POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Revision REVIEWS
Breast Implant Revision & Axilla lipo
ORIGINAL POST
I got implants (Mentor HP round saline 325 cc...
WORTH IT$9,670
I got implants (Mentor HP round saline 325 cc filled to 360 & 370 ccs) 5 1/2 years ago in March 2008. They are sub-glandular (over the muscle) and the incision was aerolar. Most of my problems started about 2 years ago.
1. I have been having sharp, needle-like stabbing pain in my cleveage area
2. The center of my clevage has shifted to the right (the middle of my breasts no longer align with my clavicle... it is noticeable and affects how clothes fit & lay on my body)
3. my left breast appears to not have ever fully dropped
4. i have a "bubble" on my right implant that moves. 2 surgeons told me it was the valve. 2 tol me it was not the valve. i dont know what it is, but it grosses me out.
5. the shape of my breasts has changed a bit, and they look noticeably fake.
i have gone to 4 different surgeons in atlanta. one office in buckhead wouldn't schedule me with the surgeon, even after explaining the complexity of my case. they swore that the assistant would know exactly what the doctor would say... however, once i got there, she said that i "stumped her" and she took pictures of me to let the doctor see, and then said i needed a full Mastopexy and possibly Strattice, along with silcone replacements. they would keep the same pocket. $12,990
another doctor said i just needed them replaced, over the muscle, and that i had a Baker IV capsular contracture. $4800
The third surgeon, who originally put my implants in, said i needed to have the pockets redone, and that he would keep the implants in the same pocket, over the muscle. $6600
I went to Dr. Connors, who is going to be doing an internal bra with suchers, removing the implant shell (which will be drained 1 week prior to surgery), soldering the old capsule, and putting silicone implants under the muscle. I wil also be getting some lipo on my bra buldge, under my armpits. total estimated cost for all of this is $9670.
I will add photos after my breast implants are drained next week and do my best to update this through my journey! I am so nervous, yet anxious, to have this done. If anyone has any advice, please reach out!!!
1. I have been having sharp, needle-like stabbing pain in my cleveage area
2. The center of my clevage has shifted to the right (the middle of my breasts no longer align with my clavicle... it is noticeable and affects how clothes fit & lay on my body)
3. my left breast appears to not have ever fully dropped
4. i have a "bubble" on my right implant that moves. 2 surgeons told me it was the valve. 2 tol me it was not the valve. i dont know what it is, but it grosses me out.
5. the shape of my breasts has changed a bit, and they look noticeably fake.
i have gone to 4 different surgeons in atlanta. one office in buckhead wouldn't schedule me with the surgeon, even after explaining the complexity of my case. they swore that the assistant would know exactly what the doctor would say... however, once i got there, she said that i "stumped her" and she took pictures of me to let the doctor see, and then said i needed a full Mastopexy and possibly Strattice, along with silcone replacements. they would keep the same pocket. $12,990
another doctor said i just needed them replaced, over the muscle, and that i had a Baker IV capsular contracture. $4800
The third surgeon, who originally put my implants in, said i needed to have the pockets redone, and that he would keep the implants in the same pocket, over the muscle. $6600
I went to Dr. Connors, who is going to be doing an internal bra with suchers, removing the implant shell (which will be drained 1 week prior to surgery), soldering the old capsule, and putting silicone implants under the muscle. I wil also be getting some lipo on my bra buldge, under my armpits. total estimated cost for all of this is $9670.
I will add photos after my breast implants are drained next week and do my best to update this through my journey! I am so nervous, yet anxious, to have this done. If anyone has any advice, please reach out!!!
KarenATL's provider
Replies (2)
November 26, 2014
I am thinking of doing lipo to my Axilla area (sides of breast) but it doesnt seem too common. Just trying to see if I can find anyone with that experience with their implants and see how their recovery went. Is this the area you lipo'd? If so, I would love to chit chat more with someone who has :) Thanks!
UPDATED FROM KarenATL
7 days pre
Night before pre-op appt & implant draining
I'm scared to death of having my implants drained tomorrow morning. I seriously haven't slept well in 3 nights.
I am scared to see what the will look like, and how my breasts will feel without the saline. I know this is very temporary- only 1 week with "no boobs" but hey have become a big part of me. I don't want to be without them.
Has anyone ever had their saline implants drained before revision? Did your breasts look like they did before implants or were they saggy? Did it hurt during the procedure or afterwards? How did your clothes fit? Did you wear the same bras and just stuff them? (Ha... I'm seriously considering this)
I'm going to try and document the procedure live tomorrow. There isn't a ton of info on "pre-op implant draining" so hopefully my experience-good or bad- can help inform someone else.
