Guest guest Posted January 22, 2002 Report Share Posted January 22, 2002 I wanted to state to the group some of my own personal advice and opinions about explant. I want to tell everyone here that while I may seem very pro explant, in actuallity I feel that this is a very very personal opinion, I think it is one that needs to be thoroughly thought through and and not rushed into, for those women seeking information about explant, please know it is not something you should rush into with out feeling very comfortable with it. I think it took me about 10 or 12 months to really be able to say, yes this is right for me, and so it does take time, think long and hard and realize that it may not even solve all the issues, then if you decide to do it remember that you need to give your body lots of time to heal, and that health does not return immediately, I think that it is so important to make sure that you can live with this extreme decision and that you are up to it emotionally, then it is important to find a PS whom you totally feel confident in and that you trust, and once you are at that point explant can be a great thing for you. I don't want anyone here to think that because they are on this group they must be explanted tomorrow, it is something that needs to be thought about long and hard. It is a tough road and not everyone can handle it, for some of us however it was the only way to carry on with our lives. Blessings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2002 Report Share Posted October 31, 2002 Hi , I still cannot believe the number of women this kind of thing has happened to. Do you know the brand & model these double-lumen implants? Most of these double-lumen implants are covered under the Class-Action Lawsuits which continues to this day. Since you did not opt-in, or out of this Class-Action BI Lawsuit, you should be considered opted-in, because you did not opt-out of the suit. We will be happy to refer you to an attorney to help you handle this situation. It will all depend on what state you are currently living in, and in what state you had your implant surgery. You also have a case against you PS, if you can obtain all your medical records from your implanting physician and all hospital, or clinical records. These records should also contain a legal description of your implants. Doctors can purge their patient's medical files after 7-years, however, a hospital or clinical facility can never purge your records. They may have to go to some basement room, and search their microfilm files to get you a copy, yet they have to be there ... forever. You should also get copies of all mammograms from all medical facilities, and these are not allowed by law to be purged ever! Hope this is some helpful information. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions. Please keep us posted! Blessings, MM MAM-NSIF@... Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537 ----- Original Message ----- From: S. WIlkins Cc: eckymae@... Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 10:36 PM Subject: Explant Hi All, I've been monitoring this site for about 10 months and have taken the plunge and if nothing interferes, Dr. Kolb will do my explant in Dec. I have begun her silicone protocol. I did get a surprise when she viewed my records. When I had mastectomy 18 yrs ago, I refused silicone. But she discovered that I have saline with silicone gel and apparently on is ruptured and the other may be contracture and rupture. It was quite a blow. If I had know I had silicone, I would have been researching it for the past 18 yrs. If I had a choice, I would not have a tiny drop of silicone. What went wrong and what happened to my contract with my Dr. I don't even know the mfg and I never heard of any implant class actions since I thought, "I did not have silicone." I discovered this only as a fluk when I quit my many meds last Christmas Day when my "pot-head" son accused me of abusing/being addicted to my meds, and my husband stood and did not kick his tail out of the house. The worst of this was feeling betrayed by my husband who did not intervene. After all he lives with me and has for 38 yrs and he should know if "abuse or addiction" was a real concern. My husband has always been emotionally detached and not at all supportive. I felt BETRAYED. But in the final test at the last momemt, he does come through. I went thru "hell on earth" considering all the circumstances surrounding that day, with only a husband that is emotionally detached and not supportive at all. And recovery from that eventful day has been the worst time of my life. I do have a relationship with God and He has brought me through this when I could not do for myself. But to this day I have not seen or talked to my son and his family. Just 2 mos ago he was arrested with 4 lbs (yes 4 pounds) of pot. Guess he'll have lots of time to reflect in prison. For 4 months I took no meds and began a search for some answers to my myriad health problems. I became very suicidal and thought of suicide constantly. I could not sleep and seriously considered inpatient psychiatric tx. I have been treated for depression since about 1989 and went to counseling for 3-4 months until July. By then I had gathered enough information from your site and links to think maybe my implants could be the culprit that was making my life so miserable. I have bowled for yrs and gave that up due to the nerve/muscle pain and loss of balance. Before this I had a "breakdown" at work and my psychiatrist put me on medical leave and told me to apply for disability from my job. I spend the years since the late 80s in a major depression with too much stress to keep up with the world news. I never expected that my implants would cause so much trouble. And after I began experiencing all the pain, loss of function, skin problems, brain fog had set in so good that I was not in touch with the world outside my little environment and I was very withdrawn. Got to the point where I didn't go out.....even when I needed to. Basic self-care and grooming were task I had to make myself do sometimes going 2, 3, 4 days without taking care of myself. I finally started back on the Prozac in April because I was ready to die....but I wanted to live. I have great hopes for recovering in time from some of these physical abd mental problems and returning to my former "self." I liked Dr. Kolb. And I have read much of her literature and after meeting her I know she and I will get along fine. I do have some questions for her about "en bloc" and the flap. My l985 records revealed I had double lumen implants following mastectomy that were saline with silicone get. I felt so betrayed by my PS...who I had made a point to tell that I wanted NO SILICONE>>>>NONE. He has not responded by my request for my records but I got copies of the records from the hospital. I always figured I would be notified if bad information came to light about the implants. I never thought I would have to get so sick only to learn I had been violated and betrayed by my PS. Now I have no recourse. But I do thank God that I have insurance that I hope will pay for the explants and reconstruction I need ( with no implants of any kind!!!!!!!!!) Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2002 Report Share Posted November 1, 2002 Dear Martha, I was wondering if you could steer me in the right direction of an attorney if it is not too late. I believe I opted "in" as I received a check for a mere $700.00 with the understanding that would be all I would be entitled to as Dow had gone bankrupt. Yeah, sure! I am now way too seriously ill to work, (used to make over 100K per year). I am having my explant in less than 2 weeks. I have Double-Lumen, Uphoff 16 yr old silicone implants, which was described to me by Dr. Blais as being "particularly foul". He assured me that the outer shell deteriorated long ago and my own breast tissue "served as some bugs lunch long ago". My question is how in the world did they pull off this bankruptcy, and how in the world could they have expected us to have "settled" before we were critically ill, which I now am? Dr. Blais described my condition as the equivalent of having "millions of tiny strokes every day!" I have so many illnesses I don't want to bore you, I am sure you have heard my story thousands of times by now. I am even afraid to get on the plane for my surgery as I feel the cabin pressure may just kill me. My surgery is going to cost nearly 10K since it will be quite lengthy, they have ruptured and obvious migration. I have been to literally dozens of drs. and holistic practitioners over 10-12 years, no one ever linked anything to my implants even though I had suggested the possiblity to everyone. Is there anything I can do at this point or the fact that I took $700 and was included in the class action suit, deny me of my rights to recover anything. Heck, I would be happy just to have my surgery covered at this point, even though I have suffered major neurological damage, and fibro. Thanks for taking the time to read this post and if you can give be any guidance I would be so appreciative. Sincerely, lana lanjontay@... ----- Original Message ----- From: MARTHA e1_Rene@... Cc: (for W.) Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 8:44 PM Subject: Re: Explant Hi e, I am correct on this issue. I have been a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist for nearly 20+ years, and worked for the 2nd largest International Consulting Firm for many years. I have also been the Chief Underwriter for a major insurance company, and I do know what I'm talking about regarding these issues. I do not intend for this issue to dispute your statement, yet I do know this business inside & out, although I've never worked for a hospital as an RN. I do hold a Masters Degree, as well as many accreditations in the medical insurance industry. Everything I told is true, to the best of my knowledge, and I'm certain you will find I'm correct. MM Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537 ----- Original Message ----- From: e Rene' Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 8:51 PM Subject: Re: Explant Martha, This is incorrect information about hospitals keeping medical records forever. They are under the same auspices as physician offices. Hospitals usually keep pt records anywhere between 7-10 yrs, then destroy them. Hospitals and free standing facilities do not have to keep med records forever. e ----- Original Message ----- From: MARTHA Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 6:12 PM Cc: ParfumGigi@... Subject: Re: [salineSuppor! t] Explant Hi , I still cannot believe the number of women this kind of thing has happened to. Do you know the brand & model these double-lumen implants? Most of these double-lumen implants are covered under the Class-Action Lawsuits which continues to this day. Since you did not opt-in, or out of this Class-Action BI Lawsuit, you should be considered opted-in, because you did not opt-out of the suit. We will be happy to ! refer you to an attorney to help you handle this situation. It will all depend on what state you are currently living in, and in what state you had your implant surgery. You also have a case against you PS, if you can obtain all your medical records from your implanting physician and all hospital, or clinical records. These records should also contain a legal description of your implants. Doctors can purge their patient's medical files after 7-years, however, a hospital or clinical facility can never purge your records. They may have to go to some basement room, and search their microfilm files to get you a copy, yet they have to be there ... forever. You should also get copies of all mammograms from all medical facilities, and these are not allowed by law to be purged ever! Hope this is some helpful information. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions. Please keep us posted! Blessings, MM MAM-NSIF@... Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537 ----! - Original Message ----- From: S. WIlkins Cc: eckymae@... Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 10:36 PM Subject: Explant Hi All, I've been monitoring this site for about 10 months and have taken the plunge and if nothing interferes, Dr. Kolb will do my explant in Dec. I have begun her silicone protocol. I did get a surprise when she viewed my records. When I had mastectomy 18 yrs ago, I refused silicone. But she discovered that I have saline with silicone gel and apparently on is ruptured and the other may be contracture and rupture. It was quite a blow. If I had know I had silicone, I would have been researching it for the past 18 yrs. If I had a choice, I would not have a tiny drop of silicone. What went wrong and what happened to my contract with my Dr. I don't even know the mfg and I never heard of any implant class actions since I thought, "I did not have silicone." I discovered this only as a fluk when I quit my many meds last Christmas Day when my "pot-head" son accused me of abusing/being addicted to my meds, and my husband stood and did not kick his ! ;tail out of the house. The worst of this was feeling betrayed by my husband who did not intervene. After all he lives with me and has for 38 yrs and he should know if "abuse or addiction" was a real concern. My husband has always been emotionally detached and not at all supportive. I felt BETRAYED. But in the final test at the last momemt, he does come through. I went thru "hell on earth" considering all the circumstances surrounding that day, with only a husband that is emotionally detached and not supportive at all. And recovery from that eventful day has been the worst time of my life. I do have a relationship with God and He has brought me through this when I could not do for myself. But to this day I have not seen or talked to my son and his family. Just 2 mos ago he was arrested with 4 lbs (yes 4 pounds) of pot. Guess he'll have lots of time to reflect in prison! . For 4 months I took no meds and began a search for some answers to my myriad health problems. I became very suicidal and thought of suicide constantly. I could not sleep and seriously considered inpatient psychiatric tx. I have been treated for depression since about 1989 and went to counseling for 3-4 months until July. By then I had gathered enough information from your site and links to think maybe my implants could be the culprit that was making my life so miserable. I have bowled for yrs and gave that up due to the nerve/muscle pain and loss of balance. Before this I had a "breakdown" at work and my psychiatrist put me on medical leave and told me to apply for disability from my job. I spend the years since the late 80s in a major depression with too much stress to keep up with the world news. I never expected that my implants would cause so much trouble. An! d after I began experiencing all the pain, loss of function, skin problems, brain fog had set in so good that I was not in touch with the world outside my little environment and I was very withdrawn. Got to the point where I didn't go out.....even when I needed to. Basic self-care and grooming were task I had to make myself do sometimes going 2, 3, 4 days without taking care of myself. I finally started back on the Prozac in April because I was ready to die....but I wanted to live. I have great hopes for recovering in time from some of these physical abd mental problems and returning to my former "self." I liked Dr. Kolb. And I have read much of her literature and after me! eting her I know she and I will get along fine. I do have some questions for her about "en bloc" and the flap. My l985 records revealed I had double lumen implants following mastectomy that were saline with silicone get. I felt so betrayed by my PS...who I had made a point to tell that I wanted NO SILICONE>>>>NONE. He has not responded by my request for my records but I got copies of the records from the hospital. I always figured I would be notified if bad information came to light about the implants. I never thought I would have to get so sick only to learn I had been violated and betrayed by my PS. Now I have no recourse. But I do thank God that I have insurance that I hope will pay for the explants and reconstruction I need ( with no implants of any kind!!!!!!!!!) Thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2002 Report Share Posted November 2, 2002 , I am waiting on Dr, Kolb to email digital ones to me here, then I will, I promise! I know this sounds wierd, but I don't even want to see the before pics with them in me! I might get pissed off again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2002 Report Share Posted November 2, 2002 Yeah I know it was hard for me to see them too, esp the ones I had taken of myself kind of revealing ones, when I met my hubby on the internet gosh it is kind of embarassing but I sent him so many pics of me showing off my body, I made him delete any of those that had me with implants, yuck I can't hardly look at any of them.! ----- Original Message ----- From: JULIEJJPALANCA@... Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 12:02 PM Subject: Re: Explant , I am waiting on Dr, Kolb to email digital ones to me here, then I will, I promise! I know this sounds wierd, but I don't even want to see the before pics with them in me! I might get pissed off again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2004 Report Share Posted September 8, 2004 OMG! Kate, you sound like I was ! freaked out. I also did not want to look at them ,and when I did, I cried! I think it was about 9 days after explant. Even my hubby looked sad. really....(He tried to say they looked fine, but girl, I knew) I was so flat and so compressed, and had these drain holes, and yuck! I will never forget the feeling. I didn’t believe they would "fluff" out, I realy did not. But what my PS told me was right. After surgery they are so compressed from being in the bra, and after all the work on them, and the implants themselves for years, compressing tissue to the front, not allowing tissue to fluff naturally. But ,after a few cycles, with proper hormones doing their work, I would fluff out. I did, and for me, in about 3 months, I looked great! I actually went up a whole size. The drain holes got better, the color even did too. I remember the day too-I went to Target for a sports bra after Mercola removed the drains. I was a c with implants, so I got a full b, just in case. I saw myself in the mirror and cried, girl. And I was still leaking down my sides from them just being removed about an hour earlier. It was disgusting! Besides, I think those mirrors are horrible too, by the way anyway! So, I would say go about a size bigger than before implants Because what if its too tight? That cant be that good for healing and circulation< I think Just my thoughts on it. Look at my pics a few months after, I was normal looking. I like them better now too. Love you, Explant I have a question for all of you that have been explanted -- were you afraid to look at yourself right after the surgery? Mine was a week ago and I don't want to look at all!!!! Is that normal? I'm so afraid of how they are going to be.....it feels so different -- like I'm so flat. I know they say you "fluff" later - but it can't happen soon enough for me. When is that fluffing suppose to start?!?!? I'm afraid to even purchase a sports bra - what if it doesn't even fit? This is very hard........looking for advice. Thanks. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.