Removing or replacing breast implants

I have a similar experience to you, Gramma. 30 yrs. ago I had silicone implants with a saline exterior. 6 yrs. ago I had them replaced with the same. They had hardened so much. They were also ruptured. The surgeon worked hard at convincing me getting new implants was the answer when my first resolve was to be free of implants forever. After one yr. the implants hardened again. This time he suggested going under the muscle. They hardened again. 2 mths. ago I had them finally removed. One was ruptured, one was not. Different surgeon. The surgeon misdiagnosed a skin irritation for shingles when I was complaining about more pain in one breast then the other (not the breast that had had the ruptured implant). While I was being treated for shingles an infection raged on. The infection after 3 wks is cleared up but the breast is quite deformed. The surgeon made an incision into the lower part of the aerola for drainage when she finally started treating me for an infection. Today I started ultra sound on the deformed breast. I think she called it edema. There is a lot of swelling on the upper part of the breast causing the nipple to tuck into and disappear into the chest. Pretty awful. I'd like to sign up for that poster child contest on convincing women to never get implants!

Side note: I was a topless dancer and a single mom. Everyone in our club was getting implants and I jumped aboard. They never looked real from day one. I had small breasts and a bony chest. A real waste But, like you, Gramma, I am getting used to not having rock hard balls in my chest. One day I will fully enjoy having them removed.

Dear Gramma,

I had what I was told were saline implants put in 23 years ago. A year after my surgery, my surgeon was killed in a cycling accident after being hit by a car. Two year later, in 1990, after hearing about all the problems with silicone in the news, I called my old surgeon's office and spoke with his office assistant who still worked there for a new surgeon who had taken over the practice. I asked her specifically if I had saline or silicone implants and she told me that I didn't need to worry because my implants were saline. Well, last month, after having a mammogram, I was called into my ob/gyn's office to tell me that my silicone implants were ruptured and leaking. My first thought was that they made a mistake because my implants were saline, not silicone. After calling the imaging center to let them know they made a mistake, the radiologist called me and told me that my implants were silicone. I have been living in a nightmare the past 5 weeks since this discovery, trying to get copies of my records and operative report. Of course, now I'm too late to register for the class action lawsuit and I just had an MRI to confirm that both implants are ruptured, the right side intracapsular, and the left side extracapsular with extravasation of silicone medially, whatever that means. I just have to say that in addition to being completely freaked out by all of this and in utter shock and disbelief, I also was never told that I would have to replace my implants. Now knowing that I received silicone implants and not saline as I was told, I'm wondering why I was never notified to register for the class action lawsuit or provided any direction on follow-up care or testing (MRI's every 2 years) for silicone implants. It seems we have been left to figure things out and fend for ourselves if we were given silicone implants prior to the FDA taking them off the market in the early 90's.

I'm now trying to see a plastic surgeon to find out when I can get them removed and if my insurance will cover the surgery. Meanwhile, I've had health problems for the past 5 years that it seems might be related to the ruptured implants and some new ones that have just surfaced that seem to be linked to ruptured silicone implants. It just doesn't seem fair to be left in the cold, too late to get into the class action lawsuit and left to figure out how to take care of this on my own, after having been mislead.

Hi i have formed a Private facebook group, "Explant Info" if you would like to join here is the link, we can talk there, it's a great group of ladies going through the same things,

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_170323549687975&ref=notif¬if_t=group_activity#!/home.php?sk=group_170323549687975&ap=1

Thanks Lynne
www.lynne-hayes.com

Hi, I too had implants inserted between 1986-1988 in Texas. I cannot remember who the doctor was, nor the private clinic. I had Saline implants--so I thought. Now after all these years and I am being told they are Silicone. I have problems and a lot of pain on my right breast which radiates throughout my neck, shoulders, chest, arm pit, arm and other unexplained symptoms that all mimic Menopause symptoms, and then some. My breast surgeon and I both agreed that Saline will be used -- I am not happy to find out that I was lied to and Silicone was inserted without my knowledge and approval. I have to have them removed for medical reasons, and was just able to get my insurance to agree to remove them, but Insurance will not pay for the redo/replacement. Additionally, because of the silicone leaking throughout I am told that I will loose all my breast tissue --a mastectomy! I too am upset to learn that after all these years I have Silicone implants that were supposed to be Saline. I feel that we should be able to reopen the class action lawsuit or start a new one. Please lets fight together for this.I am scared of the Health Issues that exist, can, or will result from the Silicone leakage.

Ihave had my cilicon breast implants since 1978 and have never had any problems up until 2009 when a mamogram revealed a rupture in the left breast.My doctor was notified and i was refered to a breast surgeon and he only said that the cilicon could get into the lymph nodes and that he would keep an eye on it.I have had three ultra sounds so far to see how far the cilicon has spread,he did not seem too concerned, so i left it up to his better judgement.It is now 20011 and now iam feeling unwell but it may have nothing to do with the leakage,i do get a little discomfort in my breasts but as yet iam not sure whether to consider the removal.Iam 71yrs old

Mrs. D - those implants need to come out. Like anything else, they are wearing and your postponing the inevitable. I work with surgeons every day and I know a few plastic surgeons who have breast implants and get them replaced themselves every 10 years. Mine were 19 years old and they both ruptured last year. I had them removed. Eventually the silicone will find a way out of that capsule.

