61 and Having Them Removed After 37 Years, Left One Ruptured and Silcone in Under Arm Lymph Node - Palm Springs, CA

Hi there, I just had my explantation on Monday. Sorry this post might be long but I will explain my story. It was explantation with capsulectomy, removal of all breast lumps and lymph node removal. I've had 2 sets of silicone implants since 1997. I don't have my own post with pictures as I have too many tattoos to identify who I am. I had been in terrible pain in my armpit area for years but attributed it to my job since I work on my feet and lift heavy objects all day long. My mammograms came back clear. I finally scheduled with a breast specialist who deals with mainly cancer patients to get some answers. More testing and the dr said I had over 12 lumps and a possible rupture which was silicone leaking causing the lumps and lymph node pain. Fast forward to a lot of me demanding surgery and something be done as well as assurance my "lumps" were benign. Insurance did cover it w/high deductible and copay though. Now I'm recovering from the surgery and my pathology came back clear on my "lumps". They were calcified silicone granulas from an extra capsular rupture. The silicone had migrated to my lymph nodes and therefore they needed to be removed as well. This was all something I suspected but the dr and the testing did not concur with before my surgery. I was told that at best I might have a "gel bleed" and only "microscopic silicone leakage". I specifically asked about my underarm (lymph node) pain and if they would be removed and was almost laughed at. It wasn't until surgery and I was opened up that the dr saw what I was feeling all these years. I see my dr Tuesday for my drain removal and will hopefully be able to return to work. This is such a journey and a process, but this forum has been such a godsend to me throughout the way. If there's anyway in which I can help, please let me know. Best to you! ;)

We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing...God Bless..

Hi there- I've followed your journey and your pictures look beautiful. I'm so sorry about your shingles outbreak. I've had it once and it's soooo painful, I can't imagine coming down w/it after surgery. How are you doing? As far as having silicone in your lymph nodes, I definitely would not want them (silicone) left in my body as my belief is that it isn't good for you. Drs say it's harmless but I think it doesn't belong there and can cause so many other problems. I was VERY demanding w/my oncologist that unless she could prove to me 100% my condition was "harmless" then she needed to explant "my way"! I insisted on the capsules being removed, all 12 lumps removed and sent for pathology and all sources of silicone removed. She said she would but that some microscopic traces of silicone might be left. I asked about my lymph nodes and it was her opinion they would be fine left in. However upon opening me up during surgery she stated my lymph nodes were full of silicone and definitely needed to come out. Whether she would have removed them or done a capsulectomy is really just based upon the dr. I researched what I believed was best for me and so therefore I believe my dr only was doing what I was demanding. I followed and read up about "healing breast implant illness" and will be trying to detox accordingly soon. I'm hoping to regain my health to where it should be and just feel good again! ;)

Question and feelings....My consultation is July 1 and I am really excited as I have said before I have done a lot of research and Dr. Quardt aka Dr.Q is my choice. I am normally a very positive person I am finding I am having some depression waiting for my appt. I want these out and this month is going so slow. I guess I am just venting. On the other side I am seeing just wonderful results and positive feedback from all of you, I know I will get out of this slump have to keep busy. Have any of you had this feeling waiting.

They look very natural. Sorry your going through that
Good luck and blessings

Let us know how it goes! I'm anxious to hear the answers to those questions as well- since my silicone implants ruptured as well, I'm curious to know what it will look like on a mammogram. And, if I should investigate getting my lymph nodes tested… Not sure how all that's done. Sigh... The quest for better health continues!!

Good luck with your doctor tomorrow! I think you will have a good outcome. My last review sounded like I was feeling really down- and I was that day- but I am so so happy I did this. Like you, I had silicone leaking but my doctor did a thorough wash-out, and removed the capsule, and used what tissue I had left to create my tiny ones. I would ask if your doctor has experience doing explants without replacements and what kind of internal "lifting" he does during the exploit. I did not know anything about this- but a doctor should do more than the explant- he or she has to do many internal stitches to sort of recreate the breast- I didn't ask anything about it, but have since found out that it is important. Anyway, this is probably old hat to him, and it will be great,,, so happy for you. You will feel lighter, your breasts will be warm and soft and natural! Let us know