New silicone implants

chas707

Hi, I am 29, dx Feb 02 at 27, dont remember exactly how big the tumor was but er/pr neg grade 3, no node involvement (praise God). I opted for bilat mastectomy due to aggresiveness of disease and age. Indured 4 rounds A/C, actually the chemo was not as bad as the expanders during reconstruction.
ANYWAY, just wanted to give you a little history on me, I only post every few months but read almost daily and I get so much strength and information from all of you. I had my permanent implants put in in Oct 02, I opted for saline because I was just plain scared of what all I had heard about silicone, you all know the feeling making so many choices all at once and so vulnerable your scared of your own shadow. I was not very happy with the outcome, my plastic surgeon whom is great said I needed to go back in to have more saline put in them to even out the ripples. Post second surgery still was not stisfied. A year later on a follow-up visit I voiced my dissapointment in my body. I was 29, and although it sounds crazy to be worried about how your boobs look, I hated them!! They were hard, petrified, looked like 2 grapefruit halved sitting on my chest bone, very unnaatural. He suggsted I join a silicone study and go in and have my saline breast implants removed and replaced with silicone ones. What the heck, I did. I AM SOO HAPPY!!!! I cannot express to you what a difference there is. They really look real (minus the nipple) They are soft and droopy just enough. I will definately get nipples on these. I was not at all interested in getting them before on the old ones, I figured the looked deformed enough that adding nipples would just make them look more hedious. Now I cannot wait to get them. Just wanted to let you ladies out there know just in case anyone has the saline implants and are not happy with them. Email me if anyone has any questions. God bless!
Chas

bpcbrinks

Hey Chas,
I am 29 as well. I had only one side done and I also had the saline implant. Can't say that I am extremely happy with it. I don't know if you had radiation but I did and it basically cause so much scar tissue that the skin around the implant in so hard and not very natural. However, at this point I've got so much other stuff going on in my life ( I have a 4yr old --enough said) that I just don't want another surgery with disappointment. I would love to know if the silicone implants would work better even afer radiation.
thanks
bpcbrinks

DeeNY711

Thank you so much for posting this information! I am still sitting on the fence trying to decide what I want or don't want. Part of the introspection has to do with the knowledge that my body does not accept anything other than its own self very well. The scar tissue just from the last port and from subsequent port removal surgery generate concern over stiff tissue and lumpiness. One of the reasons I opted not to have tram flaps was the realization that I would never be satisfied with their appearance. Your information is a big help to me!
Hugs,
Denise

chas707

bpcbrinks said:

Hey Chas,
I am 29 as well. I had only one side done and I also had the saline implant. Can't say that I am extremely happy with it. I don't know if you had radiation but I did and it basically cause so much scar tissue that the skin around the implant in so hard and not very natural. However, at this point I've got so much other stuff going on in my life ( I have a 4yr old --enough said) that I just don't want another surgery with disappointment. I would love to know if the silicone implants would work better even afer radiation.
thanks
bpcbrinks

Trust me I know what you mean, I also have a 4 yr old. I did not have rad treatment but after my silicone implants were put in my Dr told me he removed a ton of scar tissue which was probably part of the reason my saline implants were so hard and would not settle. As far as the surgery it was not bad, it was done on Tues morn, was really sore Tues night and Wed but by Fri I was fine and even danced at one of my best friends wedding on Sat. (Though I did pay for it on Sun I was so sore)but it was worth it. I would do it again a hundred times over for the end result I have now. Please email me anytime if you have anymore ?'s. Good luck with whatever you decide. It took me along time to decide to finally do it, fear of the unnkoen, I figured "how much better could they really be" but the difference is outstanding!

chrissi

Hi Chas,

I had a double mastectomy last July, and finished chemo six weeks ago. I just had surgery Jan 9th to have my expanders replaced with my silicone implants. What a difference! They feel like down pillows :-). I know I made the right decision choosing silicone implants. Glad everything worked out well for you. I am looking forward to having the nipple reconstruction in the near future too. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.

Chrissi

sugarbk

I am in a quandry. I am going to have my implants put in soon and still can't make a decision. I am leaning towards saline so not to have any problems. My surgeon has asked me to think about silicon but I don't think so. I need to hear more from others. I had one saline implant and was very happy with it. Now I need the other breast done and he is going to do both so they match. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Bonnie