Breast Implants

Question:  For those who have had implants for some time, when you are laying on your back do your implants shift under your arms towards your back?

I had implants in 2004.  They were supposed to be placed under the muscle.  A few moments before I was taken to OR and mildly sedated, the nurse came in and had me sign one more form.  I could not read it and have always wondered if my procedure was changed from under the muscle to on top. 

They slide off my check when I lay down, and I gained 100 pounds after having them.  I wonder if the pocket has given a little.  

 I have a consult on Feb 2nd, and know I am wondering if the Dr should look at this.  My left implant is slightly lower than my right but not enough to redo unless he says the way my implants fall towards my back is not normal. 

Every time I have a mammogram I ask the tech, but they never answer the question.  If this is normal, I won't bother him with this.

off my chest....not my check

Anna,

My implant sit best when I am standing up... when laying down.. my left one seems to flatten out more and slides toward my back.. MY PS said its something to do with the fact I am right handed.. and muscle is tighter on the right side.. I have to wait 3 more weeks to see how things settle..

Mine are under the muscle.. saline 400cc.. I couldnt handle it if they were bigger.. I have a follow up next week.. I'll let you know what my PS thinks..


By the way, I had some dates yesterday.. I think the dumping you had is due to the mere density of the date its self.. I think its harded to digest and may have to due with the solidity of the fruit and sugars.. maybe even partially blocking your stoma.. The gumminess of the fruit makes it hard to chew, swallow and digest.- thought you like to know

Michelle

Thank you Michelle.  I have not seen my  PS since my immediate follow-up back in 2004, so I was not sure about the repositioning that occurs.  When I stand, they are fine, a little low,  with the exception of one being slightly lower.  Since having WLS though I can feel the rippling of the plastic implants because of the tissue/fat lost in my breasts.  I think I'll have the PS look when I have my consult.  Thanks for always responding to my questions.

Mine are saline, half under the muscle/half over. I have had them for 18 years. They deflated after ten years, but I can tell you that they did move towards the armpit when I was laying on my back. I only went up one size, from a B to a C, so the movement was not all that obvious, but it was certainly there.

Thank you.  Do you know how long implants generally last before being replaced?  I thought I read somewhere that usually they are replaced XX years post op.

When I had my implants 18 years ago, I was told they would "last a lifetime". Obviously, that's not the case, especially with saline. 

When I had a consult with a surgeon in September 2011, I was going to replace mine with silicone, and was told by the consulting surgeon that I need to replace them every ten years.

I read somewhere the other day (I'll try to find the link) that one in five people who get silicone implants have a revision within the first year. I was shocked at those statistics, but got to thinking that most of it may be people who wanted a larger size. Not sure. The article did not give the reasons for revisions.

I have read MANY reports of saline leaks between 6-12 years. I guess they catch my eye since my salines leaked at 8 years. Most of the time, they don't report the reason for the leak, but if they do, it's usually a leak or hole along the seam of the implant. Someone posted here on this forum about a leak in her implants (I think she has had her salines since 2003) that turned out to be a hole in the seam.

My uneducated guess is that each person's body breaks down the shell at different rates, but I'm sure manufacturing companies have variations in shell quality and thickness that also contribute to breakdown. If I find any interesting articles, I'll post. Here's one, but I don't see any identifying information about who wrote this or where this information came from, so I would take it with a grain of salt although it does address some interesting points that one could use to begin researching this topic...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_often_do_you_have_to_replace_your_breast_implants

Here is a link where this question was asked of cosmetic surgeons, and quite a few replied. PLEASE note also, that cosmetic surgeons "may" make even more money on explants and revisions than they do on implants. Many people will need a lift if they remove their implants and choose not to replace them. The prices I've been quoted for explant and lift in the last month are around 9,300 dollars. For sure, anyone who gets implants should have a financial plan in place to be ready to deal with any future revisions, replacements, emergencies, etc. Also bear in mind that medical costs go up each year. When I consulted about removing my deflated implants three years ago, the same surgeon quoted me a price that was less than half what I'm about to pay to have it done this year. Here's that link...

http://www.realself.com/question/breast-implants-replacement 

I'm only 4 months out from 575cc silicone half unders and mine definitely shift toward the armpit when I lie on my back. Granted, they are standing up once they get there and my nipples aren't touching the bed near my back like they used to, so that's a plus! Guessing just the natural laxity that comes with this abused 40-year old bod causes it, but I can ask when I see my doc next week if my foggy brain remembers.

Take care!

Oh, and NEVER think you are a bother to your doctor. That is their job!

Denise

Thanks...I am going to ask when I have my consult.  I did not expect  once I lost this weight that would  cause me to be able to  feel the ripple of the plastic.  They are 8 years old now...not old.  I do not want to redo if not necessary at this  time due to funds.  575cc  I bet you look great.

 I had researched all over the internet to try and find an answer to this question .  Like you, I kept reading that they need to be replaced every 10 years.

I asked my surgeon and he told me that the 10 year thing is sort of a myth that gets repeated. He said the implants have a 10%/year failure rate(need to replace).  Someone, somewhere must have taken the number and extrapolated it thinking that 10% chance per year means in 10 years the failure rate is 100% (10x10=100).   Of course, this logic is faulty.

I've paraphrased him a bit, but this is my understanding.  He said you don't need to get them replaced unless you are having problems. There is no set failure date.