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Ask the Doctor- Are My Symptoms From My Saline Implants?

February 12, 2016 by

This week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: Hello I am from NY and am having a very difficult time and I believe it is from my Saline Implants. I came across your site and am hoping you can advise. Since my implants in 1998, I’ve had severe hives, and now chronic eczema. Over the last 2 years I’ve had severe skin rashes, non-stop and an elevated white blood count for approx 15 years. I have always felt sick etc. Dr’s are not sure why, and chalk up to allergies etc.

I believe I am having low grade infection and sensitive to the implant and the chemicals attached to the silicone shell. I cannot find a Dr who is experienced with an explanation with an En Bloc in my area (I live far from city etc) My question is, is there any symptoms or literature that you know of that could correlate with what I am experiencing. Or is there any test to pinpoint that it could be from a mold or bacterial infection coming from implant.

I do not have any fevers…just feeling generally unwell, high IGE count, and ALWAYS elevated WBC. I am desperate for any help. Thank you.

Answer:  I’m sorry you are having problems. If your symptoms began when your implants were placed the best option may be to have your implants removed. If you begin to feel better then you know. Taking your implants out doesn’t mean you couldn’t have them placed again later if your problems are found to not be related.

Many women need to have their implants removed and are pleasantly surprised that their breasts look better than they thought after the implants are removed. Thanks for your question.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

 

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Ask The Doctor-Should I be concerned about how long I’ve had my implants?

October 2, 2015 by

14559896579_6b1b533f52_zThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had mastectomy & silicone implants in late ’92. I was never happy with them. My concern is the years I’ve had my implants, and I won’t go back to my plastic surgeon who did them. Should I have any concerns about their age? I do have other issues with the appearance. Thank you in advance.

Answer: In general, implants don’t need to be replaced after any certain time following surgery. As time goes by, there is a chance that the implants could leak. In that situation, they would likely change by getting more firm. If the implants are not causing problems, there is probably nothing wrong. If you are unhappy with the results, then you should have a plastic surgeon see you and give an opinion. If you don’t want to go back to the surgeon who did the surgery, then you should get a second opinion from another plastic surgeon in your area. We see patients who have had problems with their implants frequently and if you would like to be seen we could make arrangements. If you are not in the area, I would be glad to make arrangements  for a phone consult. Just let me know. Thank you for your question.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

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Ask The Doctor-What is the best next step after losing an implant on the radiated side?

May 1, 2015 by

pink flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had both breasts removed with stage 4 cancer. The left breast with the silicone wouldn’t stay closed, so the plastic surgeon did a tram flap with muscle from my abdomen. So now one breast has silicon and the other has muscle from my adomen. I didn’t get nipples on my breast. Is there anything else I can do to improve this mess.

Answer: Thank you for your question. After losing an implant on the radiated side, the best next step is to reconstruct that breast with natural tissue. Which you did. As you are aware complications with implants increase when radiation is needed. Since you already have an implant on the other side. it will tend to be different from the tram side. Options include adjusting the shape of both breasts vs. replacing the other implant with natural tissue from another area of your body. We recommend doing this without using any of your muscles, only skin and fat either from the thigh area or buttock area. If you are happy with the implant breast reconstruction and don’t want to start over and go through another extensive reconstruction using natural tissue then it may be possible to adjust the TRAM reconstruction in a way that helps. You can always have nipple reconstruction if you desire, and that can be done as a minor procedure alone or possibly combined with revision of the reconstruction. I could give you more specific information about your options if you would like to give me a few more specific details. Thanks again for the question, let me know if I you would like more information.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

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Ask The Doctor-What can be done about infected implants?

April 10, 2015 by

yellow flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had implants, and they got infected. I had six operations I’m in New York right now, but I’m on my way to South Carolina. I would like to come in so I could see what can be done. Thank you.

Answer: I’m sorry your having problems with your implants. We have helped many women who have lost implants due to infection. Let us know when your in town, and I’ll be glad to see you.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

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Ask The Doctor-Will my pectoral muscles will return to normal after I have my implants removed?

March 27, 2015 by

purple flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had a mastectomy with reconstruction using saline implants. I am considering having the implants removed, and am wondering if my pectoral muscles will return to normal.

Answer: Thank you for your question. If you are planning to have your implants removed, then are you planning to have any further reconstruction? Frequently, tissue expanders and breast implants used for breast reconstruction are placed under the chest muscle. If you are having problems with your chest muscles because of the breast implants, it is likely that some of the  problems would improve or possibly go away completely if you have the implants removed. On the other hand, it is very unlikely that your muscles will ever go completely back to normal after they have been lifted up and or divided to cover an implant. In my practice we keep the implants above the muscle. When this is possible the muscle is not disrupted at all. When we have a patient who has had problems with their implants, we can usually help them by removing the implant and capsule and reattaching the muscle. We then perform the breast reconstruction with the new breast on top of the muscle. If you  choose to have breast reconstruction after problems with implants, then replacing them with your own fatty tissue can be a great option. Let me know if you need more information. Thanks again for your question!

