SCI and breast implants?

[maggie~mae]

I'm a C5/6 quad and am considering getting breast implants, as they never developed after my injury. Any other SCI ladies out there who have implants willing to share their story? Do they get in the way of ADL's and wheeling your chair? How bad was recovery? Any other tips/info?

[JimD]

We have a member whose user-name is Theophania; I recall her discussing her experiences with implants. She has a beauty/fashion related blog which may contain some information, or you could try to contact her - I don't recall her being very active here of late. Here is a link to her blog:

http://www.beautyability.com/2.0/

[woman from Europe]

I have, but I am a low, incomplete para. I didn't have any trouble, the recovery took three days. I have to change mine soon and haven't expected any problems now either.

[skippy13]

I am also 5/6 very incomplete, but got them years ago for reconstruction after mastectomy. It wasn't so easy to recover then because of the tissue removal, and then I had them replaced a year ago because they had both broken down and again it was not easy because they had to scrape the gel off of the chest wall and out of muscle fibers.

You should be aware that they will break down and have to be replaced every so often, so it is not just one surgery you will be subjecting yourself to, but many if you are young.

I will not be doing it again.

[Bonnette]

...I had them replaced a year ago because they had both broken down and again it was not easy because they had to scrape the gel off of the chest wall and out of muscle fibers.
Skippy, this makes me wonder if your pulmonary issues might be related to the breakdown of those implants - an immune reaction, perhaps? Not wanting to go off-topic, but maybe it's relevant to the OP's question in a long-term sense.

[skippy13]

I think it had something of an immune reaction when they broke open. I would often get inflammatory type arthritic pain in a generalised body pattern.

Haven't had any episodes of that kind of fever and pain since. Felt an immediate difference in general health.

Pulmonary functions are still under investigation and will take some time since the VA is doing it. We have 26,000 new and returning veterans who are also trying to get care in the system. Takes months to get appointments, then months to get referred to specialists. The cabinet for pulmonary function tests are not wheelchair accessible, so they could not do the full test, so they just sort of forget about it. Just put me on full time oxygen without giving me a good reason why, then they changed my doc and gave me over to a nurse. I do not have a clue what is wrong with me and will probably not find out any time soon. Do not feel like doing anything to be compliant until I find out what the problem really is. Bummed out.

[Bonnette]

Skippy, what a maddening and frustrating situation! Compliance until further notification seems to be the only realistic avenue open to you - it's inhumane, but I get it and I certainly hope that you won't have a very long wait for the tests you need. Grrrrr and arrrgh.

[Lorrie]

There is a newer option for breast augmentation and also reconstruction that does not involve implants, it involves fat grafting. Dr. Khouri is the top pioneer surgeon using this technique but other surgeons are learning from his seminars.

http://www.miamibreastcenter.com/

[skippy13]

Unless you bring a blood supply to fat that is grafted, you only take the chance of the dead fat decomposing inside your body. That is why fat transfers only last for a few months. Don't do that.

[Crashbang]

hi maggie mae, i'm a c5-6 incomplete quad, too. i had my sci at age 14.
i too was flat chested, until i became pregnant at ages 34 and 36, and then ta-da, my breasts filled out very nicely and i was able to nurse both of my children for a year each, which made life happier and healthier for all of us.

my point is that if there's any chance you might want to have kids in the future, you might wait before deciding on elective cosmetic surgery and instead use gel bra inserts or wonderbras to make your clothes fit the way you want them to.

i'm now 41 years post-sci, and my strategy for staying healthy as long as possible is to avoid any medically unnecessary surgeries. every time you have surgery post-sci, it takes your body longer to recover than if you were still AB. the fad for breast implants will pass, if it hasn't already, and natural profiles will be appreciated and in style again in a just a few minutes, so think this through, especially if you might want kids in the future.

[Lorrie]

Skippy, if you're interested, do a search on fat grafting for cosmetic surgery, reconstruction,,, currently. You'll find that's not the case with latest technology. Fat grafting is done fairly common in reconstruction to fill around implants for aesthetics. It is only the last several years it's being done more for augmentation and complete rebuilding of breasts. Dr. Khouri in the inventor of the brava which aids in expanding the space and helping with blood supply.

If you do choose future reconstruction, it might be a viable option for you. I too had breast cancer w/bilateral mastectomy w/implant reconstruction. I am not happy with the look of my implants and they are very uncomfortable. I've researched the fat grafting process for months and have met with Dr. Khouri. He has been very successful with his technique. I also belong to a site with other women who have had the procedure and those wanting to have this done. If you're interested you can PM me.

