Yikes, implant complications sound scary as hell!

ejs51361
ejs51361 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Just read a packet from my reconstruct doc about implants (which is my only reconstruct option). It scares the hell out of me! The risks outlined for implants have me more scared than my cancer. Having a double msstectomy early Aug., maybe I should keep my new boy chest.

Comments

  • survives
    survives Member Posts: 254 Member
    #2
    Deep breathes
    The great thing about reconstruction is that you can have it done anytime....immediately following, or years down the road. I had a unilateral mastectomy with no recon. HOWEVER, it may be that I will change my mind yet again, and have it done. I've changed it several times! :-) My hesitation comes from wondering if I want any more surgery. I didn't have the coice of immediate reconstruction.

    I will agree, the warnings and that that are give to you are truly frightening, but like everything else, if the warning aren't there, then havoc reigns. And, we have enough of that, don't you think? ;-) Just because all the stuff that COULD go on is listed, doesn't mean that in your case that it WILL HAPPEN. It's like anything else. Have you ever taken the time to read the warnings on some meds?? Geeze! Makes one wonder why we should do anything at all.

    It's a personal choice....no one here will say to or not do recon. I'm certainly no expert, but letting you know that yes, it COULD be a long haul for you, but then, you could sail through with no complications. And that is what I hope for you.

    Just the ramblings of an old Amazon, my dear. So, now comes the balancing act that will play out in your mind....think, but don't overthink....don't forget to breathe, and like someone said (and I love this)...."Keep an open mind, but don't let your brain fall out!"

    Hugs, and prayers and good wishes for the right choice for you and a speedy recovery. Let us know how you go.
  • Menda
    Menda Member Posts: 128
    #3
    survives said:

    Deep breathes
    The great thing about reconstruction is that you can have it done anytime....immediately following, or years down the road. I had a unilateral mastectomy with no recon. HOWEVER, it may be that I will change my mind yet again, and have it done. I've changed it several times! :-) My hesitation comes from wondering if I want any more surgery. I didn't have the coice of immediate reconstruction.

    I will agree, the warnings and that that are give to you are truly frightening, but like everything else, if the warning aren't there, then havoc reigns. And, we have enough of that, don't you think? ;-) Just because all the stuff that COULD go on is listed, doesn't mean that in your case that it WILL HAPPEN. It's like anything else. Have you ever taken the time to read the warnings on some meds?? Geeze! Makes one wonder why we should do anything at all.

    It's a personal choice....no one here will say to or not do recon. I'm certainly no expert, but letting you know that yes, it COULD be a long haul for you, but then, you could sail through with no complications. And that is what I hope for you.

    Just the ramblings of an old Amazon, my dear. So, now comes the balancing act that will play out in your mind....think, but don't overthink....don't forget to breathe, and like someone said (and I love this)...."Keep an open mind, but don't let your brain fall out!"

    Hugs, and prayers and good wishes for the right choice for you and a speedy recovery. Let us know how you go.

    I agree with survives. I am
    I agree with survives. I am 12 days post op and am having some complications. Yea they suck. Yea I did not plan on this. But in the long run, I am breast cancer free and will end up with perky boobs. How many people can say their boobs have serial numbers and have a warranty?

    It is a tough personal decision, listen to you heart and your doctors. Good luck
  • survives
    survives Member Posts: 254 Member
    #4
    Menda said:

    I agree with survives. I am
    I agree with survives. I am 12 days post op and am having some complications. Yea they suck. Yea I did not plan on this. But in the long run, I am breast cancer free and will end up with perky boobs. How many people can say their boobs have serial numbers and have a warranty?

    It is a tough personal decision, listen to you heart and your doctors. Good luck

    Boob warranty!
    Guess ours ran out on the original, right (hehehehe)? Sorry couldn't help it, Menda, but I do like it! Here's to hoping you heal swiftly! Be good to you.

