I have a Natrelle textured breast implant 120-600 in my right breast which has been recalled, should I have them removed?

If you have an implant, the FDA recommends:
regular monitoring for symptoms of BIA-ALCL if you have no symptoms of BIA-ALCL, there is no need to remove the implant and no need to change your routine medical care and follow up

Dear idahoms,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine is there something wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your question. I would recommend scheduling an in-person examination with your surgeon, or a local ASPS board certified plastic surgeon, to address your concerns and discuss what treatment options would be best for you. 

Dear "idahoms"
the Natrelle textured implants that were recently recalled by the FDA have been associated with over 450 of the about 550 cases of patients who have developed a Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (a type of cancer associated to their implant). You correctly describe ALCL as a "blood cancer" and not a breast cancer. While this cancer can be very serious and has even led to over 30 deaths worldwide, you have to balance the risk of one additional surgery against the benefits. Remember that each year over a million women undergo breast implant placement worldwide. While the exact incidence is unknown, the odds of developing ALCL associated with your implants are probably about 1/3000. Balance that against the risks, cost, pain and possible changes in breast shape associated with additional surgery. Your age alone is not a contra-indication, as long as your in good health and you are treated at an accredited facility. The manufacturer would provide you with free of cost replacement smooth implants, but you would still have to pay for the surgery cost. The current recommendation is not to remove asymptomatic implants. But if you develop symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling or if they just cause you too much anxiety, maybe removing the implants is the right answer for you.

Hello, while it is not recommended by the FDA that all women with textured implants have them removed, if it is causing you significant anxiety with the reports of ALCL, it might make sense to have them removed or changed to smooth implants if you wish to keep implants.  I would make an in person appointment with your plastic surgeon.  It is reasonable to remove them if they are a source of constant worry for you.  While ALCL is extremely rare, it thus far has only been associated with textured implants.  The FDA and manufacturer's recommendations are important, but do not override your choice as the patient.  Hope this is helpful.

If you get your mammagrams as scheduled routinely and have no symptoms, you should be ok to keep your implants. This lymphoma is still rare. If need, please see a plastic surgeon to be examined.

I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for an examination and discussion of your concerns.  It is not recommended that the recalled implants be removed unless you are experiencing issues.  You certainly can elect to have them removed at any time if you choose regardless if they are problematic.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
The FDA and ASPS currently are NOT recommending removal of Natrelle textured implants. The FDA has reported 457 confirmed cases of BIA-ACL in the US. The lifetime risk has been estimated as between 1/3817 and 1/30000. 
Followup examinations are required. Symptoms / signs of BIA-ACL include pain, firmness of the breast due to fluid accumulation, or a discrete mass in the breast or armpit. If with symptoms, complete physical examination, MRI or ultrasound studies are required. If there is a mass or fluid collection, biopsy / cytology is necessary. If identified early, BIA-ACL is completely curable with removal of the implant and surrounding capsule / scar. 
I recommend yhat you undergo evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

Thank you for your question.With the current voluntary removal of all Natrelle textured implants from the market, this has become a common question. My recommendation would be to schedule an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon for an examination and discussion regarding your concerns. He/she will be able to help you decide what course of action would be best based on your particular situation.Good luck!