I had a mastectomy & reconstruction 10 years ago & now my prothesis is beginning to look as if it needs replaceing as it is lumpy at the base, dimpling at the top & seems to be shifting sideways. I would like some info from anyone who has had theirs replaced, their experience, how was the surgery & was it as successful as the first. I thought I was prepared for this but now it has happened I find I am in a panic. Thanks
Surely there must be someone out there who has had to have their implant changed. I would love to hear about their experience. As I have had no replies I am afraid no one had anything good to report. Please help.
Hi Patti,
I can’t help you I’m afraid as have no relevant experience. Perhaps if you start another thread with “implant” in the title you may get more responses - I must admit that I thought you were referring to an external prosthesis such as I had following my mastectomy.
Good luck, and hope you hear from others with some helpful advice,
Jx
When I was in hosp having my mx their was a lady in the next bed getting her implant changed. Like you I think she had it over 10 yrs. She came in in the morning, got her op in the afternoon and was kept in overnight and out the next morning. I didnt keep in touch with her but she seemed very well.
Hope you get on ok.
Carolyn x
Hi Patti,
My situation is a bit different to yours but may be relevant. I had bilateral mx and immediate recon with expander implants in 2008.
A year on the expander implants were very uncomfortable and moving towards my arm pits so I had operation to exchange them for permanent silicone implants.
The surgery took only an hour - they opened the original mx scars to exchange the implants - may depend on whether you have nipple reconstruction (I haven’t). I spent one night in hospital and had 3 weeks off work. Felt pretty well after the first week - just avoided lifting, driving etc. for a while. The shape and position of the new implants was a huge improvement, though they have hardened recently.
The only negative was going back into the hospital environment again which brought back some of the trials and tribulations of the diagnoses and mx.
Hopefully you will see an improvement as implants have developed alot over the last few years.
Good luck with it.
Misha
Thank you ladies - it has helped. I have now seen my surgeon & am having a silicone implant this time. It would seem it can be done as a day case or overnight stay. I am a great gym & swim person guess I will have to stop that for a while. How long before you could drive again?