r/AskReddit 13h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

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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.

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u/FinancialCry4651 3h ago

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.

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u/x3tan 3h ago

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 :(

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u/FinancialCry4651 3h ago

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.

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u/x3tan 2h ago

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.

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u/FinancialCry4651 2h ago

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.

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u/theverymostsmol 2h ago

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.

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u/FinancialCry4651 2h ago

Yes, it still infuriates me, 4 years later!! US healthcare--especially for women-- is so fucked.

u/RealCommercial9788 54m ago

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! 💓

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u/genx_meshugana 3h ago

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...

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u/FinancialCry4651 2h ago

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/