I thought I should start this thread on breast implants. I don’t mean to discourage anyone but feel we all need to have improved knowledge of these implants while making decision. I know in some situations implants are unavoidable at least as a temporary measure particularly after BC surgery but full information may not be available at the time of dx and surgery.
I had a skin and muscle sparing mx and a temporary recon with silicone implant inserted 2 years ago after my Dx. I refused immediate LD reconstruction offered by my initial surgeon because it almost always involves putting an implant (he didn’t do dieps).
Just 3 weeks ago I had my diep when the implant was removed. For the last 18 months or so I had developed multiple joint and some muscle pain which has been causing problem for me. Myself and my treating team all blamed oestrogen deprivation caused by Tamoxifen for all this. In fact hip and knee joint pain was one of the reason I was so worried about my mobility and recovery after a big surgery like diep. After this diep operation my joint and muscle pains and stiffness have subsided quite a lot and I am wondering what was the cause? Was it the implant which was making me produce auto-antibodies against my own tissues??
Research is still ongoing on safety of implants and new information will keep coming. Breast implants were being used without FDA approval in USA for about 30 years (both for BC and for augmentation surgery) until silicone gel implants were withdrawn from market in 1992 due to safety issues. Results of subsequent studies did not come out with definite conclusions (due to studies being conducted on women who had implants only for relatively shorter period of time).
However results of several other studies showed some health hazards associated with breast implants, both local and systemic complications mainly Rheumatic like joint pains etc due to auto-immune like disorder associated with breast implants.
FORTUNATELY MOST WOMEN DO VERY WELL AFTER HAVING IMPLANTS AND HAVE NO SIDE EFFECTS.
Please see attached link for more information as it might help while making decision.
Best wishes.
breastimplantinfo.org/augment/implantfacts.html
hi Ruhi, i had a mx last november, and i am hoping to have mx on the other side early next year,
i wouldnt even consider having implants i have decided against reconstruction too,
i am 45 years old, and i have had people say to me its a long time to be without breasts, some days it does bother me, but others it doesnt,
everyone is different i know, its never been an option for me,
best wishes Liz xx
Hi
This is my first posting and thought I would share my experience. In July 2009 I had a mastectomy on my left breast, and had a tissue expander inserted under the muscle. In the October I had an implant inserted, I was never happy with the result it depressed me, I spoke to my consultant and she suggested another implant which was more of a tear drop shape and in Febuary this year had it inserted. I am really pleased with the result I can now wear a bra without adding padding, which I had to do with the first implant. I also used to have a feeling of numbness under my armpit, the second operation seems to have cured this.
The reason I had an implant was because before I had cancer I was widowed, then met someone and moved in with him, then was diagnosed with breast cancer. The relationship was new and I felt I needed to do everything I could to get back to being me. I have no worries or fears about the implant leaking, I can even lie on my front in bed. I am 60 this year and I can honestly say that I no longer feel my body is unsightly the second implant has done the trick.
As you say we all have our reasons to either have implants or not. I tend to think that they have now been around for such a long time the flaws that existed back then have now been ironed out.
Helen
Hi
re breast implants: I had a MX two months ago with immediate reconstruction using an implant, you now have me very worried '.
Dear All
Thanks for the posts. It is good to learn from other’s experience. We all know that we are all different and we know for various medical problems there are various treatment options which includes procedures, prosthesis etc. Fortunately side-effects or complications do not happen to all. Many people have had implants for many years with no side-effects. Unfortunately I had complications like breast pain, contracture due to a formation of a tough capsule around the implant, debilitating joint/muscle pains etc and had to get rid of it. The reason I started this post is that breast implant insertion is a major decision and we need to know more and be aware of side-effects so that medical team can be approached when signs of side effects become apparent.
Dear camper, please don’t worry so much. You may be absolutely fine like many others. My best wishes are with you and everyone else.
Lots of love. xxx
Hi Ruhi,
thanks for that Im fine now wobble over, I have got a question though does anyone with implants notice that after a hot day like today they swell up, Is this normal? and what would happen if I went abroad? xxx
Hi Camper,
Sorry to know about the swelling. My breast (implant) used to get slightly swollen and a bit uncomfortable at times specially after exercise. We couldn’t figure out the exact reason for this and I had just accepted it as it always used to settle down after a few hours.
Best wishes.
To be quite honest - putting “I hope this helps” at the end of saying "There is also some evidence that patients with breast implants are more likely to develop some kind of cancers (e.g. brain, lung). Well actually NO it does not help!!
I have a LD reconstruction with an implant - I did not have enough of a tummy to have anything other than this. I’m not a worrier and so will take the comment with a pinch of salt - but you may certainly have given other ladies something to worry about!
I am sorry if my message got misinterpreted. I was only trying to help with some extra information and posted the link. Thought it might help while making decision. That’s all.
Best wishes.