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POSTED UNDER Ideal Implant Reviews

42 yrs old, 5'7", 120 lbs - Ideal Implant 335cc

UPDATED FROM SurgeryFirstTimer
2 years post

Revision - 2 years later!

SurgeryFirstTimer
$7,800
So, I finally had my revision. There was no choice toward the end. I was so severely lopsided that I looked ridiculous - apparently an entire chamber had deflated and I was probably 1 or 1.5 cup sizes off from my left breast.
The doctor's office worked with Ideal to get me a free revision of both breasts, implants and surgery included. The only thing I had to pay for were my prescriptions. It's not guaranteed though, Ideal still needs to examine the old implants to ensure that they truly malfunctioned. So I'll be pretty ticked if they try to come back and say I owe anything. I was so disgruntled about having to go under the knife again due to manufacturer issues that I wanted them to pay ME for the additional risk to my health! Ha!
Anyway, I am 5 days post op today. I'm feeling great. I had almost no pain from the very beginning. Both implants were replaced after much debate despite the left breast seeming to have no issues. I stuck with the same size, so there was no real adjustment for my muscles (at least on the left side), on the right side, there was a little bit of stretching but not much since it slowly deflated over 2 years. The surgeon did have to score the capsule some since it sort of shrank with the implant. But besides for slightly more swelling on that side, it was imperceptible compared to the first surgery. I was a little paranoid about hematomas, and the gruesome image of ripping my stitches open due to stretching too much, but that's just how I am! I really didn't even need my ibuprofen after the first day, I just took it anyway.
I'm back to a lot more of my regular activities, just not lifting or moving anything heavier than a few pounds. Last surgery, I think I didn't move my arms for 2 weeks! I haven't seen my incision since I haven't had my follow up visit yet and the tape is still covering it, but hopefully it looks ok. Doctor said cutting on the same scar could worsen the result, so I'm curious how it looks. I'll post some pictures once the tapes come off.
In conclusion, best outcome I could hope for so far. Keep those fingers crossed!

SurgeryFirstTimer's provider

Michael McNeel, MD, FACS

Michael McNeel, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (3)

February 10, 2021
What rotten luck to have to go through that. Pleased to hear that this surgery was so much easier. Hope your recovery continues to go well and that you're pleased with your results.
February 11, 2021
Thank you! I hope so!
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February 11, 2021
Revision sx is easier bc everything was done/established the first sx. I hope Ideal doesn't give any issues since nothing was wrong with the other implant and you stayed the same size. I always thought they (any implant manufacturer) would only replace the bad/defective side unless you obviously chose a larger implant to swap with. My friend KTR12 on here had her Ideal implants fail twice in about a year or so. Apparently they (Ideal) were having some issues. That's why I changed my mind from saline to silicone fearing if I had a deflation I didn't want to go around lopsided. I wish you a speedy recovery and the best of luck with your revision. Take care and happy healing.
February 11, 2021
Oh man, that is NOT what I wanted to hear! Are you saying that she had surgery twice? Replaced the implant and then it failed again?!
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February 11, 2021
Here's her original 1st sx; https://www.realself.com/review/arlington-heights-il-breast-augmentation-28yrs-52-116lbs-children?deeplink=deeplink/review/5754434&utm%5Fsource=iOSApp&utm%5Fmedium=share&utm%5Fcampaign=app-sharing
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February 11, 2021
Here's her 2nd sx and she's deflated again; https://www.realself.com/review/breast-implant-revision-rupture?deeplink=deeplink/review/9368977&utm%5Fsource=iOSApp&utm%5Fmedium=share&utm%5Fcampaign=app-sharing
January 3, 2023
Hi there, just wanted to see how you were doing after the revision surgery. Any more leakage issues with Ideal implants?
UPDATED FROM SurgeryFirstTimer
6 months post

A RECALL?!?

SurgeryFirstTimer
Seriously? What kind of lousy luck do I have? A RECALL! Geez. So all my follow up visits have continued to show my left breast significantly larger than my right breast and my surgeon finally admitted that it could be a leak rather than me originally being asymmetrical as he tried to pass it off as before. He mentioned the possibility of re-operating, which I was NOT happy about. I questioned if they put in the correct amount of saline to begin with since it was always lopsided from day one. He adamantly assured me that was not the case. At my 5 month check up they decided to look into the possibility that the implant was faulty and, believe it or not, they actually discovered that the lot my implants came from were recalled for a faulty valve that leaks early on! This meant that Ideal Implant was going to replace my implants and pay for my surgery.
So...I guess they got that part right, but now I have to decide if this is something I'm willing to do again. I was so hesitant the first time, I can't believe I have to consider this AGAIN just 6 months later! Geez. Same surgical risks, supposedly easier recovery since there is no muscle adjustment. Dr did say that the capsule in the right side may need "scoring" to adjust for a larger implant, which may need some recovery time too. Otherwise, it's just recovering from the incision. I also have to decide if I want to replace my left implant. It's part of the defective lot, but obviously it hasn't leaked yet. I don't think. I'd hate to fix what ain't broke - but what if it is and I just done know it yet? Ugh! Decisions, decisions! What lousy luck. And my bigger concern is, what guarantee do I have that these new implants are going to pass the test this time? What if they have different manufacturing defects this time? What if they put it in the wrong place or something goes wrong this time and I actually end up looking worse? Right now, it's not super noticable unless I'm naked or in a bikini. In clothes you'd have to be looking pretty hard to notice the difference.
What should I do??

