POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Mother of 2, Wondering if Implants Are Making Me Sick, Hoping to Be Able to Keep Breast Feeding.
ORIGINAL POST
I currently have 19 year old saline implants...
drfang16October 3, 2016
$2,100
I currently have 19 year old saline implants placed under the muscle. I breast fed my now 3 year old daughter and am still nursing my 15 month old son. Besides the problems that are almost surely caused by the implants ( chest pains, numbness and tingling in both arms, back/neck pain) I've also been experiencing lots of strange symptoms. Severe adrenal fatigue, foot pain, and low ferritin (iron stores). I've been on iron supplements for a year and eat very clean food and my numbers haven't gone up at all. I'm at the point where I'm considering getting an IV iron infusion so I can stop feeling fatigued. I'm wondering if the chronic inflammation from having these foreign objects in my body is the root cause for all my issues.
I want to get these implants out sooner than later. I didn't even know that it was possible to have them removed (or I would have done it sooner), but thanks to you brave ladies I know what to expect. I'm hoping I can continue to breast feed during this adventure, but my health has deteriorated so much, I think I'd be better off just getting them out and healing so I can be present for my kids.
I have a consult with a PS on Oct. 6th and will update after I meet with him.
Questions I have for him:
1) Can I continue breast feeding?
2) Can the procedure be done with local anesthesia?
3) Is it important to remove the entire capsule?
4) Can the implants be cultured for bacteria and fungus?
5) How long will I need help? I have two young children and I'm not sure how I'm going to not be able to rest my pectoralis muscles!
Any other questions I should be asking? Anyone out there have experience with either mystery illnesses resolving post-explant? Anyone have experience continuing to breast feed post-explant?
Thank you for all your stories!
I want to get these implants out sooner than later. I didn't even know that it was possible to have them removed (or I would have done it sooner), but thanks to you brave ladies I know what to expect. I'm hoping I can continue to breast feed during this adventure, but my health has deteriorated so much, I think I'd be better off just getting them out and healing so I can be present for my kids.
I have a consult with a PS on Oct. 6th and will update after I meet with him.
Questions I have for him:
1) Can I continue breast feeding?
2) Can the procedure be done with local anesthesia?
3) Is it important to remove the entire capsule?
4) Can the implants be cultured for bacteria and fungus?
5) How long will I need help? I have two young children and I'm not sure how I'm going to not be able to rest my pectoralis muscles!
Any other questions I should be asking? Anyone out there have experience with either mystery illnesses resolving post-explant? Anyone have experience continuing to breast feed post-explant?
Thank you for all your stories!
Replies (11)
October 4, 2016
About your question regarding symptoms look up breast implant illness. There are a few support groups which may help answer some questions.
October 4, 2016
Please visit http://healingbreastimplantillness.com/
Yes, your symptoms are legit!!! I have the same ones. I also have hypo thyroidism AND adrenal fatigue. I AM EXHAUSTED all the time. I am hoping to get my saline breast implants out before the end of the year.
Yes, your symptoms are legit!!! I have the same ones. I also have hypo thyroidism AND adrenal fatigue. I AM EXHAUSTED all the time. I am hoping to get my saline breast implants out before the end of the year.

October 5, 2016
I'm also researching having my implants removed. One thing I've learned so far is that different doctors have very different views on implants, so if you don't find the answers you're looking for on your first consult, try another doctor. I posted a question on the doctor boards here and five doctors gave me a variety of answers. Unfortunately, the doctor who had the view I would want in a doctor isn't in my area, but it gives me hope that I can find someone with a plan that align with my own.
Good luck with your appointment.
Good luck with your appointment.
March 24, 2017
So glad I saw your post! I am also a mom to a 3 year old and a 16 month old whom I'm still breastfeeding. I have 13 year old saline implants placed under the muscle and although I'm not experiencing any issues with them, I want them out ASAP, like preferably before summer so I can actually feel comfortable in a bathing suit and sundress (right now these round perky boobs do jot match my postpartum body and IMO look super obviously fake). My only issue is too that I'm breastfeeding and really don't want to give it up entirely though my son is starting to wean himself. My third consult is next Friday and I'm hoping with all I've learned, I can finally find a PS who will understand my situation and still give me the green light. Please keep me posted and best of luck to you!! :)

September 17, 2017
UPDATED FROM drfang16
3 months pre
First consult
drfang16October 8, 2016
I just went to my first consult on Thursday. Dr. Sadove was pretty much game for whatever I wanted. Although he mentioned the possibility of replacing implants, as soon as I said I was done with them he didn't push at all. Although he preferred that I stop breast feeding before explanting, he said that really no breast tissue would be involved in the surgery site since my implants are under the muscle, and would do the procedure whenever I was ready. He wasn't very keen on using local anesthesia, but said he would do local with IV sedation, if that's what I wanted. He said he would remove the capsule if I wanted to, but my capsules seem to be very, very thin and he didn't think it was necessary. He also said he would be willing to send in a part of my capsule for pathology, as well as take cultures of the outside of the implant to check for biofilm if that's what I wanted to do, although he didn't think it was necessary. He did say he would place drains for 4 days, which seems like it would complicate continuing to breast feed. I think my current plan is to wait until the end of January (need to make sure I can get adequate help lined up). Also, I think by then I can probably have the baby weaned down to twice a day feedings. By then he'll be 19, almost 20 months old. If I need to wean I won't feel super guilty and if I can keep breast feeding then great.
Replies (1)
March 23, 2017
I can appreciate your posts. I have two small children too and I'm worried how post-op will effect them. I wonder how I'll be able to avoid picking them up for a week. I have my consult Tuesday so I'm eager to here what they'll say. Thanks for sharing your story. I'd love input on bras too. So many options!!
UPDATED FROM drfang16
2 months post
New Consult and Surgery Date Set!
drfang16March 17, 2017
I went to another consult with a different PS. Dr. Gaines and his staff were very knowledgeable. He had no problem doing the procedure with local anesthetic only, and thought it would be pretty simple. Also, much less expensive than first consult, given the fact that I won't need an anesthesiologist or an OR. He doesn't require drains, which is a big plus with 2 small children. I set a surgery date of 4/5/17. I will post before and after pictures soon!
I'd love post-surgical sports/compression bra recommendations from anyone who loved their bra.
I'd love post-surgical sports/compression bra recommendations from anyone who loved their bra.
Replies (1)
March 28, 2017
I see that you've set a surgery date. I really hope you'll continue to research, and I hope you've checked out the different Facebook Support Groups for women who are being made sick by their implants. I would be really leary of a Dr. who could do this without anesthesia and without drains. If you have a rupture or a leak, it could be much more involved. Most of us who have been through it had to undergo a lot of "scraping" to get all of the implant and capsule off of our ribs and other tissue. I drained for 9 days before my levels of output slowed enough to remove the drains. I know it sounds easier, but fastest, easiest and cheapest is not always a good thing. Please take a little time to check out the list of Doctor's who are super experienced with this surgery. My friend wound up with all kinds of problems by using the same plastic surgeon who put them in. She's now had 9 more surgeries trying to correct the mess that he left inside of her.
I wish you the best of luck. If you suspect they're the problem, I guarantee you're right.
I wish you the best of luck. If you suspect they're the problem, I guarantee you're right.
Welcome, and thanks so much for sharing your story with us! I hope you'll get lots of support from this awesome community. Have you browsed the Breast Implant Removal forum yet? It's full of good tips and information. Here's a popular post to give you a bit of a taster. Good luck, and please keep us updated :)
Breast Implant Removal Tips (Pre-op, Surgery Day, and Post-op)