I was researching breast implant safety and came across a discussion on this website about peripheral neuropathy. My question is are their a lot of women having problems because of implants? I don't know if these articles I am reading are up-to-date or if they are referring to old implants that leaked. My plastic surgeon told me that todays silicone implants are not runny like the old ones. You can cut them in half and nothing runs out. They are like "gummy bears". This is also a type of firmer implant but only women involved in a study can receive them. The other types I am considering are cohesive and are more solid and not runny. I need to make up my mind if I want implants or not. I am also on a breast implant forum but they are all "pro" implant. I want some honest answers.

I answered you at the other forum...take a peek!

It seems not matter what body we are born with, we are somehow unhappy with it.

I was what would be considered 'under-endowed' my whole life, so are my daughters, but we always associated with a very athletic crowd, so that was never an issue, because none of the women we hung around with wanted more than they had, and most of the men, were attracted to very athletic women. One friend had a breast reduction, not for looks but for relief of back pain.

I breast fed 4 kids, and with exercise managed to keep a nice shape.

Now in middle age, I am what most folks would consider 'adequately endowed', probably because I have more body fat, and I personally preferred my 'less is more' state.

There is always some one willing to minimize risk to sell a product.

If you are willing to accept risk, and you really feel you NEED those implants, then you have your answer.

There is a great deal about the immune system that is unknown.

There is just as much about PN that is unknown.

Your beauty is not based on your breasts, there is so much more to you, so many more facets that I am sure are absolutely lovely.

Take a lot of time to think this over.

If you need reconstructive surgery, then you have different issues, and you need to discuss those issues with your health care provider and weigh risk versus benefit. Reconstructive surgery can be a necessity psychologically for some women, as mastectomy represents an amputation to some women.

If I needed reconstructive surgery, I would consider it, but due to my health, might not be able to tolerate it....but augmentation, is not worth it to me, and believe me, myself and my grown daughters are 'petite' above the waist...and it has never been an issue in attracting 'suitors'.

One month of living with PN, and I think you probably couldn't get rid of the implants fast enough, and by then, the PN may not be reversible or progression stopped.

A plastic surgeon can make you feel really ugly...once I went to have a small growth removed and by the time I left, I thought I needed a face lift, eye job and nose job...not to mention augmentation---oh, and they gave me an estimate!!!...I needed none of those procedures, then nor now, and would have no problem attracting men even 10 years younger than I....provided I keep my mouth shut about my PN.

Two of my kids needed plastic surgery due to injuries from an accident...that surgeon, told us we were a great looking family, and didn't sell us anything more than we needed, which was remediation for facial injuries caused by a head on.

If you want a real turn off to the opposite sex...start going on and on about your medical condition!!!!

I would be anxious to hear replies.
I'm new. Had fusion in c4/5 may 07, in aug 03 I had a toatl hysterectomy and and have had implants for 14 years and last January i think one burst. Unfortunately my doctor isn't around anymore and I can't affort 3600 to fix it yet. could this be part of my problems with exhaustion and bone pain etc?

I have 5 kids and they are 19g, 18b, 15g, 10b, and a 5year old with Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3/4 mod to severe aka brittle bone disease. over 100 fractures and 18 surgeries 14 on her bones alone, 13 on her legs. she had rods in all long bones of her legs.

that is all for now.

I just asked for a honest medical opinion not negative remarks about how people are not satisfied with their bodies. If you feel that you have to "rip" on me about my decision then don't reply.

Cristy,
I don't think any of us could tell you that the breast implants caused your problems. A lot of us have issues with implants. Mine are knee replacements. All my serious issues started 3 months after this surgery.

The thing that stood out in your post is your 5 year old with all the autoimmune problems. You've had those implants for all the years of her life and had them when she was born.

I am so sorry about her problems. But there is no doubt in my mind that some of your pain could be caused by the implants. And believe me, I know about this, there is worse pain than bone pain. I have PN and the bone pain.

This is a controversial issue and there are other threads about it. Do a search for implants.

Billye

The fact is most people are not satisfied with their bodies, hence the amount of money spent on diet programs, surgeries, and beauty products.

