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Breast implants - to remove or not after stage 4 diagnosis.

3 replies

GreenGrass33 · 03/08/2025 22:46

Hi All, I wondered if anyone had experience of having their breast implants removed, AFTER receiving a stage 4 diagnosis?

background- I was diagnosed stage 3 back in 2021. Had chemo, surgery (double mastectomy) then radiotherapy in the area. Was clear for a few years, but got diagnosed last year with stage 4 as it had spread to my brain. Shitty I know.

i’m. 45 and a mum to 2 primary age children so hanging in there as long as possible is the name of the game!

my implants have begun to really annoy me. I’ve always thought they were slightly on the large side, but I’ve recently lost a lot of weight and now I think they look ridiculous. One of them is also smaller than the other due to capulation from the radiation.

I really want them removed now I think, but my oncologist said to wait at least a year… well that was a year ago and miraculously I’m still here alive and kicking. I’m fairly fit and healthy, apart from the brain cancer!

could I ask to have them out, or replaced with smaller implants. Or even the diap flap surgery where they take your tummy fat and make breasts from that?

just wondered if there was anyone who had it done, or knows about it. Or had implants and thinking of changing them? Thanks a lot.

OP posts:
Galectable · 04/08/2025 03:05

I am so sorry this has happened to you. Well done on keeping in good health. My concern about any surgery at this stage would be the stress it will cause on your body. I know a number of women who've had reconstructions. Some have done better than others, but for most it is significant surgery, as you will know. Perhaps you should ask everyone in your healthcare team and see if there is a consensus. All the best x

Trumpton · 04/08/2025 03:16

I am so sorry about your health development. I had an implant in March 2020 as the Deap reconstruction was cancelled due to Covid. I had it removed a year later as I hated it and the Deap still wasn’t available.
I had the other breast removed at the same time. Now flat and very happy.
I had to fight hard for the double but never regretted it but as a pp said be guided by your team as it’s more stress on your body. I had had 5 ops in a year by then which is why the team was concerned.

BodysBroken · 12/08/2025 18:26

Sorry you're also in the club no one wants to be in. I'm 44, primary aged children and SBC with spread to bones and brain. I haven't had a mastectomy so no idea but I just wondered if you're aware of Make 2nds Count, and Future Dreams. Both organisations have lots of face to face and online support and I'm sure you'll find others there with experience of this.

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