Mammogram with breast implants

@hello1234 aww ok that really stinks! They say the gummy bear are suppose to feel more natural but I suspect the heaviness of them as well. I really loved my saline implants. But I feel at this stage in my life at age 47 they don’t last long enough I refuse to keep getting them repaired. So that’s why the doctor offered me the gummy bear silicone. But I worry about the weight of them plus my radiated breast. Explant seems to be the better option. What stage was your cancer!

@christylv would you believe I voluntarily purchased implants (without cancer) when I was 40 years old as a treat to look better. The whole implant idea turned out to be more of a pain in the neck and lots of worry, with unnecessary
surgeries. Not a treat.
Life lesson.

@hello1234 I totally get it! Yeah sometimes it’s just not worth all the hassle. But I do understand why you did it. Not sure if I asked you already but did you consider an explant?

@christylv YES, definitely!!
I would definitely consider an explant when these rupture. The only pain with an explant is the surgeon said that I will need drains for about a week. He also said that I should have a breast lift at the same time to remove the stretched skin from the implant. I guess another option would be putting in a smaller implant, but I am not sure that's an option that makes sense or not.

@hello1234 yes your surgeon is correct! With a explant drains need to be put in. I heard they are uncomfortable. I am not looking forward to that part lol. I did consider a smaller implant too. But like you, not sure that’s a good option either. Do you know the size of your inplants? Mine are saline , 375 cc high profile under the muscle. I should include that I am only 5’1 . I would never ever go any bigger for my frame. Right now my right breast implant is totally deflated. That was seen on my recent mamogram and ultrasound. I thought I had some saline left in there but they said no. So kind of lopsided lol. Lucky it’s not to noticeable in shirts with my bra on. When are due for a mamogram?

@christylv The Mentor brand card there surgeon gave me says 455cc Memory Gel Breast Implant Smooth Round.
I am surprised they are telling you that the breast is totally deflated, but you are still getting some shape. When my right saline implant reputured, it totally deflated and it looked totally deflated.
My mammogram is due now. I am petrified of a rupture. I think I am going to start with a complete breast ultrasound in two weeks and see what that says. I think the ultrasound will be my first step into the world of breast testing and then I will go from there. What do you think you will do?

@hello1234 I think that’s a good idea. Start with the ultrasound first. Then see what they say about a mamogram. I was terrified too at first of mamograms with my saline inplants. But I am SO So happy I got them because thats what detected my DCIS and it was caught very early so chemo was not needed! How old are you? I have only been getting mamograms for 7 years now. So I have a long ways to go with them lol.
As far as my inplants I was shocked to that they told me it was totally deflated because I still have shape . Maybe because they are under the muscle and I had some breast tissue before I got the inplants. I was a b cup. So I am not sure . But they showed me my picture on the screen when the mamogram tech took it and a piece looked folded over like a plastic bag folded. She could not get the whole thing in the picture. Then when I had the ultrasound done the tech told me it was crumbled up on the left side of my breast. Which makes sense because I keep getting this picky sensation on that side every once in a while. So far I am definitely leaning towards an explant! But I do from time to time think of replacing with silicone . I am just so afraid of the complications that may come you know? 🙂

@christylv I am 65 years old now. Question: Do you think the radiologist would have found your DCIS if you only had the ultrasound? Also, do you happen to know if they checked the arm pit lymph nodes during the complete breast ultrasound process?

@hello1234 that is a great question. I am honestly not sure. There was calcifications found on the mamogram that looked suspicious. So that’s when they did the biopsy. If calcification s come up on an ultrasound they yes they would see those and if they looked suspicious they would biopsy them. As far as the ultrasound goes yes they Checked my lymph nodes.

Thank you so much @christylv 😊 I will keep you posted on what my ultrasound shows in two weeks. Please keep me posted on how you are doing and what you ultimately decide to do.