Replacing implant

Hi, I hope someone who has experienced this will be along to help you! I had a permanent implant at the time of my mx as nodes were clear, so I’m not really that able to explain how it was, (just glad to get rid of the nasty cancer!)  but the op had to be repeated 30 hours later as I’d bled! So I guess my experience isn’t a lot of help as the second op was very close in time to the first plus they actually had to remove the implant (I must have been a right bleeder, lol!) so I was a touch exhausted after 2 ops so close together. 

but I suspect those shoulder exercises may need to be done all over again as it might stiffen up a bit. 

What I wasn’t told was that the mesh they use to hold the implant isn’t cheap (£3.k) and so cutting it to shap from a rectangle isn’t easy and therefore it might be a touch over-sized and sometimes the slow-to-dissolve stitches plus a bit of puckering of mesh to get it sitting right may give you a fright a few months later when you feel what you suddenly think is a bit of suspicious lumpiness! 

My surgeon also uses glue over the suture line which if you see it without knowing can be a bit of a surprise as it’s a purple-blue-grey colour! 

Hope all goes well for you

hugs xxx

I had an implant when I had BC the first time 30 years ago and I found out that it was ruptured at the same time that they found the tumour on the other side. They replaced the implant when they did the lumpectomy, sentinel node and port removal, opening up the original scar. It healed very quickly with (obviously) no additional scarring and 10 weeks later, no problems at all.

Hi there. I had an LD reconstruction with implant in 2010. Late 2017 I found lumps in the implant and following a visit to the breast clinic and a breast MRI scan it was found I had capsular contracture.

I had the original implant removed and replaced in March this year. I went into hospital at 7 30 and was first on the list. I was allowed home at 1 30pm

Had no problem with recovery except recovery from the GA of course

All the very best

Sue  DIAG 22/2/2008

Hi, 

i had my expander taken out on the 6th December and it was replaced by a silicone implant. The surgery tookl less than an hour and I was allowed home later that day. It was much less traumatic and painful than my first surgery and I felt fine almost immediately. A fortnight on and the swelling has almost gone and I look a lot more even!

Thank you ladies for all your responses, really helpful and reassuring.   I guess we have to  deal with unexpected events with implants but it sounds like they usually can sort out any associated problems. Thank you, and Merry Christmas xx.

Hi Sox 107

I have Capsular Contracture and my own surgeon sent  me to the plastic surgeon . I went on Wednesday and he told me  that this was definitely what I have. 

Due to this I have to get my  implant out and some of the skin below my breast  replaced with skin from my back and a new  implant and as my other breast is drooping and I'd saying lost a lot of its shape he may also have to add a small implant too. Even though I've been put on as Priority it would happen for over a year.

How are you feeling  since you had yours replaced and lipomodeling done? 

Take care Angela