Re: Re: breast explant ??? I had the exact same situation!-Sh...

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Sue

I am not sure to voice what I think about the doctor thing.... the proper way to remove them is to not drain them first - you haven't had your implants long so this may not be an issues for you but if there is any mold/bacteria accumulation in them then you run the chance of getting it inside you. I not a doctor or enbloc expert but I believe the proper way to remove them is completely intact... capsule and all come out in one move and the implants are removed completely full. Then they remove any remaining scar tissue before closing you up and installing drains. This is how mine were removed (except I didn't have drains - big mistake!) and I still have them completely intact. If there is any possibility of you having legal opportunities due to implant leakage, etc., that will al go out the door if your doctor removes them the way she has described. A lot of docs who do not understand implant illness try to remove them this way to avoid a bigger incision and it makes it easier for them but I would really recommend against it. When mine were removed they were measured and weighed and one had 30cc's less fluid in it than it was supposed to!! plus they were missing over 30% of their textured shell which was in the capsule and spread all over my body. Both were proved to have leaking valves which may have set me up for a potential lawsuit if the time had not been so long since implanting and in 99 I had a complete rupture which needed replaced and I had to sign a release then which screwed me on any lawsuits. You have not had your implants very long - if there is a possibility of certain issues going on with them then you may be able to pursue something legally if you have them removed intact and have them properly analyzed. Not to say that you could find an atty to take the case - I gave up years ago as most of them do not want to deal with you regarding implants. I would just strongly advise you getting another opinion on the removal - the way your doc has described is definitely not en bloc.

also - regarding the numbness thing I just am not sure. If I remember correctly you had rather large implants? if this is the case possibly they are pressing on or damaging nerve endings which may be causing the numbness - I truly can not say. Maybe if they are removed along w/ the scar tissue you may have a chance although I would guess your doc may have done the damage during the implanting which may not be reversible. I really hope you can get your feeling back... that is the only good thing I can say about my implant nightmare ... my original incisions were in my armpits and under the muscle to avoid the possible numbness thing that happened to you according to my jerkhead doctor - "it is much more painful to heal but you do not run the risk of nerve damage and have no visible scars" what a jerk as I developed CC right away so he went in through the nipple to remove and reinsert them. 2 years later I had the rupture where he went back in through the nipple. When I explants they went into the crease under my breast as they should so now I have 4 scars but luckily no nerve damage. That was certainly against the odds and I am grateful there. Actually a friend of mine who got hers from he same doc as me around the same time had the same problem as you - from the nipples down no sensation at all - completely numb. She still has hers, unfortunately, so I can not tell you if it goes away after removal. I wish I could be more helpful.... I guess we can all hope and pray for you that your implants are pressing on nerves and upon removal you can get back to normal...I truly hope that is the case but you just can not tell.

I still would advise that you talk to a few other girls here about the enbloc procedure - it is VERY important if you want to heal correctly and completely. If you use the correct doctor the larger scar is not an issue and is barely visable plus speaking from experience here - if I had not had mine removed intact and had them analyzed by Dr.Blais', a specialist in Canada on implants, I never would have won my insurance appeal to pay to have them removed. His reports on what he found in the fluid and valves of my implants won my case and if your doctor messes with the valves to drain them you do not have much to have analyzed. And as far as the scar capsules go - I am sure you have one - may not be as thick as someother that have had them for years but your body forms that right away as it immediately starts fighting the foreign object in your body - that is its way of defending against them. my capsule was so thick after only 4 months they had to go in and remove it. I am sure you have a thin capsule around both of them that definitely has to be removed.

I wish you luck - please feel free to ask any more questions or concerns you may have - we have all been there!!!

love

shari