    EJS, was wondering..............Did you get a second opinion on your plastic surgery? I went to one surgeon, and was pretty much told the same as you. Have done research, and found that there ARE other alternatives that could work...not WILL work, but COULD. You still have time to do your research and make up your mind. Your decision on this will be the right one for you.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #5
    It's a difficult decision
    It's a difficult decision so get all the info you can. I met with plastic surgeon before my bilateral mastectomies to go over my options at a later date. Because I was told I need rads for the right breast I opted for no immediate reconstruction. I have shoulder surgery issues and balance issues so ps said my only option would be implants which could be done whenever I was ready. Right now I don't foresee myself wanting any more surgery and will live with prostheses. I may change my mind in a few years but I'm 61 now. Weigh all your options and be happy with what you decide. Good luck!
    Char
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #6
    If you read the fine print
    If you read the fine print in anything, it is scary as hell. They have to list every possible side-effect for law suit purposes.

    I was scared too when I read all that stuff. Let it sink in, do a little research and it does help to put it all in perspective.

    A side note on waiting for reconstruction. I was going to wait too and my BS told me that she would perform the masectomy differently if I was going to have reconstruction (I had a prophylatic on the RT side). If I opted for reconstruction with Tissue Expanders (I wasn't a candidate for any of the flap procedures) she would save some skin. If I didn't want reconstruction, she wouldn't perform the skin saving masecomy. If I chose to do reconstruction later, the results wouldn't be as good. So, be sure you talk with both your BS and PS.
  • m-star
    m-star Member Posts: 441
    #7
    Dawne.Hope said:

    If you read the fine print
    If you read the fine print in anything, it is scary as hell. They have to list every possible side-effect for law suit purposes.

    I was scared too when I read all that stuff. Let it sink in, do a little research and it does help to put it all in perspective.

    A side note on waiting for reconstruction. I was going to wait too and my BS told me that she would perform the masectomy differently if I was going to have reconstruction (I had a prophylatic on the RT side). If I opted for reconstruction with Tissue Expanders (I wasn't a candidate for any of the flap procedures) she would save some skin. If I didn't want reconstruction, she wouldn't perform the skin saving masecomy. If I chose to do reconstruction later, the results wouldn't be as good. So, be sure you talk with both your BS and PS.

    i agree.
    If you read the
    i agree.

    If you read the possible side effects on a box of over the counter Ibuprofen,you'd never take another one.

    We take a risk getting in our car every day-or crossing the road.

    Its good to know the risks obviously,but you need to find out how likey these risks are going to apply to you.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #8
    Agree
    Yes, the risks can be scary, but they are obligated to tell you about many things that are very unlikely to happen. My gosh, the stuff I had to sign before going in for my lumpectomy: you would think there was a 95% chance that I wouldn't make it out alive. Of course, I did. It's good to do all your research, but rememeber that the majority of people who get reconstruction come out of it just fine. Hugs to you.

    Mimi
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #9
    Our litigious society! Gotta love it!
    Tell me about it! The possible side-effects to anything are scarier than the product itself! In actuality, that these warnings NEED to be there says more about the consumers than the manufacturer! Why, for example do I need to be told:

    1. Sleeping pills ~ "may cause drowsiness" Really? Wasn't that the desired effect?

    2. Microwave instructions~ "product will be hot after heating" Thanks for that news-flash!

    3. On a Superman Halloween costume~ "Cape does not enable wearer to fly" Put it back! total rip-off!

    4. On a box of holiday lights~ "Indoor and outdoor use only" What? You think maybe I was going to use them underwater?

    The final straw for me, once my hair grew back after the chemo was finding out I had to get up half an hour earlier to do my hair. Why? Because the instructions on my new blow-dryer (a post chemo gift to myself) warned me against using it "while bathing" or "while sleeping." And I had the best hairstyle picked out too~ I dreamed about it!

    Who are these people who no doubt sued these companies after actually doing these things???
    Must be related to the woman who successfully sued McDonald's after spilling hot coffee on her "privates". The bad news was, she won the lawsuit! The good news, maybe , just maybe her supposed injuries prevented her from procreating! LOL

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #10
    chenheart said:

    Our litigious society! Gotta love it!
    Tell me about it! The possible side-effects to anything are scarier than the product itself! In actuality, that these warnings NEED to be there says more about the consumers than the manufacturer! Why, for example do I need to be told:

    1. Sleeping pills ~ "may cause drowsiness" Really? Wasn't that the desired effect?

    2. Microwave instructions~ "product will be hot after heating" Thanks for that news-flash!

    3. On a Superman Halloween costume~ "Cape does not enable wearer to fly" Put it back! total rip-off!

    4. On a box of holiday lights~ "Indoor and outdoor use only" What? You think maybe I was going to use them underwater?

    The final straw for me, once my hair grew back after the chemo was finding out I had to get up half an hour earlier to do my hair. Why? Because the instructions on my new blow-dryer (a post chemo gift to myself) warned me against using it "while bathing" or "while sleeping." And I had the best hairstyle picked out too~ I dreamed about it!

