Then, I learnt that the filler is not safe. 1 year after, I met my surgeon. He took the filler out as much as he could and put implants under the muscle. My ultrasound results are normal. There is no lump, cancer, etc. I know the filler may cause many problems in the future. Should I get another surgery and try to get rid of the filler left? Or should I wait and go for routine examination? Thank you
January 9, 2020
Answer: You will need to rely on the advice of your surgeon In the US we don't use Aquafilling gel as it is not approved for use, so my comments will be based on my general surgical experience and what I know of Aquafilling. The gel is not a permanent implant, thus at some point it is expected to absorb or be gone. It is approved for injection into the breast in Europe and Asia, so at least you know that there has been some experience with its use and most of that experience has been uneventful. From what you have reported here, you have had the majority of the gel removed surgically, a reconstruction performed with an implant, and you now have a normal clinical examination and normal ultrasounds. It is very difficult to advise you specifically, as your surgeon is the one who both did your other surgery and can evaluate you now in person. However, you must consider that at this point, the option to return to surgery and try to get out every last bit of an essentially long-term temporary filler, which may not cause any further problems before it's totally gone, may be more destructive and lead you down a much greater reconstructive path than simply following up with close monitoring and maybe repeat ultrasound or MRI studies every so often to detect any problems that may arise from residual filler. In some instances in which ladies have had things like silicone oil injected into their breasts, attempts to remove all of the substance completely have essentially amounted to mastectomy, with all of the reconstructive requirements that then follow that. This is a judgment call, and it must be an informed decision between you and your surgeon. Can you have peace of mind simply watching things for awhile longer with close follow up, or if not, is your peace of mind more important than the potential for destructive surgery followed by a more major reconstructive effort? That kind of thing is a personal decision for each lady to make, and there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. My advice is for you to sit down with your surgeon and have a very frank and detailed discussion about all hypothetical scenarios and all foreseeable options to deal with those. Then you have to look into your own heart with that information in mind and decide which path makes you most comfortable. And most importantly, don't beat yourself up about your decision to have the injections in the first place. You made a decision that you thought would be good for you based on information that you were given by someone you trusted. These things happen, it means nothing about you other than you want to look your best and have the best for yourself, and I think that's OK. Move on now, get good advice to make rational, unemotional decisions, and start the next chapter of your life. Best of luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
January 9, 2020
Answer: You will need to rely on the advice of your surgeon In the US we don't use Aquafilling gel as it is not approved for use, so my comments will be based on my general surgical experience and what I know of Aquafilling. The gel is not a permanent implant, thus at some point it is expected to absorb or be gone. It is approved for injection into the breast in Europe and Asia, so at least you know that there has been some experience with its use and most of that experience has been uneventful. From what you have reported here, you have had the majority of the gel removed surgically, a reconstruction performed with an implant, and you now have a normal clinical examination and normal ultrasounds. It is very difficult to advise you specifically, as your surgeon is the one who both did your other surgery and can evaluate you now in person. However, you must consider that at this point, the option to return to surgery and try to get out every last bit of an essentially long-term temporary filler, which may not cause any further problems before it's totally gone, may be more destructive and lead you down a much greater reconstructive path than simply following up with close monitoring and maybe repeat ultrasound or MRI studies every so often to detect any problems that may arise from residual filler. In some instances in which ladies have had things like silicone oil injected into their breasts, attempts to remove all of the substance completely have essentially amounted to mastectomy, with all of the reconstructive requirements that then follow that. This is a judgment call, and it must be an informed decision between you and your surgeon. Can you have peace of mind simply watching things for awhile longer with close follow up, or if not, is your peace of mind more important than the potential for destructive surgery followed by a more major reconstructive effort? That kind of thing is a personal decision for each lady to make, and there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. My advice is for you to sit down with your surgeon and have a very frank and detailed discussion about all hypothetical scenarios and all foreseeable options to deal with those. Then you have to look into your own heart with that information in mind and decide which path makes you most comfortable. And most importantly, don't beat yourself up about your decision to have the injections in the first place. You made a decision that you thought would be good for you based on information that you were given by someone you trusted. These things happen, it means nothing about you other than you want to look your best and have the best for yourself, and I think that's OK. Move on now, get good advice to make rational, unemotional decisions, and start the next chapter of your life. Best of luck!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
