not good for you, it is not good to live our only lives in fear...and almost all anxiety comes from fear and unresolved issues, ones we sometimes don't even know about because we have stuffed the pain down deep inside enough where we cannot go to a place that makes us feel MORE pain ...so we stuff it and eventually it comes out in the body, disguised as aches, pains, insomnia, and major anxiety. I am now 50 years old and I can say that getting implants is not the CAUSE ...but part of the reaction to deeper esteem issues. After lots of focused work on my self, a year of theraphy , (I was a complete worry wort!!) I became aware of how I was causing this anxiety for myself....YOU CAN get help and I recommend it, I have been anxiety free for over 15 years no panic, nothing BECAUSE I have learned how to think differently about life and daily living, trust me it works! OK, Back to your implants...yes get them out they only will add to the problems and you will not regret it. I believe they do not cause it...part are definately part of the issues. Wishing you well!
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Toomakeup, Did you ever get the implants removed?
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I'm glad you posted here. I hope some ladies come by and give you support and information about their states of mind pre-explantation. Hang in there! One way or another it will get better.

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I started having anxiety after saline implants. Never had a nevous thought before them. I'm getting they out tomorrow and will let you know if it helps :)
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