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Breast implant removal

Jan4
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I had a mastectomy with immediate implant about 18 months ago. The implant has been uncomfortable and hard, I now have the choice of keeping it or having it removed and using a breast prosthesis. I would really like to hear from anyone who has had an implant removed, and also what it is like using a prosthesis in terms of comfort and appearance. 

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    Hi Jan4 I had a mastectomy a year ago and have had a few problems. I had a tissue expander which never settled as my body rejected it. I had it removed in July and had another one fitted. This again was never right and after many infections I had that one removed 6 weeks ago. I decided that I had gone through enough and said I didn't want anything else. I am getting my prosthesis tomorrow so I will let you know how it feels. I am much happier now though and am comfortable with not having anything in my body.

  • Offline in reply to Saltholme

    Hi Saltholme, thank you for responding to my message. I’m sorry to hear about your expander problems and infections. All the best for today, and I look forward to hearing from you once you’ve had the expander out. I really feel unsure what to do because unlike the original mastectomy, if I have further surgery it would be entirely optional and I’d hate to end up with further complications. That said, my implant has never felt right to me, made worse after radiotherapy, and sits way too high on my chest.

  • Offline in reply to Jan4

    Hello Jan4 ,I had double mastectomies in 22 and chemotherapy.I wore the prosthesis and felt happy with ,them , .

    They felt comfortable but I was always reminded of the cancer when I stripped off .Decided to have the chestexpanders and having my final op in May ,all good so far .

    I do think that they never will feel like your normal breasts but shouldn’t be uncomfortable either ,good luck xx

  • Offline in reply to Jan4

    Good morning Jan4. I had my expander removed 6 weeks ago and I am not getting another one. It is a prosthesis I am getting later this morning. Hopefully I have finished with operations 

  • Offline in reply to Saltholme

    Good luck with the operation in May Rupelstilskin, and it’s good to know you found the prosthesis comfortable. I don’t know how I’ll feel about being flat if I have the implant removed but I’m hoping I will feel more confident when going out and about because at the moment the implant is so much higher than my other side that I’m having to put foam padding over my own breast and even then I’m aware of the difference. 

  • Offline in reply to Jan4

    Going flat was fine ,to be honest with you ,but I had both breast removed . You will be great with the prosthesis xx

  • Hello,

    You have posted in the Ask the Nurses section of the forum.

    You may get responses from other forum users, by posting in the general area of the forum instead.

    Breast Cancer Now, the UK charity, also have a forum,

    https://forum.breastcancernow.org/

    I hope that this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    Oh! I’m new to this so will give it a try. Thank you 

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