Breast Implants: Stories

You can read Part 1 of my journey here.

Hello Ladies!
It's been almost 3 weeks since I started my ultrasound appointments. The therapy is done for 10 minutes at 2.0 (Kwh?), although yesterday she did it at 2.5.

My hubby and I are thinking that it has softened the CC boob up some. We are gauging by feel and also when I lay flat on the floor it no longer feels like such a big ball on the left side. It is by no means gone, but maybe some improvement. The big question is will it stay this way once treatments are done or get worse again??

I think the size difference is still there, the left one has not dropped back down.
I checked another doctor and he basically quoted me $5K to do a capsulectomy compared to my docs $3,300. Interestingly enough, he actually did not think I had CC and thought my pocket needed to be dropped instead and would do a capsulotomy for $3,100.

Ooops, I accidentally put my official post int he comment section. I'm a veteran you'd think I'd have this down by now. Lol
I am reposting it. Sorry!

So I am making an official post since I havent been able to in a while b/c I talk waaaayy too much! Yup, me and Breasto broke the word limit! LOL~ Well I have 1.5 weeks left of ultrasound (US) treatment. That is a total of 6 more visits totaling 6 weeks of 3x's a week. I think I could really feel a hardness difference at 4 weeks. When I massage with my hand, for the most part can still feel the hard capsule still it's just not as hard. But when I lay flat on the floor, I no longer feel the hard ball that was once present on my left side. They feel the same now withonly a tightness on the sides if I roll to the left or right. As a side note, I am concerned I might be grade II on my right side and the doc just hasnt caught it. I go in for an appointment on the 15th, my PS is going to evaluate my progress. I am going to ask him if the hardness may come back after I stop US treatments. I am worried about that. At this point I am on hold for doing anything. Options I have been considering are 1) Capsulectomy 2) Capsulectomy w/Strattice 3) Pocket Protector by Dr. Berman 4) Explant (remove em!) 5) Or live with them as they are for as long as I can stand it. At this point, everything is on hold. I am not going to jump the gun, and in the meantime I have been doing as much research as I can trying to figure out what to do. I am looking to see how many people have had a straight capsulectomy and have not had a recurrence. I have found a few people who have been so lucky. Makes me consider trying it.

Posting updated and informative pics for you guys. Note that the mammogram is not me.

I am adding some pics of implants removed with capsules. I apologize if it is more graphic than anyone cares to see, but I thought would be informative of anyone wanting to know. The picture with the capsulized implant next to a regular implant shows how much it restricts, then one that shows the capsule cut open shows how much pressure is released when spliced open. I hope these pics are not against RS policy, but I am sure someone will tell me if it is.

**6 months**
Well ladies, my 6 month post-op boobie-versary was on the 11th.
I am also at the end of my 6 weeks of Ultra sound therapy and I have an appt with my PS tomorrow to check my progress.
I feel that even thought the US has made my breast softer, the CC is still there. I think it is as good as its going to get without surgery. I am thinking I still have my 4 options.
1) Live with it 2) Regular capsulectomy $3,300 3) Capsulectomy with Strattice $7,800 4) Explant.
Part of me wants to explant and just be done with the whole thing. The other part of me wants to keep my new boobies as it is something I had wanted for so long and now I am more proportionate!
SIGH! What to do?
Well I will let you know what he says tomorrow, but I am sure my options will be the same.
Oh, and for those of you that quit smoking for your augmentation- I would suggest DONT START BACK UP! They DO feel that there is a link of CC and smoking although you see non-smokers get it. But why chance it?
I started smoking at post-op month 3, started feeling a tightness at 3.5 months, and was diagnosed at month 4 with CC.
I still haven't quit smoking again, but plan to do so by this weekend.

Ok ladies! I had my appointment with my doc and I have reached a decision. I feel much better about things and now I finally have a game plan. I am going to go with the capsulectomy with strattice and just wait until I can afford the surgery before doing it. I will try to save up or what not but this is the route I am going to go. I believe that this IS the best route to go to prevent CC from happening again. My doc has done many capsulectomies with strattice for CC and has NOT had one recurrence. I feel better after talking with them even though they told me what I already knew except I did ask about tissue removal with capsulectomy and he said that none is removed. Only the capsule and they put a whole new implant in. AND they said it may not get any worse than it is now and that the US may have stopped it from getting worse. We will see but I have time to wait, so I will do just that. Hopefully I will be able to have the surgery within a year from now. I would like to keep my new boobs, so I am feeling better that I now have a solution that will work.

Happy Thanksgiving girls! I hope you have a wonderful day with your friends and family!

**ALMOST 7 MONTHS**
Everything is going good, aside from the CC. As far as feeling a part of me, I would say that I am always aware that they are not my natural breast. No big deal, but I remember one girl considering implants and she was freaked out about the idea of it. My scars have gotten lighter, my CC seems to be holding. By that I mean not getting any harder. Aside from some upper-pole fullness on the left side it is not so noticeable in clothes. A bikini however would be a different story. Those tank-inis hide it though. I have recently bought some Calvin Clein un-padded wireless bras. Being over weight, I sometimes feel like my boobs make me look even bigger. I have also used the bikini top padding in the underwire to hide the nips if I am going out. Otherwise, these ones are pretty comfy and help minimize my size a little bit. I will be posting pics of my scars and the bras soon.

Hello Ladies,
I thought I would update and tell you that most, if not all of my numbness is gone and I pretty much have full sensation in my breasts and nipples. That my be a relief for those that are worried about it. There is a slight numbness on the bottom portion still. At some point after surgery I found my nipples would contract even though I couldn't feel a thing. I felt it was a good sign that they still were functioning and thank goodness I was right.
I have decided not to add any more pics at this point since we can no longer edit or remove any. I dont like that idea at all.
But anyways, I hope you are all enjoying your boobies, the holidays, and your families.
We have much to be thankful for. I gotta say I am thankful that the seat-belt in the car no longer makes me look flat chested. Lol
Merry Christmas boobie buddies! You guys are the best!

**8.5 months (9 months would be on 2/11/13)**
Hi Ladies, Just thought I would post that at this point I am trying to save up the moolah to have my surgery. Unfortunately, that is probably going to take me a while. Over a year?? Good lord, I don't know. But I will let you know (If you're still around by then) when I am getting the revision and then how things go afterwards. I am really hoping by Christmas 2013. Until then- Have a Happy Boobie life and I want you to know that I have enjoyed taking this journey with you and making such wonderful boobie friends. =) I should still be getting notifications if you send me a message or post to my review. HUGS!