Breast Implants Saline or Silacone

dlr102369

Hi! Well I am getting ready to have these tissue expanders removed next month and was just curious to what everyone thought about the options for implants.
I was leaning towards silacone but my doc. gave me the impression that he was leaning more towards saline.
Anyone have any input? I have to decide by Sept.

Thanks so much!
Debbie

meena1

i was wondering the same
i was wondering the same thing, i also have to have my expanders removed. my doc said he would put in silicone, he did not give me choice. Also, are you have the surgery where they take muscle from your back? I had radiation and my doctor said that it may not work. I am so confused

survivorbc09

meena1 said:

i was wondering the same
i was wondering the same thing, i also have to have my expanders removed. my doc said he would put in silicone, he did not give me choice. Also, are you have the surgery where they take muscle from your back? I had radiation and my doctor said that it may not work. I am so confused

I had a lumpectomy, so, I
I had a lumpectomy, so, I don't really know. Just wanted to welcome you. Can your doctor put you in touch with women that have had either or? Then you can talk to them?

Good luck with your decision.

debragood1

Silicone
Hi Dlr102369:

I took a class in reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering before meeting with my plastic surgeon. I decided on silicone because it may be a bit softer than the silicone and also because saline can apparently cause rippling which doesn't happen with silicone. Apparently, the "gummy bear" implants are the best. They're made of a cohesive silicone gel and are supposedly the most advanced implant to date. They come in a teardrop shape (which is more natural). I also asked my doctor to let me feel both types at my last appt. and I prefer the way the gummy bear implants feel. I haven't had the exchange surgery because I have to wait until 8 weeks after chemo.

just my 2 cents. Good luck with whichever type you choose.

Deb

Alexis F

debragood1 said:

Silicone
Hi Dlr102369:

I took a class in reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering before meeting with my plastic surgeon. I decided on silicone because it may be a bit softer than the silicone and also because saline can apparently cause rippling which doesn't happen with silicone. Apparently, the "gummy bear" implants are the best. They're made of a cohesive silicone gel and are supposedly the most advanced implant to date. They come in a teardrop shape (which is more natural). I also asked my doctor to let me feel both types at my last appt. and I prefer the way the gummy bear implants feel. I haven't had the exchange surgery because I have to wait until 8 weeks after chemo.

just my 2 cents. Good luck with whichever type you choose.

Deb

I had a lumpectomy
I had a lumpectomy, but, what Deb posted I have read. Good post Deb! I am sure it will help a lot out! I have heard that the "gummy bear" implants are the best, very natural.

Hugs ♥Lex♥

meena1

debragood1 said:

Silicone
Hi Dlr102369:

I took a class in reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering before meeting with my plastic surgeon. I decided on silicone because it may be a bit softer than the silicone and also because saline can apparently cause rippling which doesn't happen with silicone. Apparently, the "gummy bear" implants are the best. They're made of a cohesive silicone gel and are supposedly the most advanced implant to date. They come in a teardrop shape (which is more natural). I also asked my doctor to let me feel both types at my last appt. and I prefer the way the gummy bear implants feel. I haven't had the exchange surgery because I have to wait until 8 weeks after chemo.

just my 2 cents. Good luck with whichever type you choose.

Deb

Deb, thank you for the info.
Deb, thank you for the info. My doc said that he would be using silicone, i will ask him about the gummy bear implant

debragood1

meena1 said:

Deb, thank you for the info.
Deb, thank you for the info. My doc said that he would be using silicone, i will ask him about the gummy bear implant

!!!
Party on, Meena. I'm getting my gummy bears on November 16. I can't wait!!!

Hugs,
Deb

meena1

debragood1 said:

!!!
Party on, Meena. I'm getting my gummy bears on November 16. I can't wait!!!

Hugs,
Deb

I may have to wait until
I may have to wait until January. I used up my leave a work. I can't wait to get this rock off my chest. Keep me informed,

jikaras

Silicone
I had silicone implants put in. Reasons are stated in other posts; it's more natural looking, they wear better, and they can stay in for 20years before they would have to get 'changed out'.

