For people who opt to have breast augmentation surgery, it’s important to remember the implants aren’t forever.
Nikki Sommer, a nurse with Key West Surgical Group, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5 FM for Medical Matters this morning.
The surgeons at Key West Surgical Group are not plastic surgeons, so they can’t perform the surgery, but they can help with removal.
Sommer said, “Over time they do need to be changed by a plastic surgeon. The recommendation is 10 to 15 years. Recently we’ve had a couple of patients who just want them removed and they did not want them replaced. That is a service we can offer.”
One patient had a breast infection and decided to have her implants removed.
Sommer said, “The infected one was okay. It was intact, but actually the other one was ruptured. So it can pose a problem.”
While there’s nothing wrong with breast augmentation, it’s important to remember it is a foreign object and your body can react differently to it, whether immediately or over time.
Sommer noted, “She had crazy symptoms that she said went away almost immediately right after they were removed. In her case she had an infection. She was experiencing pain, but she was having hair loss, joint pain and joint swelling.”
There is something known as breast implant illness.
Sommer said, “It’s fatigue, memory loss, skin rash, people have trouble concentrating, thinking clearly and joint pain.”
It’s also possible for the implant to change position over time inside the body and tissue around the implant can tighten as well.
Sommer said, “These are things that if you have them, at the 10 to 15 year mark, they might not be bothering you at all, but it’s just a good idea to keep an eye on them.”
An MRI is recommended five to six years after the initial implants, just to check.
Sommer said, “And then even two to three years after that just to monitor for rupture because silicon if you do have them, it’s something that doesn’t necessarily belong in your body. If it’s intact, it’s one thing. If it’s ruptured and it’s sitting there and it’s leaking, that could be what’s contributing to some of those symptoms.”
Anyone having trouble with breast implants should contact Key West Surgical Group.
Sommer reminded, “If there isn’t a medical indication like breast cancer or infection, it might not be covered under insurance, just like they weren’t covered by insurance to put them in unless it was reconstruction.”
The implants are considered a cosmetic, elective procedure for the most part.
Sommer said, “But we are willing to work with you and you don’t have to go to Miami for the procedure.”
Breast implant removal is usually a same-day procedure.
Sommer said, “Just like the majority of the uncomplicated surgeries would be the same day. It’s usually done at the surgery center or the hospital, whatever your preference is.”
Patients will need a ride to and from because there is anesthesia involved and there could be a drain following the procedure.
Sommer said, “Just because there’s now a space where something once was so the body fills the cavity with fluid. Sometimes they put a drain in just so it doesn’t build up under the skin and you feel uncomfortable.”
Infections in breast implants if left untreated can lead to serious complications.
Somme said, “There are textured and untextured breast implants and there is a type of lymphoma that they are finding in women with textured breast implants. So the FDA is just recommending if you have those, monitor and keep that in the back of your mind.”