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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Revision REVIEWS

65 Yrs,ruptured Implants From1977,exchange Also of New Implants. Northbrook, IL

ORIGINAL POST

Silicone implants were found to be ruptured in Oct...

donnamalJanuary 23, 2016
WORTH IT$4,745
Silicone implants were found to be ruptured in Oct.,for years I had had so much inertia,in got worse in the last six months.once I found Out they were ruptured, I wanted them out asap, as I felt nausea, and many joint aches,and the overwhelming fatigue.I started seeking out plastic surgeons,thru my insurance plan.I knew insurance would prob.no cover my surgery, due to the fact the i,plants were cosmetically placed origianlly.I was surprised to find that my insurance might cover the removal tho, due to health problems from them.I went to a surgeon in Lake Forest first, only to be told that they would not even try to to bill insurance, cause they never covered these surgeries done cosmetically.Even tho I explained I had already spoke with my insurance, and that they might cover some expense, they said nope, they wouldnt bill them and I would have to pay all up front, but that I could consult with them and they would bill for that.I said no, never mind, I would try elsewhere.i was getting a bit frustrated, because I was getting so sick and achy.My search then luckily brought me to Mae Plastic Surgery of Northbrook.From the moment I stepped thru the office, I was treated with care,dignity, and welcome by the entire staff.Receoption was efficient, friendly and accomadating with scheduling.Jill, their coordinator is a real treasure, dealing with my insurance company for me, and just being encouraging and efficient and just a real nice person!Ah...now Dr.Daniel Krochmal.......my consult with this doctor was an experience I have never had with a doctor,patient one ever before!He explained everything in Great detail of the procedures, what I could have done, or not done.He has such an engaging personality,and such hmor, and after talking with him, I went away totally trusting in His abilities to help me, I had complete confidence that he was the one to do my surgery.i opted to have the implants removed and replaced with the new kind the Doctor showed me, and he explained everything of what would take place before,during , and after,The surgery was Jan 14.tHe day of the surgery,I met Erin, the nurse,once again a stellar member of this Mae group, and the anethesiologist.They kept me calm and ready to do the surgery.The surgery went so well.....even thos it must have been difficult to remove all those years worth of leaks and old implants.I had extremely minimal pain, and that was only when I woke up in the surgery room when it was over, more of slight discomfort than a tual pain, they gave me some pain killers and took care of that.I never had any more pain after that, I was amazed.My new implants look so much better than the origianals ever did, more natural than ever!I had told Doctor Dan to be the judge of what he implants to use, he had ordered many sizes to see which would be right, and he got it perfect!This Mae group is very exacting about the care they give you,they leave no stone unturned!I am recovering very nicely, I was able to go back to work after five days, even thos I felt better right away, I didnt push the work thing.I cant believe that now,one week later ,I feel like a fog has been lifted from my body and I feel really connected with life again!Doctor Dan Krochmal is the most amazing doctor, so brilliant and engaging!All i. All this experience with MAE has returned my life back to me.Dr. Krochmal,YOU are the true ROCK STAR!

donnamal's provider

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS

Daniel Krochmal, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (19)

donnamal
January 30, 2016
Haha I can see I should have edited a lot of my spelling mistakes and mis-keys!
donnamal
January 30, 2016
No comment
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BethH
February 2, 2016
Glad you feel well and love your new look! Congratulations on your revision. Do you recall what size your new implants are? Thank you for sharing your story with us on RealSelf!
donnamal
February 3, 2016
I will see my doctor for my three week checkup o. This Friday and I will ask him the exact size he used....I had such trust in him to use the right ones that i didnt even ask.....and he did a great job, considering one of the ruptured implants was worse than the other.Both now look great!
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BethH
February 3, 2016

That's great that you trusted your doctor to choose the perfect size implants for you. Yes, let us know what you find out at your check up!

donnamal
February 6, 2016
My implants are Natrelle 300cc.my checkups have been all fine, no complications,and they look and feel great.i trusted DR. Krochmal to put the right size in because since he was taking out very old implants that were leaking in different degrees, we were not sure just what kind of tissue issues there might be , so he wanted to be prepared in The moment to choose the ones that would give me the best look .He chose well...Imam very happy with the results.
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BethH
February 8, 2016

Thank you for sharing these helpful details. Good idea to choose the implant size at the time of surgery...it totally makes sense. Glad you're happy!!

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Naura
January 1, 2017
Well yes and no. Ultimately i went Back for a revision to enlarge so I guess it really is important for women to know what they want going in.
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BethH
January 3, 2017

I see your point @Naura...yes for some and no for others. ;) I'll go check out your story next!

