Breast implants
I was noticing that many young girls considering RNY already have goals of "wanting a boob job".
This unnerves me. I have done extensive research on breast implants - mostly because I had 20 year old silicone implants removed in 2004. They had been ruptured for about 5 years. For 2-1/2 years I was completely disabled, on social security disability. In 2004, I was diagnosed with lupus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS), not to mention the more common illnesses like autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). I had the implants removed in April 2004. Within a year, all my blood tests (including consistently high anti-Smith antibodies specific for lupus) were normal. I began working again in 2006.
The studies (mostly funded by implant manufacturers and plastic surgeons) do not show increased incidence of autoimmune illnesses like lupus. Of course, there are not studies that show what happens if you have ruptured silicone implants for any length of time. The *new* jelly silicone implants may be better than the old ones, but they still have non-solid silicone and chemicals.
Saline implants are not exonerated in my opinion, either. There is still rupture, contracture and repeated surgeries.
Nothing lasts forever. With the very best case scenario, having breast implants means you will need surgery every 10 years for the rest of your life.
This unnerves me. I have done extensive research on breast implants - mostly because I had 20 year old silicone implants removed in 2004. They had been ruptured for about 5 years. For 2-1/2 years I was completely disabled, on social security disability. In 2004, I was diagnosed with lupus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS), not to mention the more common illnesses like autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). I had the implants removed in April 2004. Within a year, all my blood tests (including consistently high anti-Smith antibodies specific for lupus) were normal. I began working again in 2006.
The studies (mostly funded by implant manufacturers and plastic surgeons) do not show increased incidence of autoimmune illnesses like lupus. Of course, there are not studies that show what happens if you have ruptured silicone implants for any length of time. The *new* jelly silicone implants may be better than the old ones, but they still have non-solid silicone and chemicals.
Saline implants are not exonerated in my opinion, either. There is still rupture, contracture and repeated surgeries.
Nothing lasts forever. With the very best case scenario, having breast implants means you will need surgery every 10 years for the rest of your life.
Yep, that;'s how I feel. Although I won't ever have implants because of my history.
My concerns were confirmed with another *general* thread where I raised this. A number of young women were up in arms that I would say such a thing. One woman told me that her implants had a lifetime guaranty. (The FDA points out that implants last at most 10 years and should be replaced after 10 years). Another said that she works hard for her money and spends on vitamins, and other things (including implants) for health and beauty. Deciding to undergo surgery is not like taking vitamins! There are risks with ANY surgery.
I could not convince my own daughter to take the time to look into things BEFORE jumping; don't know why I think I should be able to convince anyone else.
My concerns were confirmed with another *general* thread where I raised this. A number of young women were up in arms that I would say such a thing. One woman told me that her implants had a lifetime guaranty. (The FDA points out that implants last at most 10 years and should be replaced after 10 years). Another said that she works hard for her money and spends on vitamins, and other things (including implants) for health and beauty. Deciding to undergo surgery is not like taking vitamins! There are risks with ANY surgery.
I could not convince my own daughter to take the time to look into things BEFORE jumping; don't know why I think I should be able to convince anyone else.
Geez I crack myself up 
Today I went to Bariatric Eating - about 15 min from me. A woman was there who had RNY, is from West VA and has that W VA accent. We were cutting up. She jokes that in her part of the country she knew she was a sinner because she had boobs.
My husband cracked, "I am a sinner beause she has boobs."
So much for boob talk.
My husband cracked, "I am a sinner beause she has boobs."
So much for boob talk.
After I lost my weight, I considered plastics (mostly to get rid of the panni, which is all insurance would pay for, and I can't afford anything else). I decided against it to have a knee replacement.
After two surgeries on the same knee, I doubt I will have any elective surgery again ... I still don't think the knee surgery has helped anything. My knee is still swollen six months after the revision and still hurts if it's bent for too long.
So as far as my boobs go, if they hang too low, I stick them in a bra ... that's what bras are for, to support and lift. And when I'm home and alone, no one sees and it doesn't matter. I'm not out to impress anyone.
I had WLS for my health, not for looks. I got the results I wanted. I'm far healthier than I was five years ago. I have fake parts in one part of the body (the knee) that aren't really working well ... I don't want to chance implants that I don't really need.
After two surgeries on the same knee, I doubt I will have any elective surgery again ... I still don't think the knee surgery has helped anything. My knee is still swollen six months after the revision and still hurts if it's bent for too long.
So as far as my boobs go, if they hang too low, I stick them in a bra ... that's what bras are for, to support and lift. And when I'm home and alone, no one sees and it doesn't matter. I'm not out to impress anyone.
I had WLS for my health, not for looks. I got the results I wanted. I'm far healthier than I was five years ago. I have fake parts in one part of the body (the knee) that aren't really working well ... I don't want to chance implants that I don't really need.
Im with you 100%. I'm sorry about your knee replacement surgery. Have you been in physical therapy? I suspect a breast lift would be a lot safer than implants. I don't know what I will do yet - I am too far from my goal weight to give it serious thought. I do know I won't have implants. Ever again.
I think it is safer here to talk about breast implants - on the *main* board young women with implants attacked me for saying implants needed to be replaced and explaining my experience. The venom against women speaking about their experiences with implants always strikes me as just a wee bit defensive.
Any surgery has risks. At 30 I was far more likely to have cosmetic surgery than at 55. I suspect that is natural - and, I also suspect, reticence comes with a bit of experience and wisdom. At 30, I didn't think much about the risks and too blindly trusted my plastic surgeon - who later lost his license, I might add, for falsely advertising he was board certified among other things.
I hope your knee feels better with time. My sister had knee replacement and had a lot of physical therapy afterwards. Knee surgery is a huge undertaking.
I think it is safer here to talk about breast implants - on the *main* board young women with implants attacked me for saying implants needed to be replaced and explaining my experience. The venom against women speaking about their experiences with implants always strikes me as just a wee bit defensive.
Any surgery has risks. At 30 I was far more likely to have cosmetic surgery than at 55. I suspect that is natural - and, I also suspect, reticence comes with a bit of experience and wisdom. At 30, I didn't think much about the risks and too blindly trusted my plastic surgeon - who later lost his license, I might add, for falsely advertising he was board certified among other things.
I hope your knee feels better with time. My sister had knee replacement and had a lot of physical therapy afterwards. Knee surgery is a huge undertaking.
Yes, I had PT ... I had the original surgery in Feb. 2007; then I fell in Feb. 2008, although even before that my leg was swelling for no apparent reason and I was having issues that they couldn't figure out the cause. The first ortho doc sent me to a second, revision specialist, who couldn't find anything wrong ... except I kept saying I was in pain, and isn't pain a symptom? He finally sent me to a third guy in the same practice (after I yelled at him) ... and finally, the third guy said something was wrong, I did need a revision, which I had in December 2008. I still don't feel it's completely good, although it's better. But it's only been six months. Still swells up, still uncomfortable when it's bent or down for a long time, or when I have to drive to Chicago. I have good range of motion, but I still have a lot of pain. But ... he just tells me everything looks good ... don't need any more PT. So I'm just at home doing my stuff.
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