Re: Lift after explant

[Guest guest]

Christene, I had my lift at the time of explant and I am happy that I did it. I was cautioned that doing a lift at the time of explant would not allow the best in aesthetic outcome, but it was my implanting plastic surgeon who told me that. (maybe he just wanted the future business?) In any case, I didn't use him for the reasons we talk about on our group. I went to one of the doctors on our list and I am so glad I had the lift at the time of explant because I sure wouldn't want to go through any more yucky surgery. If the surgeon knows what they are doing, your aesthetic outcome should be completely acceptable and I know that many women even look better than before they got implants in the first place. The scarring can be an issue, but with the newer techniques they use, it doesn't have to be as extensive as it used to be. Dr. Feng uses a lollipop technique, and I think

more and more surgeons are using it as well. You are left with a vertical scar coming down from the aerola (hence the name lollipop), and once that fades it is almost invisible. Mine was the traditional anchor scar, and while it has faded for the most part, it is definitely visible. Ask for that lollipop lift if you discuss it. There is a checklist of things to ask your doctor. It can be found on Lany's explant site. I'll give you the link and post the section on what to ask your doctor: http://community-2.webtv.net/lany25/LifeAfterBreast/ Questions to Ask the Plastic Surgeon Ask

if s(he) is familiar with 'the en bloc procedure' for removing implants. Ask how many procedures of this nature s(he) has performed, and when the last one was performed. Have the plastic surgeon explain, step-by-step, how the procedure will take place. Begin with how you will be "prepped." for surgery. Ask if it would be possible for you to view some "before and after" photos of explantation surgeries s(he) has performed. If the plastic surgeon did not mention drains in the explanation of how the procedure will be done, ask if s(he) will use drains to prevent accumulation of fluid and infection. Ask how long the surgery will take. Ask how long initial recovery will take. Ask the length of time it will be

until you are able to function independently at home. Find out how long you will need someone to stay with you after surgery. It is advisable that someone stay with you for the first 24 hours, and possibly a little longer. depending upon your recovery progress. Ask how long it will be before you can resume normal activity. Everybody recovers at different rates, but most women are 'out-of-commission' for about two weeks, and cannot raise their arms above their heads for a month or longer. Find out how long you are not to lift anything heavier than three pounds, how long you should not drive, and how long should you wait to participate in any strenuous activities such as jogging, sex, exercising...etc. . Ask what size (s)he expects you to be after the surgery. Have the plastic surgeon explain what Mastopexy (breast

lift) surgery is, how it is performed, and if you would benefit from it. (Please see the web page, "Mastopexy: Other Options for Breast Reconstruction.") Ask If (s)he will prescribes antibiotics after surgery to prevent the complication of infection. Discuss all post-op medications he will use and what their purposes are. Ask if it would be possible to fill them the day before surgery to provide the convenience of them being available directly following surgery. Ask if (s)he will film the surgery on video. If so, request a copy for yourself. Ask whether or not you need to supply a blank tape. If this is not possible, ask if you may provide a camera to have the surgery photographed. Ask what type of bandage (s)he will use and how long it is to remain on. Ask

when you will need to start wearing the sports bra. Ask for the phone numbers you will need to get in touch with him after-hours. Request that any cysts or other suspicious tissue be sent to the pathologist for examination and report. Tell him that you would like to have any removed suspicious tissue and cysts returned to you with your implants. You may wish to have another pathologist examine them at a later date. Explain that you wish to have your implants returned to you. Ask which pathology service he uses and ask for their contact information. Ask him the proper procedure to use to ensure that your implants are returned to you. Explain that you would like to request copies of the Operative Report and the Pathology Report from this surgery. Ask about proper

procedure to ensure that you receive these copies. Once You Have Selected a Plastic Surgeon and Have Set a Surgery Date, Be Sure to Discuss the Following With Your Doctor: List all Medications that you take, including the strength and frequency that you take them.Inform your doctor of any drug allergies that you may have. Also, let your doctor know if you are allergic to latex or talc. Make a list of all of any symptoms you may have, include dates that they began, and how they have progressed since they began. Include a history of all surgeries you have had.Obtain and bring your original operative/surgical report from having your breast augmentation surgery. The original operative report will contain helpful information about your implants, such as: the manufacturer, the