I do not know any one who is totally happy with their body. For some people it is more of an issue. One of my daughters was troubled by it for a while, but after she lived in Europe, she came home feeling just fine about herself....go figure...they have nude beaches over there and I guess people are less self conscious or something.

No one is ripping on you, on the contrary, I said you are likely a very lovely person. I would question the integrity of the person who made you feel any less attractive than you really are.

I hope that the implants give you the results you are looking for, no judgment value intended.

I am speaking to you as a formerly healthy active person who now has severe PN. PN isn't just one condition, it can be many, and it can be devastating. It can kill. I would never do anything to put myself at risk for it. Period. I have PN. I never had the option for implants and have not put anything foreign into my body...and I still have PN, sensory and autonomic due to small fiber neuropathy.

Many people have idiopathic PN, and there are hundreds of reasons for PN and many types of PN.

A lot of women had implants before they knew there was any danger to them. Those seemed to fall into the realm of autoimmune disease.

Some PN is autoimmune.

A lot of people have procedures and later find out they were dangerous to their health. I think they did some spinal nerve root blocks on my back that I wish I could take back. If I knew then that I had PN, I would not have had the nerve root blocks for the herniated discs. I would have done a risk-benefit analysis.

Nurses who used latex gloves are now developing latex allergies...same with people exposed to latex due to medical issues. Latex isn't silicone, but it is foreign. Perhaps silicone is more inert.

'Rejection' (autoimmune) is even an issue with joint replacement.

There are no answers...there are lawsuits...I don't know how productive any of those have been for those who have suffered from the effects of implants. I don't believe that there is any proof that implants cause PN, nor will their likely be any proof of that for many, many years.

They are not going to tie PN to implants in the for seeable future. And if you get implants and develop PN, you have to prove that your implants caused your PN.

If you feel you need the implants, go for it. I stated if I felt I needed them I would consider them.

I expect before the surgery, you will have to sign a waiver, and informed consent. I am sure the doctors will cover themselves for any unforseen developments due to the surgery.

I really don't think anyone here is trying to 'rip' you at all. Far from it in fact. Thing is, that any connections to implants of any kind and the development of immune issues is once bone of contention among many here.
For me it is not. And for facts on implants old, new and what's coming down the pike so to speak I recommend the following web site:
http://www.breastcancer.org/ They have all sorts of info research and communcation resources that can fill you in on the wide discussions relating to implants.
I have one implant. I believe I am in a trial, but my circumstances are far different from those others with Breast Cancer, as my neuropathy came long first, it took a lot of self-searching and deciding which type of implant to get. I do know that my balance was so impaired to begin with before the diagnosis then surgery, that after, I knew an implant of some sort was essential. Those few key ounces in a critical balance place make a biig difference to issues such as falling and breaking bones - not fun!
I hope this helps, I find it pitiful that some docs don't explain things well at all.
Now if the web site I've listed you are finding to be 'pro-implant'? Id be surprised, it's an issue as to what kind, when, how and all as well as the research backing things up that are key to making YOUR decision. The more info to base yours on the better.
Christy? I suggest that you contact the hospital where you had the surgery done...They should have records. For your own safety it sure wouldn't hurt to see a new doc and have things checked out! ASAP? Please?
Good thoughts and hope to all for the coming year! This last one's been a bummer for sure! [golly I can date myself!] - j

If you do a search on silicone in this forum, you will find we've posted a reasonable amount on the issue. You will find articles as well as personal experience.

Personally, I think the risk is too high. And I wouldn't believe a word the plastic surgeons say. They are invested in selling the stuff. Do your own research.

And ask yourself this---even if the chance is small; do you want to have to deal with a horrible horrible consequence, when the risk was for nothing but an augmentation?

Thanks for clarifying that for me , D and LJ.

Happy New Year Folks, I have to drag my sorry behind to a New Years get together....It is for my own good.......it is therapeutic.....

(you know you are getting old when dinner is served at 6 and you plan on being home in bed by 9. Those are my plans anyway)

No offense to all you wonderful New Yorkers...but that ball thing is just not worth staying up for anymore...not even with the NEW LED lights.