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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

My Implants Are Silicone and 34 Years Old - Redding, CA

ORIGINAL POST

I'm 64 years old, have put on 50 weight. I was 29...

Judy C.March 19, 2014
$10,000
I'm 64 years old, have put on 50 weight. I was 29 and 105 pounds when I had the silicone implants put in. From the time I had them put in, I have had pain and burning off and on up till a month ago. Now I have constant aching in left breast mostly, both underarms and down to both elbows. I have sharp jabbing pain just about every day. Now today when I went to see the Dr. to see about having them removed because of told both have ruptured, he tells me the pain will never go away, even if I have them removed. The removal I was told I could expect, muscel loss, bits of silicone will still be left because its impossible for all to be removed and where I have silicone lumps, when they are removed will leave dents and eventually go flat. I was hoping that going through all this removal, the big costs I have to put out, insurance not pay but very little, will I truly have the pain still after removal or leaving them in, will they be the death of me. Can anyone tell me if leaving them in will be the death of me or will I truly be without pain if they are removed?

Judy C.'s provider

Curtis Wong, MD

Curtis Wong, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (20)

bigmistake82
March 22, 2014
Judy C. I am right there with you. I was 24 years old and 105 lbs when I had my silicone implants put in. I am now 56 and about 145 lbs. I have one ruptured for sure and am going for two consultations next week. I can only speak from what I have read on here and research on the web, but those things need to come out. You need a really good explant doctor that will do their very best to remove the silicone. Have you researched Dr Susan Kolb? She has a book that I ordered called "The Naked Truth About Breast Implants" that tells the horrors of implants. It has been very helpful to me. Also, on YouTube she talks about implants. I think it would be helpful for you to check that out. It sounds like we are in the same place in our implant journey which feels like a nightmare to me at this point. Please keep us updated and my prayers go up for you!
Judy C.
March 23, 2014
I've decided to have my implants taken out as soon as possible since I continually have such pain every day. sleeping at night is the worst time. I just want the pain gone but the doctor tells me they don't cause pain. I pray he is wrong about that since I have read some ladies pain , do go away! I'm waiting to be pre-approved by my surgeon Dr. Wong. After three months after the removal, than I can have a lift. I'm really concerned about the removal. Was told that it was impossible to get all the silicone out. The size of the end of a pencil will be left in places but the body will desolve them. I pray to God that he's right! Its all so very scary to me. It feels good to hear from someone and that I'm not alone and they are praying for me. I will for you also girl. Thankyou!
bigmistake82
March 23, 2014
I'm glad you are going ahead with the removal. Many ladies on here have reported their pain being gone afterward. I pray that will be the case for you also. I really don't have pain but I know if there is a rupture things will only get worse. I do notice that over the past year or so I seem to stay sick. Mine is sinus infections and upper respiratory that just wont go away. I have been on antibiotics 4 times over the last 5 months and am scheduled for a CT scan soon. I don't know if it has anything to do with the implants, but it seems like my immune system is so low I stay sick all of the time. I am dreading this surgery more than anything I've ever done in my life and I've had many surgeries over the years. I'm just terrified over this. I am also so embarrassed to let anyone know - my adult kids don't even know I have implants. Not so sure I can keep this surgery a secret. Will your doctor not do the lift at the time of explant? I would love to not need a lift, but I'm sure that will not be the case. Please keep in touch!
OrdinaryGirl
March 23, 2014
Same here BigMistake.. Only 3 people have ever know. I'm also having a lumpectomy at same time.. So worried some family that doesn't know will be there and Dr will come in or nurse and something will be said & questions asked... Ughhhh trying keep it low key so people don't know my surgery date.. When It's over then they can visit.. When I am home!
Judy C.
March 26, 2014
Its hard to know if this garbage causes the immune system harder to fight off things.. I feel in my heart it has too! I to have sinus infections going on all the time . I hope it won't be something not good to have,when I have the surgery. So many women say the same things going on with them. Its got to be this rotten garbage. Were not all having the same body problems. They are covering it up and covering there butts! What a mess they have created without checking all things out first before giving women hope of feeling better about there self and putting this silicone in us knowing it can't be a good thing for us all...... Im scared also girl of this surgery. Dr. Wong told me that they would be removing some of the muscel to get the silicone out. my lumps when removed will leave a dents and than go flat and the thought of it not all able to come out of me concerns me big time. Im still waiting for the insurance company to approve the surgery and that will take two weeks or so. My doctor told me I could have the removal and lift at once but I chose to have the removal done first, than things calm down, get some of my weight off since I have put on way too much and than in three months go for the lift. Im hoping I will have better results. I know I won't look perky like before because it will only be me. Thats depressing also after 34 years of having my breast and than very little after the surgery. Its all so hard to deal with. I pray God gives you the peace inside and that all will turn out good for you also. I will let you know when its going to come upon me. Family needs to be there and give you the support and understanding girl. Don't do it alone. I have 5 sisters and two brothers. They are all concerned for me and I need there love and support to get me through this. We are prayers and talk to God alot these days. We need each other. you will need it too sweetie. Don't do it alone..... God Bless.
