My breast implants are failing after 25 years

[Knackeredboobs1972]

I'm 51 and had implants privately after my late grandma left me some money. I'd had a terrible time in high school up to early 20's when I finally got the chance to afford it. I was ridiculed at school for having no boobs and this absolutely destroyed me. It affected my mental health so much I was unable to go on holiday for fear of my partner seeing someone's boobs on the beach, watching TV with him was stressful, life was very difficult and as a result I attempted suicide twice. Shortly after that I inherited the money and had surgery. I also had counselling. It changed my life. I'm happy with my body and have been for years.
But obviously they don't last for ever. They have been dimpled and lumpy for years. I've ignored it as I do not have any money to get them taken out or replaced. They are getting worse and worse and I'm terrified they are causing damage. What do I do? I'm up to my eyes in credit card debt and bills already. I work 2 jobs, as does my partner. There is no way I can get thousands to sort this out.
Would the nhs ever sort this out or do I just have to live with this.

It depends on the policy in the area you live (Google CCG breast implant removal and your county and it might let you see the local policy). Where I work (as a breast surgeon) we could remove implants put in privately for the reason you describe on the NHS only if they are ruptured or there is a significant capsular contracture but not just on request. And they would not be replaced.

You can ask for an appointment with your GP to discuss this.

The nhs will take them out but they will not replace them. Speak to your GP.

Implants do not last forever and can cause problems if left in too long.

(I'm a theatre nurse)

I don't know. I would imagine that if they are in any way life threatening, then the NHS would remove them but not replace. But you really need to sort it out. I'd go and see the GP as a first step.

They did not tell me when I had implants they need to be changed every 15 years.
my friend had hers out in the nhs. Speak to your gp.

Go and see your GP. I'd want to have them removed before they cause any problems.

Exactly what’s been said here. The nhs won’t replace them. Save what you can and go from there. If it’s that important to you you can find a way.

Thank you. I'm scared of the damage that's already done for ignoring it for so long but I'll have to see the GP. Does anyone know how long recovery is and how long the op takes? I dread to think what they'll look like after

I don't think I would want them replacing at my age. I just want to know they aren't harming me.

Please can you update the thread when you have seen your GP OP, I'm interested to know what happens when they are removed and not replaced.
*because I have implants too not for weirdo reasons.

This must be a common scenario OP, I'd go to the gp & see what they say.
I hope everything works out for you🙏

I've had breast implants removed and not replaced. I'm 43 and honestly they look fine, they are a bit saggy but not too bad and probably not that much worse than anyone else my age.
They are not half as bad as you might imagine.
There's a website called real self I think, that has before and after pictures of real people.
I had mine out under a local, in a Nuffield hospital, so no overnight stay, no GA and therefore much cheaper.

Do you mind me asking approx how much?
I too want mine out

How about going back to the clinic where they were originally put in, and making a complaint? They might agree to take them out for free or reduced rate?

Thanks so much for this information. I had mine replaced last time but I'd like them out, really. Wish I'd done it last time.
Do you mind me asking if you've ever breastfed? Mine are already sagging after two children.

Get them removed if you can, they will only cause more problems.

@Knackeredboobs1972 my hosp had a policy where they would only remove a private implant if one burst. not both of them so it was still on the patient to pay for the removal of the other one. the nhs has a lot more to worry about than breast implants which have not ruptured! surely your private surgeon informed you of all this before you had your private surgery?

What would OP be complaining about? They've exceeded their shelf life

There’s nothing to complain about. They’ve exceeded their lifespan as it is.

25 years is a good innings, they advise to change them more frequently than that.
Did the surgeon not explain to you that you would need them done repeatedly? If not that's really bad service. My mum puts money aside every year towards getting them changed - it's a life long commitment.

I think the NHS will intervene when they start leaking as it will pose a risk to your health but that would just be removing the implants, not replacing them. As they have already started to break down I would go to a doctor as they will probably remove them for you now. It can be quite dangerous.

If you want them replaced then can you get a payment plan with a surgeon? If you do that though, bear in mind you'll need them doing again in another 10-15 years.

Sorry, just read your update!

I was offered implants in the NHS after a double mastectomy, but I turned it down. I was told that they would have to be replaced every 10-15 years. That would still be NHS treatment in that case.

She wasn't told that though.

It was about 1.5k I think

Both my friend and I had ours out and we were both pleasantly surprised not as bad as we assumed would be. I didn't even need to buy smaller bras - my boobs were just a different shape. My friend got hers out on nhs and was planning a lift privately but realised she did not need one.

Yes I did breast feed 2 babies, with the implants in.
My boobs got enormous with each pregnancy so I do think my boobs would probably have ended up much the same as they are now anyway.