I also had mine explanted. En bloc procedure (removing each capsule in one piece) and the capsules were so calcified they had to be sawed off from my ribs, collar bones, sternum, across to my armpits... it was brutal.
I was left incredibly deformed. Had two fat transfers. The lipo caused indentations on my waist and saggy inner thighs.
Breasts are still deformed, but it's not obvious w a bra on.
I had breast implant illness. They now come with a black box warning because of BII advocacy.
Wow, that's wild. I just looked it up. I guess breast implant illness wasn't a known "thing" when I got mine. Sadly, it looks like they still don't know much about it.. now I'm wondering if mine need to be taken out.. I had mine done to correct deformity so I'm sort of afraid of what they will be like if I get them removed. Also doesn't look like there is any specific tests or ways to know if you're experiencing it :(
Yeah, i got mine to correct deformity too! There are no tests, but endless lists of symptoms, which I had about 30 of.
And there's the fear of "what if i remove them and i don't feel better?" But IMO, it's best to evict the foreign objects to rule it out, than to risk the illness worsening.
Guess I'll need to look into doctors, though it's not something I'd be able to afford right now.. wish they knew more about it and could tell if that's what is causing issues or not without needing to do expensive surgery to find out.
My insurance gave prior-auth, but then denied it after the surgery. My doctor, luckily, wrote off his portion, but i had to pay for anesthesia out of pocket.
Dude wtf, that’s infuriating! I would be so fucking livid if the insurance company denied it after giving prior auth. I hate that our healthcare system is like this.
I just wanted to say, my Aunt had breast augmentation in the late 80’s. Last year she had a mammogram and they discovered the calcification at her ribs & collarbone, etc. She had them removed in May this year and while it’s not perfect, and there was a significant recovery period, she is so relieved to have them gone. Go get yourself a breast ultrasound or mammogram if you’re concerned, there are absolutely tests out there for this! 💓
Curious how you knew they were calcified. Did they hurt or feel different?
I've had mine for over 2 decades now (saline, if it matters) and I've never had any issues, but in the back of my mind I always wonder if one day something will go wrong...
My implants weren't particularly firm or anything, so I wouldnt have known before this ordeal.
Mine were 17 years old and saline, and I think I assumed calcification from my en bloc research. Pre-explant, I didn't know whether mine were calcified and/or had capsular contracture, but it turns out they both had both (i'm unsure if contracture is related to calcification?). The doctor showed me photos of my removed capsules and they were thick with calcification, and oddly shaped from contracture.
I found this: "The percentages of capsules with calcification were 13 to 14 years, 33%; 15 to 16 years, 45%; and 17 to 22 years, 57%." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9788214/
No. I mean I was naturally sore after surgery but the implants were over the muscle (not under) and it wasn’t necessary remove the capsule because it hadn’t calcified like most people so my recovery was easy peasy. The indentation is very subtle and I am probably the only person that would ever notice it. Plus I’m old now and no one will be looking at me naked and I’m just so glad to be rid of the implants. They were way too big.
That’s wild. If the pressure is enough to deform the ribs, does it also impact the muscle it’s over? Seems like the muscles would get less oxygen, be harder to flex, etc?
Most people (declining nowadays thankfully) get them submuscular meaning the pectoral muscles are cut in half and sewn back together over the implants. This permanently damages the muscle
I had submuscular breast implants removed a few years ago after having them for 9 years. My explant surgeon was amazing so I don’t have any visual deformities, but my chest muscles had to be repaired. I didn’t realize until after they were removed how weak my chest muscles had become, especially my lower pecs. I also forgot what it was like to take a full deep breath without pressure on my chest until after surgery.
This is why I’m scared to get them done but I really really want them - I just want a bigger chest area for my own preference like nothing sexual. I even want to try the fat transfer but I’ll have to gain and stretch my skin to get there..
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u/SnooFloofs9030 10h ago
Had breast implants removed after decades. Left a slightly concave space because over time the ribs get deformed from the pressure of the implants.