As anyone had a failed silicone implant?

[rosie14]

I understand. I resent not being able to travel when I want to or flying so soon after procedures and not being able to carry bags around airport! I am facing this again on Wednesday when we return to UK and France for 2 weeks visiting our children and grandchildren!

[jillybee]

Was offered the 7th.....but as need a drain,or 2, then steroid injection need a continual 2/3 weeks at home.I have booked to fly to Budapest and go to Latitude festival.My surgeon is away for most of August.To be honest am glad I gave a few weeks hospital free....despite poorly tummy.I am making plans......holidays etc.Everything for a reason. ...

[rosie14]

Yes riverside dawn I had nearly 6 weeks of radiotheraphy last Oct/ Nov!
jillybee can't you be seen in July it's a long time to wait put your foot down!!😁

[jillybee]

I agree...totally false looking...in fact,they look odd.Always want to shout at the TV or magazine when I see these photos.Just had call from BCN.... My surgeon is away all of August,would it be alright if I see her September 8th.....of course it is....just keep on wearing my lovely binder😝......seroma is not going anywhere.

[riversidedawn]

Totally agree Rosie. My surgeon keeps talking about when we replace the expander with silicon we could do an uplift on the other side. Woah! Not sure if I can even face the replacement yet.

Did you have radiotherapy? I'm in the middle at the mo and that's made my expander tight.

[rosie14]

I can't understand why some women do it for enhancement!!!!🙀

[jillybee]

Rosie,first of all,no don't work....Retired for 4 years!
I had a saline implant 1999,and that capsulated so then required a silicone one.Always felt strange and pulled a bit,but you get used to it.You have to remember that the new prosthesis gives you shape,won't ever feel like the original!

[rosie14]

I had saline tissue expanders first replaced by silicone implants. Out of interested do you ladies feel constantly tight and as if you have a blood pressure machine around your chest??? I have felt like this very since tissue expanders were first put in last July! I know other people who have has expanders/ implants and not had these sensations. Wondering if there is any connection with our problems?

[Rattles]

That's what I had. I didn't realise it was a mix of silicone and saline. Have to say it feels like a freezer bag with water in! 

[riversidedawn]

Rattles I had silicon in September, replaced with Becker expander in may which is 50/50 silicon/ saline.

[Rattles]

Sorry to hear there are so many of us who experienced these problems, especially those still trying to get things under control. It's very hard. Out of interest - did you have expander implants, or silicone?

Rattles

[rosie14]

I know what you mean we must keep on striving!!!!😁

[riversidedawn]

Thanks Rosie, it's just such a nightmare. I know this is the cosmetic side, but I really can't face life with a prothesis. I need a boob!

[rosie14]

Oh riversidedawn I am so sorry! It's dreadful when you have to wait and see!! Thinking of you and know exactly how you feel! Stay in touch! X

[riversidedawn]

Oh my, here I am again! Had mx in sept 14 with silicon implant recon. Started chemo in October and infections after chemo 1 and 2 so implant removed at Christmas. Finished chemo in April and had expander implant 6 weeks later, and just had number 7 out of 15 rads.

Today the scar started to weep. Luckily surgeon was available so drained some saline from the implant to remove pressure, cleaned up, dressed and antibiotics.

Now we have to wait and see! I thought it was going so well this time. I'll be gutted if it doesn't work but my Tamoxifen belly is growing nicely for diep!!

[rosie14]

Oh jillybee559 what can I say!😕 The only thing is that it is good to know that there are other people out there going through what seems like a never ending journey!
I have had a total of 6 surgical procedures during the last year!
Have you managed to work at any point? Fortunately we have our own business so I have dipped in at odd intervals for a few hours here and there. X

[jillybee]

Oh,Rosie 14....I have had 2 failed silicone implants,and not had radiotherapy either.One failed after a month,the other one failed after 3.Had infections,so had antibiotics,but the implants had to be removed,no question.....I had lipo as well,tummy fat popped in one side.Expanders put in,again failed....ended up with a DIEP,tummy tuck with recon.I know what you mean by surgery,but sometimes you just need to take a deep breath and go for it.I had 8 ops in less than 7 months .....then the DIEP July last year ......
Nothing I can say,Except a day at a time.....it is nearly 2 years to the day I had my mammogram,and STILL trailing back and forth to the hospital.Now waiting for 12th op.....but,you will get there eventually ....x

[rosie14]

Bean14 and Rattles thanks for responding to me! I am sorry that you 2 have also had similar experiences!
I haven't heard of lipofilling I live in Cyprus so some of the technical language that goes on in the forum baffles me!

[Rattles]

Hello Rosie - and Bean,

I'm sorry to hear you've both had problems with your implants. I also had to have an implant removed 4 months after a bilateral mastectomy operation due to chronic infection. This was saline, not silicone implants but my surgeon believes this was due to radiation damage (even though the skin appeared really good and 2years on from the radiation treatment). I've been told I can't have another implant and I can't have a reconstruction at all now. I explored the lipofilling but this wasn't an option suitable for me. It was very disappointing.

I wish I could say something to make it better! I do think it's okay to 'not do anything ' while you recover and you can revisit this.

Happy to chat further with either of you.

Rattles, x

[Bean14]

Sorry to hear of your failed implant Rosie14. I had a similar experience with my expander implants due to radiotherapy leaving me with a poor blood supply. Luckily they could drain the implant and treat me. I was in hospital for 9 days on antibiotics as a big patch of skin had gone black. It took 6 months to fully heal.
They would like to replace my implants with silicone ones but are worried that I'll get an infection - like you - and then I'll be unable to have any implants.
I've recently had some lipofilling to deal with the lopsided effect and so far it looks good. Could your surgeon offer you that to make the smaller side bigger? It is surgery but it's no where near as invasive as recon.
If you want to chat pm me x

[rosie14]

I had db mx last July and had tissue expanders inserted both sides! Eventually they wer inflated and I had radiotheraphy to right side. 7 weeks ago I had them replaced for silocene implants! Last week I had noticed the scar on the cancerous side had split slightly. To begin with I was treated with antibiotics and told it was an infection 3 days later no better and now a slight yellow discharge! Went bac to surgeon who now said the implant would have to be removed beacause it wouldn't be any good now. Had it out on Saturday and he put a much smaller one in. He said the radiation had caused the skin to break and inside he found the implant had come through the pocket. Has anyone else had such a scenario???? I am one uneven and he offered to take the other side out and swap it for a smaller one to match but I can't face anymore surgery all I want to do is get on with the rest of my life!😒