I was happy to get rid of the enhancers, they were bulkly and uncomforable.

dlr102369

jikaras said:

Silicone
I had silicone implants put in. Reasons are stated in other posts; it's more natural looking, they wear better, and they can stay in for 20years before they would have to get 'changed out'.

I was happy to get rid of the enhancers, they were bulkly and uncomforable.

Thank you all so very much.
Thank you all so very much. I was leaning towards the silicone but I was a little hesitant because I also have multiple sclerosis an autoimune disorder and I know there was a lot of talk about silicone and autoimune....

Girls I will be SOOOO glad to get these rocks off for sure!!! They are like a weapon!

I was trying to wait until Nov. to have my surgery but he doesn't want to wait that long. I am training for a triathlon Sep. 12th kind of my way of saying this is not going to defeat me although sometimes ugh I sure do feel like it, and then in October I am turning 40 and will celebrate 20 years of marriage..... But looks like I will be having surgery the week after my race. I guess I will be glad to get through the next hurdle then have to talk about nipple reconstruction.....

Thank you all so much for your imput! I sure do appreciate your honesty.

Debbie

debragood1

dlr102369 said:

Thank you all so very much.
Thank you all so very much. I was leaning towards the silicone but I was a little hesitant because I also have multiple sclerosis an autoimune disorder and I know there was a lot of talk about silicone and autoimune....

Girls I will be SOOOO glad to get these rocks off for sure!!! They are like a weapon!

I was trying to wait until Nov. to have my surgery but he doesn't want to wait that long. I am training for a triathlon Sep. 12th kind of my way of saying this is not going to defeat me although sometimes ugh I sure do feel like it, and then in October I am turning 40 and will celebrate 20 years of marriage..... But looks like I will be having surgery the week after my race. I guess I will be glad to get through the next hurdle then have to talk about nipple reconstruction.....

Thank you all so much for your imput! I sure do appreciate your honesty.

Debbie

One More Comment from Me
Hi again, Debbie:

I go to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. Not to sound snobby or anything, but I think it is one of the best cancer centerss in the world. The doctors there (I'm talking plastic surgeons) all say that research proves that silicone implants were not associated with auto-immune diseases and certain other complications. I hope this gives you some comfort.

Please keep us apprised. Best of luck!

Hugs,
Deb

GreeneyedGirl

debragood1 said:

One More Comment from Me
Hi again, Debbie:

I go to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. Not to sound snobby or anything, but I think it is one of the best cancer centerss in the world. The doctors there (I'm talking plastic surgeons) all say that research proves that silicone implants were not associated with auto-immune diseases and certain other complications. I hope this gives you some comfort.

Please keep us apprised. Best of luck!

Hugs,
Deb

Saline for me~~
~~mostly due to a couple reasons...I had a lat flap (back muscle) procedure so the implant would be covered by a muscle under the skin, so no worries about any rippling or what have you...and I felt more at ease with saline in my body "just in case" of a rupture or leak or what have you. Only one breast is/was effected so I look amazingly balanced and happy with my final results.
I wish you the best in your decision.

tasha_111

GreeneyedGirl said:

Saline for me~~
~~mostly due to a couple reasons...I had a lat flap (back muscle) procedure so the implant would be covered by a muscle under the skin, so no worries about any rippling or what have you...and I felt more at ease with saline in my body "just in case" of a rupture or leak or what have you. Only one breast is/was effected so I look amazingly balanced and happy with my final results.
I wish you the best in your decision.

I just can't
I just can't go through any more surgery, I'll stick with my dog - toys from the dollar store.
Good luck to all you brave souls
Hugs jxxxxxxxxxxxxx

VickiSam

What the difference between tissue expanders and
Flaps ?? I only ask, because I will be hand a double mac'tmy within the next 3 weeks?


Thanks for any input.


Vicki9

jdw211

VickiSam said:

What the difference between tissue expanders and
Flaps ?? I only ask, because I will be hand a double mac'tmy within the next 3 weeks?


Thanks for any input.


