questions and referrals

[Guest guest]

I have reached a point where I feel like I need to have my nearly

10 year old saline implants removed. I have several questions, but

have not been able to meet with a doctor yet – my original surgeon

does not do routine explantations unless there are obvious problems

and he did not want to do it without replacing them. My opinion

is " get them out! " , so why would I want them replaced? I wonder if

any of you could help with my questions.

First, I need to find a good doctor. Does anyone know of any in King

or Pierce County (Seattle/Tacoma area) of Washington State? That is

where I live now. I really can't travel farther as I am a single Mom

and the person who would drive me can't travel too far.

Also: I have textured implants. Does that make the removal more

difficult? Can this be done with local anesthesia – especially with

the scar capsule removal process, as I am really afraid of general

anesthesia ? Has everyone who had theirs removed needed drains?

What are the experiences of people who did not have the scar capsule

removed? How was recovery – my implantation was awful. It was the

worst pain I ever had – and I delivered two, nine pound babies with

no drugs!

I know it is a lot of questions, but I don't know who else to turn to

right now.

Thanks so much in advance!

[Guest guest]

Hi Montana!

Wecome to Saline Support! . . . I'm sorry to hear

you're having problems . . . But happy to tell you've

found a great place for information and support!

The doctor we have for Washington state is: Dr. Helen

P/S, 3001 Squalicum Pkwy,

Bellingham WA 98225, (360)676-0972 Contact Cat:

Cattoline@... who was explanted by her.

The key to playing it safe while explanting is having

the procedure done " en bloc " . . . That means removing

the capsules with the implants still inside. Whether

your implants are textured or not shouldn't matter if

they are removed this way. This is to avoid spilling

contaminated contents into your body. The drains are

to remove any fluid accumulations to avoid possible

further procedures to relieve pressure. They are a

nusiance, but having fluid squeezed out of an incision

is much worse!

It takes more time and skill to remove implants right!

Most doctors don't want to take the time and will tell

you anything to avoid doing so! So, it's important to

find a doctor you can trust to do the job right. If a

doctor tells you that you will be deformed without

implants, run! With a good doctor, you should look as

good, if not better than you did before implants!

Having implants removed is usually a piece of cake

when compared to having them put in! You will feel

sore, but should not be in pain. You will probably

feel considerably better right after surgery and may

be bursting with energy. . . Take it easy anyway! . .

.. Your body still needs to heal.

If you'll wear a snug, but comfortable, sports bra

24/7, the internal scar tissue will help you to shape

up nicely. Initially you may be somewhat flat, but

over the next few months, you should fluff up. Think

of sitting on a pillow and how it fluffs after you get

off it.

Most of the women who have had breast implants also

have a systemic fungal problem. You can do a self test

(unscientific) to check yourself. Spit in a glass of

water the first thing in the morning - before putting

anything in your mouth. Check it after 15 minutes. If

it's clear, you pass. If there is a floating, milky

blob with tendrils hanging down, or particles

floating, or a milky blob sunken to the bottom the the

glass, it can indicate a problem.

If so, you will find it helpful to educate yourself on

Candida . . . The Yeast Connection is an old, but

still valid book.

We have a number of things we recommend to help speed

your healing along . . . none of which will fix you

until your breast implants are out though! You'll find

a bunch of suggestions in the archives. And, our

wonderful ladies are here to share their experiences

with you!

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your positive message. The more I read, the more I

want these things out! I just wish I would have seen this group

BEFORE I had the implants done! When I had it done, the

complications were dismissed by my surgeon. He just quickly read

through a brief standard list, but said those things rarely happen.

Even now, I am having a hard time finding a surgeon that removes

implants, especially without replacing them. They say there is no

reason to remove them. I really don't care what I look like; I just

want to be healthy. It is such a foreign concept to them that they

look at me as if I am crazy.

Unfortunately, I cannot travel as far north as Bellingham, it is

about 150 miles/3 hours from me, and I am depending on my Mom (who

cannot drive that far) to take me. Does anyone know of a good

surgeon closer to Seattle/Tacoma?

Thanks for the support. It is so good to know there are others out

there who understand. Especially when the doctors I talk to are so

defensive.

Thanks again,

Sue

>

> Hi Montana!

>

> Wecome to Saline Support! . . . I'm sorry to hear

> you're having problems . . . But happy to tell you've

> found a great place for information and support!

>

> The doctor we have for Washington state is: Dr. Helen

> P/S, 3001 Squalicum Pkwy,

> Bellingham WA 98225, (360)676-0972 Contact Cat:

> Cattoline@a... who was explanted by her.

>

> The key to playing it safe while explanting is having

> the procedure done " en bloc " . . . That means removing

> the capsules with the implants still inside. Whether

> your implants are textured or not shouldn't matter if

> they are removed this way. This is to avoid spilling

> contaminated contents into your body. The drains are

> to remove any fluid accumulations to avoid possible

> further procedures to relieve pressure. They are a

> nusiance, but having fluid squeezed out of an incision

> is much worse!

>

> It takes more time and skill to remove implants right!

> Most doctors don't want to take the time and will tell

> you anything to avoid doing so! So, it's important to

> find a doctor you can trust to do the job right. If a

> doctor tells you that you will be deformed without

> implants, run! With a good doctor, you should look as

> good, if not better than you did before implants!

> Having implants removed is usually a piece of cake

> when compared to having them put in! You will feel

> sore, but should not be in pain. You will probably

> feel considerably better right after surgery and may

> be bursting with energy. . . Take it easy anyway! . .

> . Your body still needs to heal.

>

> If you'll wear a snug, but comfortable, sports bra

> 24/7, the internal scar tissue will help you to shape

> up nicely. Initially you may be somewhat flat, but

> over the next few months, you should fluff up. Think

> of sitting on a pillow and how it fluffs after you get

> off it.

>

> Most of the women who have had breast implants also

> have a systemic fungal problem. You can do a self test

> (unscientific) to check yourself. Spit in a glass of

> water the first thing in the morning - before putting

> anything in your mouth. Check it after 15 minutes. If

> it's clear, you pass. If there is a floating, milky

> blob with tendrils hanging down, or particles

> floating, or a milky blob sunken to the bottom the the

> glass, it can indicate a problem.

>

> If so, you will find it helpful to educate yourself on

> Candida . . . The Yeast Connection is an old, but

> still valid book.

>

> We have a number of things we recommend to help speed

> your healing along . . . none of which will fix you

> until your breast implants are out though! You'll find

> a bunch of suggestions in the archives. And, our

> wonderful ladies are here to share their experiences

> with you!

>

> Hugs and prayers,

>

> Rogene

>