model number, the lot number, and the will indicate how the implant was positioned. Also, bring any recent MRI, mammogram, xeromamogram, or ultrasound reports. If you have had any recent lab work, bring these results with you, even though, your doctor will probably have them repeated prior to surgery. A comparison of the most recent labwork and the labwork he will do, will be helpful to your doctor. usmcprincess3002 <usmcprincess3002@...> wrote: Good Morning Ladies,Just curious to know if anybody had a lift after explant and how is the scarring? My appt is today with Atlanta Plastic Surgery and I've had these dumb things since June 1999 I'm a DD right now and I think I will most likely be a C after removal but

thats a big change so I'll discuss a lift with Dr. Elliott. I could always wait too, but if I do it now I save $2200 in anesthesia costs alone!Rogene is there a checklist of things to talk to doctor about? I've been trying to go through all of the info I've gotten from the group and there is just soooooo much I'm certain I've missed something.Christene

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[Guest guest]

Christene,

The things that are important to your long term health

is if they will make every attempt to remove your

implants " en bloc " - that means to remove the capsules

that have grown around your implants with the implants

STILL inside . . . or if unable to do that, will do

everything possible to remove ALL the capsule. Even

then, there are RARE cases where some of the capsule

must be left behind . . . But that's where having a

doctor whom you trust completely comes in. . . Also,

drains should be used to avoid a buildup of fluid or

blood that could lead to extreme pain and possible

complications.

As to the kind of incision, post care, supplements, I

leave that to you and your doctor . . . Doctors use

different incisions, recommend supplements, scar care,

etc. on an individual basis. Just be sure that what

your doctor says makes sense to you! . . . If it

doesn't ask, ask, ask . . . Remember this is YOUR

body, YOU are employing the surgeon! . . . It's their

job to make YOU happy!

As to lift or no lift . . . Ask your doctor if you

need one. . . Chances are, with that big a change you

will . . . but if your skin is really elastic, you may

not! As one gets older, their skin become less elastic

.. . . that's a really individual thing too!

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Hi Rogene, I just took my monthly tests when I have the result I will see my doctor and after I will schedule an appoinment with my surgeon to talk about my explant with I am now completely sure is the only right thing to do. Reading this e-mail I wanted to ask you what is that about DRAINS can you explain that to me. Until now I understand it has to be an EN BLOC removal maybe with an inmediate LIFT that unless my doctor advices me not to but the part about drains is new for me. Thank you for all your help it means everything to me. Take care. Regards, RoxanaRogene S <saxony01@...> wrote: Christene,The things that are

important to your long term healthis if they will make every attempt to remove yourimplants "en bloc" - that means to remove the capsulesthat have grown around your implants with the implantsSTILL inside . . . or if unable to do that, will doeverything possible to remove ALL the capsule. Eventhen, there are RARE cases where some of the capsulemust be left behind . . . But that's where having adoctor whom you trust completely comes in. . . Also,drains should be used to avoid a buildup of fluid orblood that could lead to extreme pain and possiblecomplications.As to the kind of incision, post care, supplements, Ileave that to you and your doctor . . . Doctors usedifferent incisions, recommend supplements, scar care,etc. on an individual basis. Just be sure that whatyour doctor says makes sense to you! . . . If itdoesn't ask, ask, ask . . . Remember this is YOURbody, YOU are employing the surgeon! . .

.. It's theirjob to make YOU happy!As to lift or no lift . . . Ask your doctor if youneed one. . . Chances are, with that big a change youwill . . . but if your skin is really elastic, you maynot! As one gets older, their skin become less elastic. . . that's a really individual thing too!Hugs and prayers,RogeneOpinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care professional before commencing any medical treatment. "Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus ing, two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace)See our photos website! Enter "implants" for access at this

link:http://.shutterfly.com/action/

[Guest guest]

Hey Christene,

Good luck with your appointment. If the doctor thinks you need a

lift, it might be better to get it done all at once than have to

have another surgery in a year or so. I didn't need a lift, I only

had the implants for 6 months, and I was a C cup (and now I'm back

to an A/B, depending on the bra).