I am scared to see what the will look like, and how my breasts will feel without the saline. I know this is very temporary- only 1 week with "no boobs" but hey have become a big part of me. I don't want to be without them.
Has anyone ever had their saline implants drained before revision? Did your breasts look like they did before implants or were they saggy? Did it hurt during the procedure or afterwards? How did your clothes fit? Did you wear the same bras and just stuff them? (Ha... I'm seriously considering this)
I'm going to try and document the procedure live tomorrow. There isn't a ton of info on "pre-op implant draining" so hopefully my experience-good or bad- can help inform someone else.
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM KarenATL
Day of treatment
Day of surgery.... Omg
Good news:
1. It's over
2. No drains
3. Surgery was only 2 hrs, not 3-4 as anticipated
4. No nausea or vomiting
5. I am very aware and alert. Still myself. Probably because they used propophol to knock me out.
6. My breasts look smaller and more natural already.
Not so great news:
1.Holy sh*t this hurts.
Seriously... This is much more painful than my first BA. But it's tolerable.
He removed a lot of scar tissue and the internal bra is stitched to my chest wall & rib cage (I think...?) on top of going under the muscle vs. over the muscle the first time. I had some limo done underneath my armpits, too, which likely contributes to this pain.
It hurts to breathe. It hurts to move. But I am walking around a lot and standing to help prevent blood clots in my legs. My throat hurts pretty bad too from the tube they insert.
My mom can already tell a difference about how much better they look. I do not have a ton of swelling around my neck and clavicle which is good too.
I had an absolute All-Star operative team. My anesthesiologist was laid back and answered my questions in 2 ways: Medical terminology & real talk. Dr. Connors answered all of my mothers questions and put us both at ease. The recovery nurse (who is actually a travel nurse) was Auh-may-zing. Couldn't have asked for a better team handling me.
I ended up switching out my 325 cc (overfilled to 360 & 370 cc) HP round sub glandular implants for 400 cc silicone moderate plus sub muscular implants.
Can't wait to see how these end up. I am happy.
1. It's over
2. No drains
3. Surgery was only 2 hrs, not 3-4 as anticipated
4. No nausea or vomiting
5. I am very aware and alert. Still myself. Probably because they used propophol to knock me out.
6. My breasts look smaller and more natural already.
Not so great news:
1.Holy sh*t this hurts.
Seriously... This is much more painful than my first BA. But it's tolerable.
He removed a lot of scar tissue and the internal bra is stitched to my chest wall & rib cage (I think...?) on top of going under the muscle vs. over the muscle the first time. I had some limo done underneath my armpits, too, which likely contributes to this pain.
It hurts to breathe. It hurts to move. But I am walking around a lot and standing to help prevent blood clots in my legs. My throat hurts pretty bad too from the tube they insert.
My mom can already tell a difference about how much better they look. I do not have a ton of swelling around my neck and clavicle which is good too.
I had an absolute All-Star operative team. My anesthesiologist was laid back and answered my questions in 2 ways: Medical terminology & real talk. Dr. Connors answered all of my mothers questions and put us both at ease. The recovery nurse (who is actually a travel nurse) was Auh-may-zing. Couldn't have asked for a better team handling me.
I ended up switching out my 325 cc (overfilled to 360 & 370 cc) HP round sub glandular implants for 400 cc silicone moderate plus sub muscular implants.
Can't wait to see how these end up. I am happy.
Replies (5)
June 20, 2013
i had an internal bra done as well for my revision surgery and i absolutely love it!
July 20, 2013
Did you happen to have a pulling sensation from the internal suchers? How long before you started working out again??
October 21, 2014
I had a pocket mod. Where my Dr did 4 rows or stiches to my ribs. I am one month post op and still in bed. Can't do really anything out side of the house. Can't stand for longer than 5 min. I am so sick of this burning pain. My Dr put me on amitriptyline for my nerve pain. I think it was worked a little, as I don't have constant pain just pain when standing. He said I could get surgery to take out all stiches. Just don't know what to do
Thank you for sharing your story on RealSelf. Sorry to hear about your need for a revision. This must be frustrating for you in many ways. I'm really glad to see you have thoroughly done your homework and found a PS you can trust. You are even opting to pay more money to get the revision done right...good for you! I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the internal bra so hopefully this will work well for you. Looking forward to your photos and updates! Take care!