After two "deflations" in three years of my saline...
After two "deflations" in three years of my saline implants, I was advised by my doctor to try silicone. I had my first breast augmentation surgery in 2010 at age 33. I went from an A cup to a D cup. I got saline implants because I still wasn't convinced of the safety of silicone, and I was trying to save money. I had a very difficult surgery that required me to stay overnight and a difficult recovery. In December 2013, I noticed that my left breast had deflated or leaked. About a month later, my right breast also deflated. My doctor said it was unusual to get two bad lemons. Because I had scheduled a two month trip to Europe in the early summer, I could not get my replacement surgery done until July 2014. It was also a difficult recovery with a lot of vomiting and soreness. Allergan replaced the cost of the implants. as well as some of the cost of surgery, as the implants were under warranty. but I still paid about $2,000 out of pocket. Allergan was changing their warranty program, and after my experience, I decided to pay $250 for the full warranty for full replacement. However, when I sent in my payment, I was told it was about two weeks past the warranty window, so now I just had the basic warranty again. In November 2016, my left breast deflated again. Neither my doctor or I could believe it. She tried to work with the Allergan rep to so that I could receive some compensation. They were willing to give me a "sample", but that I would have to wait almost six months. My doctor advised against waiting, and she also advised that I consider silicone since I had such rotten luck with saline. She worked with a Sientra rep to see if they would be willing to offer a sample after telling them my story, and they did! I had to pay the cost of the hospital and anesthesiologist, but I did not have to pay the cost of the implants. I am a teacher and can only take time off at Christmas or summer, and they were able to provide the implants right away so I wouldn't have to miss any school. When I did have the surgery, I had my quickest and most painless recovery. I was able to help put Christmas ornaments away just 48 hours after the surgery. After I recovered, I was very pleased with Sientra's silicone implants. Not only was my recovery time smoother and less painful, but I noticed that my chest felt lighter and I slept better. When I had saline implants, my chest would feel heavy at night and make it hard to sleep. I no longer had that issue. My husband says they are softer and feel more real. I can't speak to that, so I'll just take his word for it. I really appreciate Sientra stepping in to help, and I would definitely advise anyone who was trying to decide between saline and silicone to choose silicone. It made a big difference in my comfort level.