Experiences with Bilateral Mastectomy and Silicone Implants?

Nadia, the stats show 64.9% of women who have mastectomy will have a recurrence within 3 yrs. Only 50%

Of women with lumpectomy have a recurrence within 3 yrs. My cancer came back after 14 years, but in my bones. I believe it is better to have a lumpectomy.

Hi Nadia- I have TNBC and am BRCA 2 positive, so I’ve opted for bilat mastectomy. Surgery due end of Nov-ish. I met w/plastic surgeon: need expanders, then when the size is acceptable to me, then implants (I’m thinking saline), then might need a fat graft for aesthetics. I’m happy to share my surgical journey if you think it would be helpful to you.

I had bc mastectomy right breast . It was delayed and then silicone implant . Still in great condition. New occurrence on left Breast now and considering mastectomy again even though doctors recommend lumpectomy

Yes. I just want it put so I don't worry about it will come back in the other one. What I'd really want to know is if people de eloped silicone sickness symptoms after a few yrs?

Nadia, I had double mastectomy 3 years ago (only found in 1 breast) and did implants in same surgery. No problems to date. Glad I made that decision.

Surgery in April, implants in August . I see my Surgeon Monday and I haven't been so miserable and angry as I am. The plastic surgeon was ok my for the surgical procedure, the implants no. If I lay flat on my back my breasts are in my armpits, and you can feel them moving and it hurts. What are the options anther Surgery. He told me oh you can go get your tattoos anytime the nipples, no you can't, you have to wait at least 4-6 months to let your scar heal.

Lori H: where are you located?

He didn't remove enough tissue or implants are too small

I had DMX with tissue expanders. I then had radiation. Right now I’m very lopsided but I have the official switch out, with associated liposuction from my belly to build slopes, in a little over two weeks!

I am in Glen Ellyn Illinois. Saw my Cancer surgeon yesterday and she said that I need to have both sides redone.

I had bilateral mastectomy 6 years ago. Expanders , then silicone implants. Had two fat grafting surgeries but they didn’t really help a lot. Some fat didn’t have a good blood supply so didn’t live. I’m happy with my implants.

I have freezing boob's all the time. Lots of pain from the Lympnoids removal, scar tissue and nerve damage. The breast size doesn't match. I was at 115 pounds when I had reconstruction surgery, and now I'm 140. I am considering another surgery, so they are at least the same size, maybe the reconstruction could help the scar tissue. I am cold all the time, even in the summer. The expander gave me infection, I was in the hospital 3 times with IV antibiotics. The last time they sent me home with a port and IV antibiotics every 8 hours. That was horrible.

Freezing from silicone implants??

The implants are definitely colder to the touch but you don’t notice it until you touch them. Otherwise, there is no feeling.

It is so insane that no one tells us that any of this can happen to us. Every time they do surgery more nerves are damaged, having my implants redone by a different doctor don't know when, but may need to go to anesthesiologist for injections for the pain. Sounds like fun.

Hello I have my expander in Oct 29 2024 and just I can say is feel burning and stretching the skin presión , and pinch all that at the same time . I see this the stitches are hilling good no fever . I hope I don’t cash a infección well I and my surgeon way that happen and she say : they don’t follow rules no pool no hot tub shower . Eat good brink water and rest all you can . Put your support bra . Wash whit soap and rinse whit water . Know aim going to have my silicon in January . And will start my immune therapy this month .just 2 of the chemo Herpartin and Taxotere for one year more and then see if all I did was helpful .

I’m HER2 ++ and had bilateral mastectomy, and expanders with saline implants, they are very hard and uncomfortable. But will be replaced with silicone implants when treatment is over. Good luck to you. Sending prayers! Kay

Virginia, where do you get those stats? 64.9% will have a recurrence? It seems to be very high!

Found it: The recurrence rate for breast cancer is around 10% in the treated breast after a lumpectomy or mastectomy. However, the recurrence rate for lumpectomy patients is slightly higher than for mastectomy patients, with a 15% chance of recurrence for lumpectomy patients compared to 6% for mastectomy patients. (Same article)

I had a bilateral mastectomy then I did DIEP reconstruction. I was able to keep my skin and nipples, but that is just for esthetics….

Mayra, I did not find Tonya's reply distressing. She quoted the facts of a particular study. You are right in that we all don't fit in the same box. I look at this group for support due to a common link...BC. Hopefully, most people can apply conditions that mirror their's. Personally, I completely ignore statements, considered factual, without reference to where the "facts" come from. There are so many studies...old, new and ongoing. It doesn't mean they are the "facts", it means, in this particular study, here are the findings. Tomorrow, a similar study could have an article written with a different outcome. I leave outcomes to the researchers and how to interpret them to the medical team. My background is in the medical field, and I have read many studies. Now, I only read them if they are statistically significant or if I'm having trouble falling asleep. 😴

Dina: thank you for posting this study.

I just had a lumpectomy 11/18 stage 1A no. Cancer in lymph nodes and they got it all. I had implants when I got the cancer 25 years old saline implants. They removed them got the cancer then put 2 new silicone implants in. Only 5 radiation treatments are needed. I am not doing hormone blockers. I refuse. Too many bad side effects. I’m 69…

This is such an important decision that many in the community face, and reaching out for shared experiences shows great wisdom. Each person's journey with bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction is unique, with different outcomes and feelings about their choices. Hoping others here can share their experiences to help provide the perspectives needed for this significant decision.