[Crashbang]

maggie mae, from what i read you're only 23 years old, and you didn't mention having breast cancer or needing reconstructive post-mastectomy surgery.
if your concern is strictly to enhance your current appearance, please give the matter of elective surgery much more thought before taking any action in that direction.
even if you do decide to ultimately get it, if you wait awhile, the procedures and materials used in the future will be much safer and better than they are now.
you are only two years older than my daughter, and i think
it's just too soon for you to limit your many future options for enjoying your natural breasts. regardless of what some surgeons and magazines may tell you, there is considerable extra risk involved because of your sci, and also the possibility of losing more nerve sensation and also reducing ability to breastfeed, should you want to have kids and breastfeed later.
You can be very attractive without resorting to implants, and you'll have more options in how you dress depending on the occasion--you can choose to wear padded bras or go for a more slender look. Think about expanding your knowledge of fashion history and trends in beauty beyond the current mass market images of pneumatic fake symmetrical hard boobs that are common everywhere today. There are many types and sizes of beauty, and you don't need to subject yourself to further risk and health setbacks to look good and to enjoy the miraculous pleasures that your own breasts can bring to you, your lovers and to possible future children. You might also think about the type of lovers who are attracted to fake boobs....wouldn't you maybe rather find someone who can appreciate your real and uniquely beautiful self?
Like I said, I had a slender chest from my sci at 14 until my 30s during my pregnancies when I became literally a late bloomer, haha. But in the interim, having a slender build didn't prevent me from meeting and having great exciting relationships with remarkable and desirable men. It's really not about the boobs, maggie, it's about your personal magnetism. You can develop that without any surgery. forgive me if i'm being too strong in asserting my opinion, but you are only two years older than my daughter, and i'm disgusted by the way that young women ( and even young men) now are so manipulated and made to feel inadequate by the beauty/fashion/plastic surgery industries and constantly bombarded with messages that they all have to look a certain plastic way to be attractive.
it's sad, because it puts a tremendous damper on what should be a time of experiencing the pure joy of being young. tht's my opinion, anyway.

[Lorrie]

I agree completely. Think long and hard about breast augmentation. Most women I know that have had breast implants are unhappy with them and go on to have corrective surgery which also they are unsatisfied with. It can be a vicious cycle of regrets.

[crypticgimp]

honeslty, if you're flat like a guy then ok, give it thought. but if you just have small boobs then is putting yourself through that really worth it? i know many AB women with very small breasts who have no issues dating and are confident women. i just hope that you know beauty is from within and of you aren't right with that first, no amount of cosmetic surgery will fix that.

[Lorrie]

Dating? Nah, that's not an issue with most women, unlessvtheir so plants a seed of insecurity...it'sbusually about self image.

[woman from Europe]

I don't regret at all, but I was flat as a boy after breastfeeding three children. I couldn't find a bra in the shop, because it was nothing. The smallest cup here was AA, it was too big, but I didn't put in a lot, I am only a B/C now.

[kp.3]

What about a breast lift? Any stories to share on that? I am a T7,8,9 and I am a 38DD but looks like I will be fitting into possibly a DDD soon. I have had DDs since I was 14 and I am 25 now. My weight gain hasn't increased but I SWEAR my boobs have and I thought about a reduction but someone told me the recovery time on that would be longer than that of implants...? Would just a lift be better maybe?

[Sue Pendleton]

What about a breast lift? Any stories to share on that? I am a T7,8,9 and I am a 38DD but looks like I will be fitting into possibly a DDD soon. I have had DDs since I was 14 and I am 25 now. My weight gain hasn't increased but I SWEAR my boobs have and I thought about a reduction but someone told me the recovery time on that would be longer than that of implants...? Would just a lift be better maybe?

I asked my old physiatrist about this and unlike my other docs he didn't laugh. Seems his wife had just researched the same thing after 5 kids. Gravity and quadhood do not go together at all. A lift is harder than augmenting but I don't want bigger and out there; I want them smaller and back where they belong! I don't have any kids and past all but a miracle in that area. We have both been getting a ton of regular tests and other medical stuff taken care of this year but next year I will be seriously researching a reduction and lift. My old doc said he and his wife decided on sexier support bras. After 20 years of being a C6/7 I can't even get my bras on by myself anymore.

[LaMemChose]

For anyone considering a lift, you might ask about what is called a lollipop lift/reduction. An incision is made in a keyhole shape from bottom of breast up to and around the areola. Tissue is removed and the breast is then sewn together leaving an incision from bottom of breast in a straight line to a circle around the areola, hence the name "lollipop lift." The areola and nipple can be repositioned if needed.

I have not had such a lift, but I have two girlfriends who have. I consider the scarring with each to have been minimal.

Post op required each to wear two sports type bras while the incisions healed. These are ab women and they each had help with care for the first week.

[aidan416]

Why would a SCI-even at a high level- interfere with breast development?

[maryonwheels46]

I incourage any women to get implants if it will make her feel better about herself. I got implants before I had my accident. I had them for 10 yrs. They were saline. I was in my wc 3 yrs when they both leaked very slowly so I had not much tits left.
I went to the plastic surgen and made a very bad dicison. I had them taken out and not put them back in and I have regreted that dicison every since.
I loved my large C's and cleavage. I guess I was afraid they would ruptue again. Dang I need spell check.
Mary

[LaMemChose]

I incourage any women to get implants if it will make her feel better about herself. I got implants before I had my accident. I had them for 10 yrs. They were saline. I was in my wc 3 yrs when they both leaked very slowly so I had not much tits left.
I went to the plastic surgen and made a very bad dicison. I had them taken out and not put them back in and I have regreted that dicison every since.
I loved my large C's and cleavage. I guess I was afraid they would ruptue again. Dang I need spell check.
Mary


Mary, most implants need to be replaced every ten years or so. It's one of the unfortunate secrets of implants. Of those I know who have them, few were told the implants are not necessarily permanent.

It's good yours were saline when you began having leaks.

Have you thought about having another set?