“Implant removal already, one week post-op (245cc mentor implants)”
Breast implant removal: Worth it
Pain: Mild
I am a 27-seven year old woman, who had 245cc Mentor implants placed partially under the muscle. I found the implants too big for my self-image, even though technically my body could have carried even larger implants (my PS originally suggested 315cc implants to give a moderate increase).
I explanted already one week post-operation and have not regretted having them removed. The operation was done in local five days ago, and I did not really have pain afterwards. I feel that my skin bounced back nicely straight after and on the outside my breasts look very much like before. However, I enjoy exercising at the gym and worry that my pec muscles have suffered.
My PS told me that my pec muscles will look and behave as normal once they have healed, but I have been concerned after reading online that so many women suffer from muscle distortion when flexing. I have left my muscles in peace to heal now, but do worry greatly if there will be deformity when exercising. Is there any possibility that my PS is correct and I will not have distortion? Also, the PS did not place any drains. I have only now noticed that many patients have drains after a removal. Can this have a negative effect on my muscle healing? Thank you very much in advance.
Oct 31, 2009Comments and replies (2)
86 posts
2 Nov 2009
1) If your original implants were placed below your pectoralis muscles, then in all likelihood the lower portion of the muscles have been divided. Although this will weaken the muscles, it should not "deform" them. Further, the weakness will more likely occur during a "chest press" type of exercise, rather than with flexing your arms. 2) Drains are not always placed after surgery to remove implants. However, if the capsule around the implant was also removed, then a drain is very useful. 3) Drains function to remove any fluid that may accumulate after surgery. They have little effect on muscular healing.
5 posts
20 Nov 2009
Dr. Brenner, Do you also have an educational background in muscle/ muscle repair? No offense, but it doesn't sound like it. Most PS's are just that-plastic surgeons...w/ no background in anything to do w/ muscle. The muscle in itself does not deform. Let's be straight forward here...the pec muscle below the breast is released (detached) from ribs....so when flexed it slides up causing an animation deformity. This can especially be true if capsules are left in place. It is also ineresting to hear you say that this can "weaken the muscle" since so many other PS's out there also deny this claim. What is your theory on what happens to the muscle after detached? It just magically goes back to the way it was?