Vicki9

It's very important to get a plastic surgery consult prior to the mastectomy (or lumpectomy, too). I requested one as part of my information gathering after my lumpectomy failed to get clean enough margins around the tumor, and learned so much, as I tried to decide between a second lumpectomy with radiation, or a mastectomy. The oncology surgeon is (appropriately) only interested in medical outcomes, not aesthetics or quality of life issues, so he/she does not tell you that different procedures can limit your reconstruction options. The flaps use your own body tissue (tummy, back muscle, or butt), while tissue expanders go under the pectoral muscle and stretch the skin and muscle in preparation for the implant (silicone or saline).

dlr102369

VickiSam said:

What the difference between tissue expanders and
Flaps ?? I only ask, because I will be hand a double mac'tmy within the next 3 weeks?


Thanks for any input.


Vicki9

Vicki- Well the flaps were
Vicki- Well the flaps were not an option for me b/c I did not have enough tissue to create breasts so I went with the bilateral mastectomy with the expanders placed under the muscle. The do the mastectomy and place the expanders at the same time then after the incision heals about 4-6 weeks they start expanding by injecting saline through your skin in your breast into a port on the expander. Each week I went and little by little the skin stretched so now I am able to take out the expanders and have implants put in. The expanders are basically used to stretch the skin. My friend was able to have the flaps and I believe was in the hopsital a week. You use your own tissue to create your breasts.

Here is my blog I started when I was diagnosed I put some pictures and stories about each day from diagnosis.

http://mybcajourney.blogspot.com/

Hope this is helpful!
Debbie

VickiSam

dlr102369 said:

Vicki- Well the flaps were
Vicki- Well the flaps were not an option for me b/c I did not have enough tissue to create breasts so I went with the bilateral mastectomy with the expanders placed under the muscle. The do the mastectomy and place the expanders at the same time then after the incision heals about 4-6 weeks they start expanding by injecting saline through your skin in your breast into a port on the expander. Each week I went and little by little the skin stretched so now I am able to take out the expanders and have implants put in. The expanders are basically used to stretch the skin. My friend was able to have the flaps and I believe was in the hopsital a week. You use your own tissue to create your breasts.

Here is my blog I started when I was diagnosed I put some pictures and stories about each day from diagnosis.

http://mybcajourney.blogspot.com/

Hope this is helpful!
Debbie

This helps a great deal! Thank you for sharing
Debbie,

I will continue to watch you via ...site.

Best wishes,

VickiSam

bfbear

VickiSam said:

This helps a great deal! Thank you for sharing
Debbie,

I will continue to watch you via ...site.

Best wishes,

VickiSam

My foobs...
I had my dbl. mastectomy in May and they put silicone implants in at the same time -- no expanders.

The skin was stretched out enough, because I was actually going to a smaller size, but the muscle had to stretch from ground zero. The "foobs" were very tight and uncomfortable for a long time, but lately they have started to feel less so. To my husband they feel great --very natural (I'm glad he's happy, I guess...). To others, in clothes, they look great. To me they're still numb and pretty weird. Weird because with the muscles on the top, I can make them "dance" one at a time with a little pec-control...great as a party gag...kind of disconcerting when it happens and I'm not trying to make them move!!

So all things considered,they're fine. Remember: it's reconstruction, not enhancement.

I am still struggling with whether or not to do the nipple reconstruction/tatoo thing.

Hugs,
Debi

Ritzy

bfbear said:

My foobs...
I had my dbl. mastectomy in May and they put silicone implants in at the same time -- no expanders.

The skin was stretched out enough, because I was actually going to a smaller size, but the muscle had to stretch from ground zero. The "foobs" were very tight and uncomfortable for a long time, but lately they have started to feel less so. To my husband they feel great --very natural (I'm glad he's happy, I guess...). To others, in clothes, they look great. To me they're still numb and pretty weird. Weird because with the muscles on the top, I can make them "dance" one at a time with a little pec-control...great as a party gag...kind of disconcerting when it happens and I'm not trying to make them move!!

So all things considered,they're fine. Remember: it's reconstruction, not enhancement.

I am still struggling with whether or not to do the nipple reconstruction/tatoo thing.

Hugs,
Debi

I hope that all of your
I hope that all of your reconstrucions work out for you and that you will all be very happy with the results, once you have healed. It just takes time, right?

Sue