Sis

>

> Good Morning Ladies,

>

> Just curious to know if anybody had a lift after explant and how

is

> the scarring?

>

> My appt is today with Atlanta Plastic Surgery and I've had these

dumb

> things since June 1999 I'm a DD right now and I think I will most

> likely be a C after removal but thats a big change so I'll discuss

a

> lift with Dr. Elliott. I could always wait too, but if I do it

now I

> save $2200 in anesthesia costs alone!

>

> Rogene is there a checklist of things to talk to doctor about?

I've

> been trying to go through all of the info I've gotten from the

group

> and there is just soooooo much I'm certain I've missed something.

>

>

> Christene

>

[Guest guest]

Roxanna,

Drains are just plastic tubes the doctor will put in

at the time of surgery that go from the surgical site

to the outside of your body - where they will lead to

a small collection bottle. They're not painful - but

they are a nusiance because it's difficult to wear

regular clothes with the drains in.

Whenever there is trauma to an area (like an explant),

the body normally produces more fluid at that spot . .

.. There can be some bleeding as well.

The drains will remove the fluids so you don't start

swelling. . . They will also allow (possibly)

contaminated fluids a way to escape, rather than stay

in your body. Drains are regularly used with

mastectomies, but not all doctors think they're

necessary with an explant. . . .

The drains should stay in place until there is no

significant drainage . . . This may be one day or five

.. . . Three days is probably the average.

Removing them is easy, and should be painless . . .

They don't use any stiches to hold them in place. .

Just a quick tug removes them . . . then the opening

is dressed and should heal without complication.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Well, he said I would definitely need one because I'm a DD right now and want to go back to a B. He said that if I didn't have one I would look like a 70 y/o lady. The problem is that it's $8,000 I really want it done, but I'm not exactly in a position right now to pay for it. Then I think maybe I should just wait all together. I have enough issues going on. Then to have a negative self image related to sagginess? It might be too much for me to handle....

> >> > Good Morning Ladies,> > > > Just curious to know if anybody had a lift after explant and how > is > > the scarring? > > > > My appt is today with Atlanta Plastic Surgery and I've had these > dumb > > things since June 1999 I'm a DD right now and I think I will most > > likely be a C after removal but thats a big change so I'll discuss > a > > lift with Dr. Elliott. I could always wait too, but if I do it > now I > > save $2200 in anesthesia costs alone!> > > > Rogene is there a checklist of things to talk to doctor about? > I've > > been trying to go through all of the info I've gotten from the > group > > and there is just soooooo much I'm certain I've missed something.> > > > > > Christene> >>

[Guest guest]

Christene, the lift itself is $8000? Is there any reason why you

can't have a consult with Dr. Kolb? I don't know how much she

charges for a lift, but I think some people have had luck in getting

their insurance to pay for lifts if the reason for explant is

medically necessary.

Sis

> > >

> > > Good Morning Ladies,

> > >

> > > Just curious to know if anybody had a lift after explant and

how

> > is

> > > the scarring?

> > >

> > > My appt is today with Atlanta Plastic Surgery and I've had

these

> > dumb

> > > things since June 1999 I'm a DD right now and I think I will

most

> > > likely be a C after removal but thats a big change so I'll

discuss

> > a

> > > lift with Dr. Elliott. I could always wait too, but if I do it

> > now I

> > > save $2200 in anesthesia costs alone!

> > >

> > > Rogene is there a checklist of things to talk to doctor about?

> > I've

> > > been trying to go through all of the info I've gotten from the

> > group

> > > and there is just soooooo much I'm certain I've missed

something.

> > >

> > >

> > > Christene

> > >

> >

>