My silicone over-the-muscle breast implants were 40+ years old, with grade 4 capsular contracture. They had been very hardened for many years, like bricks on my chest. I don't know the size, but they were not large as I am a small-framed woman. In the past year the capsular contracture started to really become a problem, with one implant literally climbing up my chest and causing pain. I decided to have them removed, and went with Dr. Robert Lukavsky at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. Diagnostic mammogram showed that I also had a small (benign) ductal tumor. It was decided to have the lumpectomy and capsulectomy done at the same time -requiring the coordination of 2 different surgeons, which was arranged promptly- rather than undergo general anesthesia twice. Surgery went well with the only complication being that both implants were ruptured, likely from the 2 1/2 mammograms I went through; one screening, one diagnostic, and a single breast mammo'd the day of surgery after the placement of a wire to help the breast surgeon locate the ductal tumor. I'm now near 10 weeks out from surgery. Recovery has been interesting... the "chest on fire" from angry nerves, the zaps and stabs. Given the age of the implants and resultant tissue damage from contracture, I knew recovery wouldn't be rainbows and roses, and thankfully those particular symptoms mostly resolved at abt. 7 weeks. The addition of the lumpectomy brought its own separate recovery issue to the affected breast, slowing down progress in terms of pain/return to normal routine. (With the hindsight of reading the literature, and given the extended recovery and risk of chronic issues it added, I would have not had that part of the surgery for a benign, non-symptomatic lesion...) I also had a hematoma from the core needle biopsy, so that was yet another healing step. At this point I am dealing with only "spitting sutures", one of which is very sore and has for weeks refused to go ahead and spit itself OUT of my incision. It is the only issue keeping me in persistent pain, and I need to get it tended to so I can wear a properly supportive bra. The expected: I did not have a lift (although I reserve the right to do so in future, and will use Dr. Lukavsky again if I do) and my breasts look pretty much as I thought they would. I'm slender and didn't have a lot of breast tissue to start with, so they are of course much smaller and a bit deflated looking. But I think I actually look better in my clothing now, more balanced and natural, so I'm happy about that. The unexpected: 11 yrs. ago I had a multi-level spine fusion w/hardware in my neck. Levels of neck and shoulder pain ever since, so chronic that I considered it my "new normal". At approximately 2 weeks post (breast) op, that pain disappeared and has so far not returned. That's huuuge. Evidently the weight of the implants, constantly tugging downward, was affecting nerves and muscles above. Blessed relief! Unexpecteds #2-3-4: Starting in young adulthood (after implants), I suddenly developed IBS-D. Life altering, in a bad way. Not.One.Episode. since surgery, no matter how many "triggers" I eat. And my hair has stopped falling out at its previous absurd rate. And the whites of my eyes no longer look as if they're going to bleed. Again, all huge -maybe a series of coincidences, but I'll take it. Overall, I simply feel and look better. The care team: Dr. Lukavsky is a genuinely kind and likeable person, and did a great job of fixing the mess in my chest. I had minimal swelling, minimal output in the drains, and my scars appear to be leveling out nicely. I'm very happy with his work. His PA, Shay, is always available, always taking care. She's wonderful, along with other office staff. Community South Surgery Center were top notch. My case was not entirely typical, so my healing was probably a little more involved than most explant patients would experience. I would have breezed through capsulectomy only. With a competent surgeon at your side and careful following of instructions, there should be no fear of explant/capsulectomy. Very worth it.