Replies (3)

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July 11, 2019
Did you get notification from Ideal about them being recalled? I would think personally if they both are faulty an one messed up and Ideal is paying to fix them, I’d do it. However make sure you have all your info in hand to cover yourself so nothing gets mixed up and you get charged. They may only cover it one time so if you only do the one side now they may not cover the cost if the other side fails later, jmo. Good luck, keep us posted. ❤️
February 11, 2021
Hi spunkcow, you're exactly right. That's what I was struggling with. The doctor said "most likely" if it hasn't leaked by now then this particular implant was probably ok, but no guarantees! So, mess with what SEEMED ok, or replace it and start over from square one with all the original risks of surgery?? I waffled so much that finally, the morning of the surgery, he just said "if you're 50/50 then let's just do it." By then I was a bit loopy on my anti anxiety pills and it was a decision he and my husband came to. I only have a vague recollection of the conversation!
I guess since I'm feeling good right now, I'm glad I did it!
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February 11, 2021
The girl I mentioned in my other reply had her Ideal implants fail (deflate) twice in a year or so. It's crazy!! Sorry you had to go through that.
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July 14, 2019
I’m so sorry to hear you’re one of the patients affected by the recall. Spunkcow makes good points about going forward with a second surgery. Hopefully the recall notice is still on the Ideal website. They issued it in April. They halted all production of new implants until they resolved the problem. If new implants are available now, I would think the new post-recall implants should be fail proof. I know you’ll make the best decision for you.
February 11, 2021
They actually halted production for a long time due to all the complications of covid 19, so it was nearly a year before they even had anything in stock! It worked out well for me because until the leak got really bad, I was so stressed from trying to make a decision! When they ran out if stock I was relieved because I felt like I had a reprieve from decision making, or the clock ticking on that recall offer to pay for surgery! Then, they came back on line right when my breasts started looking unacceptable and surgery was unavoidable!
February 10, 2021
Thanks for the advice! These were all concerns I had when I was making this decision. So far, I haven't paid for anything, but we'll see. Read my update post here next
UPDATED FROM SurgeryFirstTimer
2 months post

Missed periods

SurgeryFirstTimer
Oh! I meant to ask too - any of you ladies experience missing/late periods? I had my period on schedule a few days after my surgery, but it's been 9 weeks since that and I haven't had a period again! I'm not pregnant, and I've read that surgery can need with your cycle, but two missed periods? I'm a little worried. I'm calling my gyno tomorrow, but was hoping to get some personal experiences that turned out alright from you guys!

Replies (3)

March 14, 2019
*surgery can MESS with your period (darn autocorrect!)
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March 14, 2019
In an earlier post you said your husband had a vasectomy? That wasn’t to recent and your positive that took? Sometimes they do fail? You do read on here sometimes ladies get pregnant after BA sx. But my bet would be maybe it’s just from the stress on your body and the changes. It’s an emotional roller coaster we go through and it takes a toll. I def would call the gyno or primary Dr. If your hubby recently had that vasectomy, maybe get a blood test oppose to a urine pregnancy test to just be certain? I know I stressed so much before my sx I made my period a week late and had a bloody mess to deal with while healing from my BL/BA sx. Good luck and keep us updated. Otherwise how do you feel like your symmetry is coming along? I remember you posting about that and one side being bigger than the other? Has that resolved itself yet? Otherwise I thought everything was looking good. Take care & happy healing dear! ❤️❣️❤️
March 18, 2019
Thank you! Yes, my hubby had a vasectomy, but bless his heart he has not yet scheduled his follow-up to make sure the procedure "took"! (Yes, it was over a year ago!) My ob/gyn wants to wait until I've missed 3 periods before seeing me. My urine pregnancy test came back negative. I assume they will do a blood test when I go in to the doc.
As for my asymmetry, it's still there. Not sure if I'm getting used to it or if it's actually improving, but to me it's not as glaringly out of whack as it was a few weeks ago. My husband on the other hand says it hasn't changed. So I don't know what to think. I will post some pictures here in the next few days for you ladies to evaluate! I need an unbiased 3rd party opinion!
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March 20, 2019
Have you got your period yet? Just curious how your doing?
April 2, 2019
Yay! My period finally started! Just shy of the 3 month mark my gyno was waiting for to see me, it finally started! Hopefully everything goes back to normal now.