Judy C.
March 26, 2014
Hi Big mistake, I wrote back to you Mar. 25th. I know you as well as a couple other women have the concern of family members knowing and don't care for them to know or find out. If something happened to you while in surgery, they would have hard feelings towards you for not telling them so they can pray for you, give you the family support and truly, we all need the support and understanding of what we are going through because it is truly scarey and devistating(sp) to us all because, our bodies will change and we won't be like we were for so long with the implants on. IT will break our spirits for a while. Its like having a masectomy to us! Excuse my spelling. Its not the best but do my best. Its going to be very hard for me without my bigger breast. Men make big deals out of women with large breast and when your small, it made me feel less of a woman. It did before and so I had them done. It gave me this inner peace of feeling whole. A whole woman! Now Im going back to that but I don't want to deal with what this silicone is doing to my whole body. I want to feel better and hopefully I will! Its just dealing with the mental problems of what we are left with. Its truly hard for a women and my heart hurts for you all because you are faced with all the emotional garbage we are left with after the removal. I pray for all my dear new friends that are going through it with me. God Bless you family that understands what your going through if you let them in, God Bless you the inner peace from having the silicone out of you and God Bless us all good results that we can live with and not give us heart ache or mental struggles of what we are left with. Jesus name I pray this for all my Dear friends. God please get us all through all the Garbage we have to face......... Take care and keep in touch. I want to know how you are all doing. Im still waiting for the insurance to approve my surgery, so we are doing the waiting game for now. Talk to ya later. Judy C.
bigmistake82
March 26, 2014
It's good to hear from you Judy C. I totally agree with you about needing support and prayers from our family and I do have my husband and mother who are there for me. I'm just embarrassed to have my young adult sons to even know I would do this to myself. If I feel the time is right I will tell them. I am so happy today because yesterday the Lord sent me a wonderful, caring surgeon to do my removal. She was so encouraging and didn't even think I should have a lift. She will remove implants, capsules, and any silicone through my original incision (the underside of the nipple) She also made me feel so much better about the surgery (I felt like it was a mastectomy also). Today has been the best day I have had in a long time. I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off me! Now to wait and see if insurance will cover the cost. (PS thinks it will) And the cost was another worry - what a waste of money to fix something I did to myself! Now I feel like everything is going to be fine! Please keep in touch.
Judy C.
March 27, 2014
Good to hear from you and good news girl. Im so glad the Lord gave you peace with a women doctor that makes you feel good about the surgery. I wish my did. He's the only one here in Redding that takes my insurance and going three hours away for another one scares me if something happens. So I stay with Dr. Wong. Did your doctor tell you that she needed to do "Dog Ears" is what he called them under your breast? They are three wrinkles. Three layers of skin is what it looks like. It looks terrible. Not smooth underneath like a breast looks. Can you tell me if she said that she would be doing that to you? Also did she tell you that she would be able to get all the silicone or would it be total to get it all. just little bits here and there the size of a end of a pen but the body would desolve them? Can you please tell me if she did say the same thing? Im so glad you have your husband and mother there supporting you. You will need the help after surgery for a few weeks I understand. maybe its just the first week so you don't have to do lifting or anything. Your young son, Id probable we the same about him knowing also. Your silicone must have been put on top of the muscel, mine is underneath and the incision is under my breast. Didn't go through the nipple. I'm so happy for you my Dear friend. Im glad you believe in the Lord Jesus because he will get you through. He already has started taking care of you. Please keep in touch and let me know about my questions.
Judy C.
March 27, 2014
Big mistake 82 There was one part in my comment where I put "TOTAL" instead it should have been "impossible" to get all the silicone out. Judy C.
bigmistake82
March 27, 2014