    Who are these people who no doubt sued these companies after actually doing these things???
    Must be related to the woman who successfully sued McDonald's after spilling hot coffee on her "privates". The bad news was, she won the lawsuit! The good news, maybe , just maybe her supposed injuries prevented her from procreating! LOL

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    LOL, Chen!
    I agree. Some of these things are too funny. Although I have to say, the woman who spilled the McDonald's coffee deserved to win. The cups had a structural flaw that McDonalds not only knew about, but knew it could cause injury. Yet they did nothing about it to save a penny per cup. she endured multiple surgeries on her privates and went through a lot of pain. The woman never saw that money, anyway. Juries often take away judge-made awards.

    My favorites are medications whose side effects are the diseases they claim to treat! My mom's blood pressure medication warns, "may cause elevated blood pressure." Huh?

    A popular asthma drug has the disclaimer, "may increase asthma-related death." What?

    Depression medication says "may induce suicidal thoughts or tendencies." I'm trying to allieviate my depression and your drug will make me suicidal?!

    Mimi
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #11
    mimivac said:

    LOL, Chen!
    I agree. Some of these things are too funny. Although I have to say, the woman who spilled the McDonald's coffee deserved to win. The cups had a structural flaw that McDonalds not only knew about, but knew it could cause injury. Yet they did nothing about it to save a penny per cup. she endured multiple surgeries on her privates and went through a lot of pain. The woman never saw that money, anyway. Juries often take away judge-made awards.

    My favorites are medications whose side effects are the diseases they claim to treat! My mom's blood pressure medication warns, "may cause elevated blood pressure." Huh?

    A popular asthma drug has the disclaimer, "may increase asthma-related death." What?

    Depression medication says "may induce suicidal thoughts or tendencies." I'm trying to allieviate my depression and your drug will make me suicidal?!

    Mimi

    One of my favorite easy read
    One of my favorite easy read books ( well, Reggie and I heard it as an audio-book on a long drive once) was John Grisham's "The Appeal"...it truly made me never, ever want to sue any big company, no matter how injured I may be. The multi- million dollar awards end up being pennies if that~ and the emotional toll is in many cases not worth it, and it oftentimes takes years and years to litigate.

    I do know about the McDonald's case~ it is just that over the years she too had become fodder for "Duh~ of course hot coffee is hot!" jokes. She in reality had a horrid time of things.
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #12
    chenheart said:

    One of my favorite easy read
    One of my favorite easy read books ( well, Reggie and I heard it as an audio-book on a long drive once) was John Grisham's "The Appeal"...it truly made me never, ever want to sue any big company, no matter how injured I may be. The multi- million dollar awards end up being pennies if that~ and the emotional toll is in many cases not worth it, and it oftentimes takes years and years to litigate.

    I do know about the McDonald's case~ it is just that over the years she too had become fodder for "Duh~ of course hot coffee is hot!" jokes. She in reality had a horrid time of things.

    This is such a personal
    This is such a personal decision in what you want to do. Think about it, look at pictures, talk to other bc survivors perhaps that have done implants and not had them, talk to your plastic surgeon.

    Just do what is best for you! We support you in whatever you decide.


    Sue :)
  • Summerlove
    Summerlove Member Posts: 6
    #13
    Menda said:

    I agree with survives. I am
    I agree with survives. I am 12 days post op and am having some complications. Yea they suck. Yea I did not plan on this. But in the long run, I am breast cancer free and will end up with perky boobs. How many people can say their boobs have serial numbers and have a warranty?

    It is a tough personal decision, listen to you heart and your doctors. Good luck

    I agree
    Iam 7 days post op and had reconstruct same day of surgery. I just pick up my transcript from the hospital. Reading all the warnings can scare the begbees out of you. It is what you decide. Saw my doctor yesterday, Spacer are in and healing good. Just keep the faith.
    As I told all our children I'll have perky boobs and when I lay down They will still be standing (haha)

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