Anyone happy with implants?

Hi HIJ75

I haven't had to make this decision but I can see that it's not an easy one to make. By replying to you it will 'bump' your post back to the top of the discussion list where it'll hopefully be seen by someone who's had a positive experience with implants.

While you're waiting for replies if you type 'implant' into the group's search bar you'll find lots of previous posts on this topic. You could have a read through the more recent ones and respond to any of the posters if you want to ask them any questions about how they're getting on with theirs.

All the best with whatever you decide to do.

x

Hi HIJ75, I didn’t have either but there are lots here who did if I could only remember who had what! I’m sure that moomy had an implant so I’ve tagged her, hopefully she’ll see this and pop in with her experience. It’s so hard making these decisions, good to have choices but hard to make them. Wishing you well with your decision, love and hugs, HFxx

Hi, 

thanks HappyFeet1 for the nudge, yes I had an implant. It was done during the mx, I just knew I didn’t ever want to look down and not see ‘something’ there. It’s not perfect (some adhesion to the mesh support) but it’s fine and my surgeon is happy with it. I look down to see a boob of sorts so I’m happy too!

But at the end of the day it has to be your decision and yours alone, while taking information in, only you can decide what you really want.

Wisdom and hugs xxx

Thank you very much for the response. Yes, it is such a hard decision. I know that many people do have a good experience with DIEP but I just find the extended recovery and additional scarring very off-putting. Can I ask whether you have had any pain or discomfort with your implant? Some people say they hurt when exercising and are uncomfortably icy when it's cold?

I was warned not to do too much to begin with as it’s under some of the muscle and so yoga was out for a bit over 3 months. No, no pain but due to the adhesion it contracts and pulls out of shape a bit, doesn’t bother me. And no, it’s normally about as warm as the other side, again possibly due to the layer of muscle as well as skin covering it. And I’ve got a cleavage which I was bothered about pre-mx. (At 73 when I had the op perhaps I shouldn’t have been so vain?!) 

a good fitting bra helps of course, it took some time to find what was right for me (and now they are worn out but finding a replacement in lockdown isn’t easy!!!) 

hugs xxx

I also want my cleavage back!! I don't think it's vanity at whatever age! I don't think mine will go under the muscle, which the surgeon says makes it less painful and less prone to moving out of shape in the way you describe, but I guess also means more plasticky under the skin. Very hard to make this decision. In some ways would have been easier if it was immediate as I'd have had no time to swither on it. I'm referred to plastic surgeons to be assessed for DIEP and will then go back to my breast cancer surgeon for a final chat to weigh up all the pros and cons. It's good to hear from you and that your implant has been.

Thank you so much xxxx

Hi HIJ75

I had an implant, replaced 15 months ago with a DIep. Firstly, whatever you have done it isn't your real boob, so no matter how fab the diep boobs are, they are not real. My implant was fine until it wasn't, turned out it had somehow moved and twisted (very unusual occurance) The op to have the implant was really quick and so was recovery. The Diep was 10 hours of surgery, 5 nights in hospital and weeks of recovery, with some side effects still around. I am very glad I had the Diep, but if I had stayed with the implant (and it was okay) I would have also been happy. The biggest difference for me is that the implant was cold, and my diep boob is warm as it is part of me. However, there seem to be more things can go wrong with the diep, and when they do go wrong they do so in a bad way, a lady in one of the groups I am in on FB is currently having blood transfusions and major issues with her operation.

So you do need to think long and hard about it, but also ask if you can have a Diep at a later date if you find the implant doesn't suit you?

Hope this hasn't confused you even more!

Jo x

Jo, thank you. Your message was really helpful. It's very difficult to weigh up all the pros and cons. I am pretty sure I could have DIEP if something went wrong with my implant, though I will check. I don't like the idea of it being cold and plasticky - warm and natural just seems like such an attractive outcome. But the process itself is just terrifying. I'd never had any surgery before my MX, and even though everything went as smoothly as it could possibly go (only one night in hospital, no drains, no complications) I still wake up sometimes having nightmares about surgeries and hospitals. Bit silly really. I just want to find out as much as I can to make the right decision. How is your DIEP boob, now? You said you're very glad you had the procedure. Did you have the second phase or just the first one?

Morning!

I had a mastectomy with an implant 7 weeks ago - in clothing you wouldn't know but without clothing it does look quite different if I'm honest.  I have a friend who has gone through something similar and she said that the trick is to visit a decent underwear shop to be properly fitted after about 6 months when it has all settled down.

In the meantime I have purchased an array of crop / sports tops which are comfortable. I am really small breasted though - not sure what it would be like if you have a bigger bust....

It does feel quite solid - am not sure if that is because it is still settling down or not - but I think that my brain has to get used to it.  

I think this was the right decision for me - I would feel confident to wear a swimming costume (if we can ever go on holiday again or visit a swimming pool!).  I don't have a nipple but am 50 so not really bothered about that as only my husband will see it!

Any questions - just ask!

Also - if anyone is reading this who is further ahead than me I would love to know when your brain got used to the new you?

Take care 

x

Thanks Charlie, very helpful. I must admit I do feel put off by the coldness. I love wild swimming, not all year round but in Scotland even in summer it's very cold water, and I'm a little worried a freezing cold plasticky thing will be very uncomfortable. Does it get colder when the temperature is colder or is it just always cold? At only 7 weeks post MX though I imagine everything is still settling down, both physically and emotionally. My MX was over 6 months ago and I I'm still processing. 7 weeks is very early days. I am small-breasted too and 46 - not very bothered by a nipple but we'll see. 

xx