Hey Judy C, I've never heard anything called "Dog Ears" she didn't mention that. Is that what he is going to do? Have you seen that anywhere else on here? I just don't even like the sound of it, do you? She said she would get all of the silicone out and she uses a solution made for the silicone that maybe helps loosen what is stuck on. She said inside would be very clean and also uses an antibiotic inside too. She did say she would make sure she got all of the silicone. My implants are under the muscle (how the original PS got them through the incision in my nipple and up under the muscle is beyond me) She made it sound like such a simple surgery and I guess after doing reconstructive breast surgery on cancer patients it probably is. She really made me feel like I would look fine after it's all over without a lift. I guess in my mind I felt like she would tell me how horrible I will look and that I absolutely must have a lift. It made me feel so much better to hear a doctor finally say that years ago she thought implants just couldn't be removed without replacing them or at least a lift, but she has seen many patients that look fine after a little time goes by. I'm just keeping that thought in my mind and if I look horrible in about a year then I'll think about a lift. I'm so glad she didn't pressure me into it now. I really want as little done as possible at this point and I guess most of us feel this way. And yes Judy the Lord heard my prayers and sent help and peace right on time. He has never let me down and I know He will carry me through this little storm too. It's so nice to be able to talk to you and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Judy C.
March 30, 2014
Ordinary Girl, This is Judy C. I hope those three people that know will be there for you. You will need the support and certainly when you get home, the help. Do you have the silicone implants also? What garbage they put in all of us and not letting us know about everything about them. I didn't even know you are to have them in for 10 years only. Know one told me anything. So here mine are 34 years old and Im a older woman now. So it won't be as easy on me as it was when I was 29. Im 64 now and alot heavier. Anyway I know you have the fear of people finding out in your family. If you don't want the doctor coming out or nurse and saying anything, give them instructions of not telling anyone anything but , you only you came out of the surgery fine and they will have to get the rest from you. Are you not close to your family? Im sure if you are a close family, they would truly understand but other wise a lot of un-needless worrying will be going on and might leave some upset with you. If you and your family believe in the Lord they can pray for you also before surgery.Prayer does help girl. I hope I didn't step on your toes. I just want to be your friend and help find you peace from the worry. God Bless you inner peace from all the worry.
OrdinaryGirl
March 23, 2014
I've had mine for 30 yrs & my health declined 12 yrs ago at age 43. I was told them must come out, no if's about it. All due to the age of them! I believe it will help my health & yours!! We've slowly been poisoned! Focus on the positive & trust your feelings. Dr. Kolb's book has opened my eyes. I got it on my kindle through Amazon, have read it twice now. The more I google and research the more my gut feeling is they are toxic bags & we'll improve once they are out. Good luck.. Blessings.
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cswong
March 28, 2014
Ms. C: Dr Wong here... I'm sorry I did not communicate clearly with you what was planned. First, you are assuming the pains are related to your implants. If they are, removal will resolve your pains. If not, your pains may not go away. No surgeon can guarantee complete removal of the older silicone implants and I'm just being forthright with you. I will certainly do my best to remove everything but simply cannot guarantee it. If you find a surgeon who will guarantee it in writing, then I have to suggest seeing that surgeon. As for muscle removed, you are talking about strands and not muscle bodies... these strands are sometimes stuck to the capsule. Contour irregularities can occur with any surgery and the one you are considering is not different. Antibiotic solutions will be utilized in washing out the silicone. As for the dog ears, that would only result from a vertical mastopexy and not from the explant. I hope this helps and I encourage you to simply contact me for more information about anything that you may be wondering about. Curtis Wong, MD
Judy C.
March 28, 2014
Dr. Wong, I'm sorry Dr. Wong . Hope I didn't upset you. I was wanting to get a second opinion on a couple things that I evidently was assuming on. My sister and I both took you wrong and the pictures of two other ladies you shown us, concerned my sister as well as I and left us doubts. I have been so scared and depressed from our visit that my mind has been going crazy. I want to say thank you so much for clarifying my doubts and easing my mind about the Pain being gone or might not, the silicone removal and what will be left will be gone, the removal of muscle that is not what I thought and those Dog Ears that scared me. I didn't want them but needed to know the reasoning of them. Patients have to trust there doctors and this kind of surgery is scaring me. Thank you for giving my mind peace and restoring my faith in you as my doctor. Your letter helped me a lot. Thank you Dr. Wong. I will call you if any other questions. Judy C.
Judy C.
March 28, 2014