R1h3278b1
February 3, 2016
I am 62, considering having my 20 year old implants redone. One ruptured abour 6 years ago, original surgeon had retired. The ruptured implant was replaced, but since that time, I do NOT have even a closely matching set. I'm having a hard time finding pictures of other ladies my age to gauge expected results. Would you consider posting "after" photos or can you refer me to other photos you used in your consideration? Thanks ever so much.
donnamal
February 3, 2016
i will post pics as soon as I can figure out how...I am kind of computer illerate.I am very pleased with the new implants, esp. How they feel, the other ones always felt too firm and skin tight..these are soft and not tight at all and look and feel more real...my doctor was so detail minded in getting mine right.....
zivia
February 3, 2016
Great story! I am 57 and thinking about having my 13 year old implants replaced because I have capsular contraction. How did you know that your implants were leaking? Did your health insurance end up paying for part of the surgery? Did you have a breast lift too? What make, model and size of implants did you get? Sorry for all the questions, but they will help me decide if I should replace or even simply remove my implants. The cc doesn't hurt now but I'm worried it could lead to a rupture later. Plus I am wondering if maybe my lethargy is related to leaking silicon or just my chronic depression (even though I am taking anti-depressants). I don't have any joint pain or other signs of leaky implants. Thanks!
donnamal
February 6, 2016
Hi!I knew back in Ovt.2015 that something was wrong...although I have had such horrible fatique for years, I started feeling nausea every day, like morning sickness.My joints were aching and I never had that before, then while showering, I felt a lump in my left breast.i went to my general doctor, he ordered mamaogram and ultra sound.And here I recommend, no matter what a doctor says, get an ultra sound and NOT a mammogram... The ultra sound would have told the story without going thru the pain and effects the mammogram gave me.The ultra sound showed both implants were leaking, the left one worse.At this point ,I just wanted them out of me, I couldnt lay on my left side and the right was getting that way too.My insurance ,after all deductibles, would pay to have the implants removed,because they were causing pain and suffering.Some companies will not do this.Medicare will do the same, but hard to find a good plastic surgeon that will bill medicare.I was to the point where I wouldnt have cared if they paid anythin, I needed them out!aS I have said, I was lucky to have found an excellent plastic surgery group and a most wonderful doctor.He told me the options.I could have them out and not replace, and get a breast lift.I could have them replaced with the new kind of implants,called gummy bears...the ones that are much better made.......to be continued.....I have to go pick up my car at work..I will continue this later to ite....
donnamal
February 6, 2016
Hi!I knew back in Ovt.2015 that something was wrong...although I have had such horrible fatique for years, I started feeling nausea every day, like morning sickness.My joints were aching and I never had that before, then while showering, I felt a lump in my left breast.i went to my general doctor, he ordered mamaogram and ultra sound.And here I recommend, no matter what a doctor says, get an ultra sound and NOT a mammogram... The ultra sound would have told the story without going thru the pain and effects the mammogram gave me.The ultra sound showed both implants were leaking, the left one worse.At this point ,I just wanted them out of me, I couldnt lay on my left side and the right was getting that way too.My insurance ,after all deductibles, would pay to have the implants removed,because they were causing pain and suffering.Some companies will not do this.Medicare will do the same, but hard to find a good plastic surgeon that will bill medicare.I was to the point where I wouldnt have cared if they paid anythin, I needed them out!aS I have said, I was lucky to have found an excellent plastic surgery group and a most wonderful doctor.He told me the options.I could have them out and not replace, and get a breast lift.I could have them replaced with the new kind of implants,called gummy bears...the ones that are much better made.I chise to have them replaced with the better implants,since a breast lift would have been more involved and i really did still didnt want to be flat again.I definity thing the lethargy you have is due to leaking implants.....I fell soooo much better since the leaking ones are out.....it was instant relief, just like my doctor told me it might be.the ones I had put in are Natrelle 300cc.i am happy to answer any other questions you may have.
donnamal
February 6, 2016
Hi!I knew back in Ovt.2015 that something was wrong...although I have had such horrible fatique for years, I started feeling nausea every day, like morning sickness.My joints were aching and I never had that before, then while showering, I felt a lump in my left breast.i went to my general doctor, he ordered mamaogram and ultra sound.And here I recommend, no matter what a doctor says, get an ultra sound and NOT a mammogram... The ultra sound would have told the story without going thru the pain and effects the mammogram gave me.The ultra sound showed both implants were leaking, the left one worse.At this point ,I just wanted them out of me, I couldnt lay on my left side and the right was getting that way too.My insurance ,after all deductibles, would pay to have the implants removed,because they were causing pain and suffering.Some companies will not do