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

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Ask The Doctor- If you choose natural breast reconstruction as opposed to implants is there sensation in the breast?

February 20, 2015 by

multi-colored flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: If you choose natural breast reconstruction as opposed to implants is there sensation in the breast? Is there sensation with nipple sparing? What is the rate of success with natural reconstruction? Thank you.

Answer: As a general rule, there is no erogenous sensation after any type of breast reconstruction, although in isolated circumstances some people do seem to get that back, or something like it. Most of the skin is usually completely numb initially, but may regain some feeling after months, or even years. Even after nipple-sparing mastectomy, there is usually no sensation. While it is theoretically possible for the nerves to grow back, it is rare to get normal feeling back, even after a prolonged period. The flap survival rate after natural breast reconstruction is approximately 98%. Completion of reconstruction usually requires 2 or 3 surgeries in all, but they tend to get sequentially shorter and less involved. Once you have competed natural breast reconstruction, however, your breasts will usually continue to improve on their own for many years. This is in sharp contrast to implant-based reconstruction, where the quality of the reconstruction often tends to deteriorate over time. Thank you for your question.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

(**Note to our readers: We really do personally reply to all questions sent through our website within 24 to 48 hours directly to the e-mail provided by the sender. We want you to receive your answer quickly, so please assure that you are entering your information correctly so that you receive the personal answer to your question and do not have to wait for it to be published as an Ask The Doctor Q & A.) 

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Ask The Doctor-I had a double mastectomy in 2008 and now wish I had implants…is it too late?

December 12, 2014 by

white flowersThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I had a double mastectomy in 2008 and now wish I had had implants…is it too late?

Answer: Yes, you can have breast reconstruction 8 years after your mastectomies. I have patients who have waited 22 years. Also its up to you and your plastic surgeon which technique is best for you. That includes implants. Thank you for you question!

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!

 

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Ask The Doctor-I’m having implant difficulties. Can you help?

December 5, 2014 by

lotus flowerThis week, James E. Craigie, MD, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

Question: I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in my left breast in December of 2010. I had a lumpectomy in January 2011 followed by chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and radiation. I have implants now. The right implant has dropped and the left is hard and contracted. I need help. My 36d has been replaced by 38b and the cups are too big. Please help.

Answer: I’m sorry you’re having problems with your breast reconstruction. Our practice specializes in breast reconstruction using your own tissue and preserving your body’s muscles.  Approximately 30% of our patients have already had implants and we remove them and complete their reconstruction without implants. You may already know that after radiation the chance for complications with implants increases. We have helped many women having similar problems to what you described. I would be glad to give you more specific information about your situation but I would need more information from you. I could talk to you over the phone or you could come for a consult depending on what is most convenient and where you live. Let me know.

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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Ask The Doctor – I Have an Implant But Want Natural Reconstruction

October 31, 2014 by

<alt="natural breast reconstruction"/>This week, Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

QUESTION: I had reconstructive surgery on my right breast in 2008. I have a silicone implant, but it feels like a hard lump on my chest. I’m 62 and healthy. I don’t know if my insurance will cover it if I decided to have the natural reconstruction.

ANSWER: Usually your insurance will cover conversion of an unsatisfactory implant reconstruction to a reconstruction using your own tissue with no problem, but we always check first to be sure. If you wish, we can give you a call to discuss your situation in more detail. Many, many people are or have been in your situation, and we are usually able to help.

— Richard M. Kline, Jr., M.D.    

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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Ask The Doctor – What is the risk of keeping older saline implants in?

October 17, 2014 by

<alt="saline implants"/>This week, Dr. Richard M. Kline, Jr. of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

QUESTION: I had my breasts removed 25 years ago and I have saline implants in. I have discovered that one the right one has capsular constriction. It has become very hard, very round, very painful, and almost swollen under my armpit. If I let this go as is, what could happen? What are the risks involved?

ANSWER:  With saline implants, nothing much else is likely to happen, but the situation is not likely to improve on its own. If you had silicone gel implants, the gel could continue spreading through your tissue indefinitely. While this is not medically dangerous (doesn’t cause cancer or lupus or anything like that), it does “mess up” a lot of breast tissue, and I would encourage you to have it removed ASAP. With saline, there’s far less concern for ongoing damage. If you would like to have implant(s) removed and replace with your own tissue, that is our specialty, we do it routinely, and we would be glad to help you. But if you just wanted reassurance and can live with the present situation, you’ll be OK. Thanks for your question!

— Richard M. Kline, Jr., M.D.    

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

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