I too was unable to be a part of the 'class action lawsuit'.
I didn't even know there was one until it was too late.
I was angry at first because I figured they owed me, but after awhile my anger gave way to a sort of 'thankfulness'...Yes, a thankfulness...I was just so thankful that I was able to have them removed without too much trouble. As for missing out on the 'lawsuit' well, I figure I won something better and worth a lot more....my 'life'.
God Bless

Dear Gramma, It's almost three years since your posting a comment so I'm hoping you still get my message. I too had implants in for 32 years. I cannot recall ever being informed that they would need replacing. In saying that, maybe a little naive on my part, but today there is so much information available at our fingertips, we are able to find out more than what we're told. However, for some time now (years) not sure how many, I have had discomfort, hardening and pain, not to mention numbness and lack of sensation and an intollerance to being touched... Just turned 57 and thought while I'm still in pretty good health otherwise, and if surgery was to happen, i'm still well enough and fit enough to have surgery. So for me it was time to have an ultra sound and see how all was going. One had ruptured slightly, but still encapsulated in the outer casing. My doctor referred me to a plastic surgeon and within three weeks i had them replaced. Although early days, I feel so much better, apart from post surgery discomfort, the implants are softer and i was able to ask so many questions and received answers for all. With better technology and procedures I'm hoping these will last me for another 30 years. I am interested to hear how you are today. Kindest regards, Gramma2

Hi,
I'm glad that you feel comfortable with your choice to have them replaced. As for me, I chose not to for reasons I have already explained on this site.

I am feeling 'wonderful' and human again. I will never have to worry about any ruptures or any other mishaps that can happen with implants again. I can lie comfortable on my stomach and have no more pain of any kind. I even have some feeling back where I had lost some feeling (this I didn't expect to get back so it is a bonus).

I am 100% happy with the decision I made to not replace them and although I my breasts are not perfect, I am happy to be and feel healthy again.

You are correct about much more information being available at our very fingertips because of the internet and sites like this one. I can't say enough good things about sites like this for women, it is encouraging, uplifting (no pun intended) and a support group for those who need it.

Well Gramma2, that's about all....

God Bless,
Gramma

Hi Kim,
Mine are 13 years old, I know I have to replace them, when my right one ruptured 7 years ago after I hit it hard by accident , only one ruptured but I replaced both, at 19 years did you do anything to make them rupture or did you just wake up one day and they were deflated.

You know I did not think of it immediately but I think a fall actually ruptured them both after having them 19 years. I was on a farm and I was walking my german shepherd - he unexpectedly saw something that surprised him, he pulled me in such a way that I immediately went down chest first. It was a hard hit but since I had silicone - you won't know about the rupture unless a sonogram or MRI is done. I do believe that fall probably was the straw on the camels back. Silicone does not deflate. Saline deflates.

I just re-read my above note and realized that I was incorrect. I have saline implants. The armpit tenderness is mostly unchanged, but the radiologist relooked at my ultrasound and said, again, that she did not see anything other than cysts. She told me to lay off of the caffeine for a month and if there was no change, she would re-scan me. Thanks for your comments!

Venece: get an MRI done. I had no problems with my silicone implants but last year they both ruptured after 19 years. I had a mammogram, ultrasound and an MRI confirmed everything. Personally, I don't think implants should stay in for more than 10 years. I know a plastic surgeon that has hers replaced every 6 six years. I would get an MRI done.

I would advise you to 'stay on top' of it and don't let you Dr. write it off as if it is in your head....Stay on the Dr.
God Bless

Dianne, I don't know about the coverage someone has in the U.S, but here in Canada our Medical Coverage will only pay for the removal of 'ruptured' implants. So if only one is ruptured the woman will have to pay for the other one to be removed. I myself, would think that for 'phsycological' reason's maybe you could get them to agree to remove both.

Thank you Gramma for answering my comment and I am also a Gramma and regarding the coverage here in U.S.A. it is up to the person I guest, to chose between keeping your implants with all the risks involved or having them removed with a minimum between $2.000.00 to $5.000.00 that I do not have so I guest I will keep going until God take me home with him . It was just a bad decision I made 40 years ago. I had only very small implants but I always regret after having this surgery. Well I will put myself into God's hands and see what the futur will bring me. Thank you again for your interest in my case it is very well appreciated. Hve a great day Grandma Diane

I would say that you are in 'good' hands if you're in God's hands...I am a Christian and will pray that all goes well with you. Gramma from Canada

I just want to congratulate you. Your post is very encouraging. Could you comment on what size bust you had before the implants and size of the implants? Did your doctor had to perform the breast lift as well? And do you have all normal feeling in the healing tissue? Thank you for the information.

If I remember correctly my bust size was a small 'b'..and I had 'c' implants put in..No I didn't have a breast uplift done, I didn't want to have it done. I am very happy with the looks and the results. I have pretty much normal feelings in both breasts and as far a looks, well, I am 59 and although I don't look like I am 20 I don't think I look that bad....I am not as full as before, but not bad at all. I am still wearing the same bra as I did before the operation to remove the implants..Although I don't fill it like I did before, I am still able to wear them... My main concern in doing all of this was to get 'healthy' and I am so glad I did...I am even feeling 'physically' better..It could be all in my head but that is okay too.....I just know that I feel great! :O) God Bless..

Hi Gramma, I have 28 year old textured Silicone implants above the muscle. Just got some capsular contraction in May. Had regular mamograms and never knew I needed MRI's or replacement, with no problems I was aware of. I am frightened, and confused no one told me about any of this, and wish I'd never put them in. Was the post-op painful? And how was the recovery? Did they do en-bloc? Were drains used? It sounds so great, you having this behind you, and having your normal breasts back. Congratulations.

Hi Gramma, I know what you mean...no one told me 25+ years ago that they could/would disintegrate over time. I had silicone under the muscle and due to a papaloma in the nipple I need surgery. We check the implants at the same time and found a small rupture in reality they had fallen apart. I had them replaced just after Thanksgiving and pleased with the results. I had no drains, some pain and discomfort and the incisions are healing well (all of them). I chose to replace them since this has been my body for most of my life and I am comfortable. I wish you well and hope you are happy with whatever way you choose to go.