Hi Big Mistake- Thank you for writing back to me. I was wondering if anyone out there heard about the Dog Ears. They are strange looking and any women would be scared of seeing those under their breast. You want them looking smooth and normal, even if they are smaller. Not with layers of skin underneath. After writing to you I wrote questions to a Board Certified doctor to get a second opinion about the removal of the silicone implants being able to remove all the silicon and about what happens to the ones unable to get. also those " Dog Ears". If any other doctors did this procedure and there purpose. I disliked the Dog Ears and they scared me. The thought of loose skin hanging under the breast looked ugly. Nothing pretty about the look. Anyway I never thought that Dr. Wong would be the doctor to write to me. I'm so embarrassed but I just wanted a second opinion and I wanted to feel less afraid of my doctor. We evidently misunderstood and he didn't clarify clearly in the office. I needed his letter and God must have known I did because I finally have peace about it all. I told my boyfriend of his letter, read it to him and he said he felt good about him and has no doubt that he will do right by me. I was so happy for you and having that inner peace finally inside and I wanted it also from my doctor. I prayed to God last night asking for the same inner peace as you than Dr. Wong wrote this letter. You should have seen the look on my face when it was his letter. Felt weird and embarrassed. Thank You God for my answered prayer and Dr. Wong's letter reassuring me of my questions that should have been resolved before in his office but we had miscommunication going on. Inspite of the constant pain in my breast going on mostly in the evenings I feel better about my doctor now. We have to have confidence in them and know we will be okay and not look like a something that will mess us up mentally afterwards. This is truly a scarey thing we women are all having to face. We need to feel good about our selves and the results from the surgery. We know we won't be the same as we were with the implants in but just want to look normal as much as possible. Right? God sure is good with answering prayers. I feel better now about the surgery and my doctor where I once had doubts but I will be okay. Thank you for your letters Big Mistake. Means a lot to me. Please let me know when your surgery is and I will pray for you. Lots of people praying, that support group.......is a good thing. Judy C.
bigmistake82
March 28, 2014
I just saw Dr Wong's comments and he sounds like he is a good doctor. I know you were very embarrassed and shocked that it was him! Don't worry about it because you have been stressed about the whole thing and I'm sure he realizes that. I am so happy you feel good now about the surgery and there's nothing like peace when you just know everything's going to be ok. Keep praying for me and I will for you. Now my prayer is for insurance to cover the costs, but I just know the Lord will take care of that too. I will let you know when I hear anything else. Keep your head up and enjoy the answered prayer and peace!
Judy C.
March 29, 2014
Thank you Big Mistake, Thank you for your prayers and I will keep you in mine also. You seem like a sweet lady and glad I met you and the caring support you give me is much appreciated. You are so right about peace inside knowing all will be okay. This surgery is a big deal and we have a right to be worried but the Good Lord will take care of us and he is. I know he will take care of the insurance covering the cost also. I pray most of mine will be covered because having to come up with such a big amount is stressful as it is and where is it going to come from when you don't have it. It sounds like we are both in the same boat. I will let you know whats going on with me when I hear something also. Like the appointment. Maybe we will go at the same time. I know it will be awhile before we can do anything without straining or causing problems. Not sure how long we will be laid up. Thats something I have yet to ask the Dr. When we had the implants put in I remember it was a month before I could do anything. So maybe its the same this time too. We will see... Good night my friend and God Bless you a good rest. Judy C.
Judy C.
March 30, 2014
Hi Big Mistake, Can I ask where you live? I live in Redding, Ca. If we live close by, it would be nice to meet you and than if you don't want to go there, that's okay too. Do you get pain everyday or a break from the pain once in a while? Times for me it gets pretty bad and nothing helps. Other times its just a bad tooth ache. I was just curious if you had the same going on. I looked up what Dog Ears were for me as well as you and...... its done if the doctor thinks the incision is going to go into the cleavage area or too far, so they do the dog ears and than later through local anaesthesia do the reduction of the scare. I think I would like to not go back to re-do the clean up and skip the Dog Ears. So now you know what they are and why they do them. Im a retired hair dresser and one of my ladies had a face lift and the doctor put dog ears, under her ears on both sides. I would think doing a face lift, you wouldn't need that at all. I told her to go back at the time and have the doctor correct the mistake not aware of the dog ears done. Looks to weird to me and don't feel there is a need for them but Im not a doctor either. Just looks too strange to me. Either way, I know you were asking about them. So if anyone brings up the "Dog Ears" you will know what they are talking about. Take care friend. We are finally having some sun shine and no rain at the moment, so that s a good thing that makes you have energy for the day.Yaeeee GodBless my friend.
bigmistake82
March 30, 2014
Hi Judy C, I live near Atlanta, GA so I'm across the country from you. I don't really have pain only occasionally a little burning and a few pains. Not a regular thing though. I do have sharp pains in the right one (it's ruptured for sure) if I run or do a lot of physical exercise. Mine is more of a heaviness and a pulling feeling in the right. Doctor said that is scar tissue. You take care too and please keep in touch! Have a great Sunday!
Judy C.
March 30, 2014
Big Mistake, that certainly is far away. Shoot! was a good thought. So we are friends from afar....... Im glad you don't have the terrible pain all the time like some of us have. I hope you never do. Will be so glad when its out of my body and Im sure you will be too. Please keep in touch and enjoy your day also. Im taking my dog for a walk!
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