this.Medicare will do the same, but hard to find a good plastic surgeon that will bill medicare.I was to the point where I wouldnt have cared if they paid anythin, I needed them out!aS I have said, I was lucky to have found an excellent plastic surgery group and a most wonderful doctor.He told me the options.I could have them out and not replace, and get a breast lift.I could have them replaced with the new kind of implants,called gummy bears...the ones that are much better made.I chise to have them replaced with the better implants,since a breast lift would have been more involved and i really did still didnt want to be flat again.I definity thing the lethargy you have is due to leaking implants.....I fell soooo much better since the leaking ones are out.....it was instant relief, just like my doctor told me it might be.the ones I had put in are Natrelle 300cc.i am happy to answer any other questions you may have.
donnamal
February 6, 2016
Hi!I knew back in Ovt.2015 that something was wrong...although I have had such horrible fatique for years, I started feeling nausea every day, like morning sickness.My joints were aching and I never had that before, then while showering, I felt a lump in my left breast.i went to my general doctor, he ordered mamaogram and ultra sound.And here I recommend, no matter what a doctor says, get an ultra sound and NOT a mammogram... The ultra sound would have told the story without going thru the pain and effects the mammogram gave me.The ultra sound showed both implants were leaking, the left one worse.At this point ,I just wanted them out of me, I couldnt lay on my left side and the right was getting that way too.My insurance ,after all deductibles, would pay to have the implants removed,because they were causing pain and suffering.Some companies will not do this.Medicare will do the same, but hard to find a good plastic surgeon that will bill medicare.I was to the point where I wouldnt have cared if they paid anythin, I needed them out!aS I have said, I was lucky to have found an excellent plastic surgery group and a most wonderful doctor.He told me the options.I could have them out and not replace, and get a breast lift.I could have them replaced with the new kind of implants,called gummy bears...the ones that are much better made.I chise to have them replaced with the better implants,since a breast lift would have been more involved and i really did still didnt want to be flat again.I definity thing the lethargy you have is due to leaking implants.....I fell soooo much better since the leaking ones are out.....it was instant relief, just like my doctor told me it might be.the ones I had put in are Natrelle 300cc.i am happy to answer any other questions you may have.
donnamal
February 6, 2016
Hi!I knew back in Ovt.2015 that something was wrong...although I have had such horrible fatique for years, I started feeling nausea every day, like morning sickness.My joints were aching and I never had that before, then while showering, I felt a lump in my left breast.i went to my general doctor, he ordered mamaogram and ultra sound.And here I recommend, no matter what a doctor says, get an ultra sound and NOT a mammogram... The ultra sound would have told the story without going thru the pain and effects the mammogram gave me.The ultra sound showed both implants were leaking, the left one worse.At this point ,I just wanted them out of me, I couldnt lay on my left side and the right was getting that way too.My insurance ,after all deductibles, would pay to have the implants removed,because they were causing pain and suffering.Some companies will not do this.Medicare will do the same, but hard to find a good plastic surgeon that will bill medicare.I was to the point where I wouldnt have cared if they paid anythin, I needed them out!aS I have said, I was lucky to have found an excellent plastic surgery group and a most wonderful doctor.He told me the options.I could have them out and not replace, and get a breast lift.I could have them replaced with the new kind of implants,called gummy bears...the ones that are much better made.I chise to have them replaced with the better implants,since a breast lift would have been more involved and i really did still didnt want to be flat again.I definity thing the lethargy you have is due to leaking implants.....I fell soooo much better since the leaking ones are out.....it was instant relief, just like my doctor told me it might be.the ones I had put in are Natrelle 300cc.i am happy to answer any other questions you may have.
donnamal
February 6, 2016
What the heck?when I tried to post this reply, it kept saying error, so I hit post several times and now I see it posted a bazillion copies of this...I dont know how to erase four of these duplicates..so just ignore all my repeats please!
zivia
February 7, 2016
No problem! Thanks for your reply(ies)! I have a mammogram and ultrasound every year. The ultrasound has never shown any leaks, but I read somewhere that you need to have an MRI to tell if there are leaks. I had a problem with unexplained nausea a year or so ago, but it went away. Never thought it being connected to my implants but maybe. I am going to see a surgeon and see what she says. I don't want a breast lift either. I also don't want implants put under the muscle. Mine are on top now and it seems like a much easier surgery. I'm glad you are feeling better! Did it take you a while to start feeling better? How long does the silicon stay in your system? Did the doctor say how long the Natrelle implants should last? Is the $4,475 what you paid for after insurance paid for some of it? That seems totally worth it. Thanks again!
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