HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Breast Implants and Crohn's

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/11/2010 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I've asked this before on here, but it's been awhile. Does anyone here have Crohn's and had breast enlargement? OR does anyone know anyone who has?? I would love to hear any thoughts on the topic or if anyone has been through it and wouldn't mind sharing their experience. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
Posted 5/11/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Have you checked with your doc about this?
Posted 5/11/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Years ago I did, and he was against it. I was just wondering if anyone has had it done. I can't find much information on the subject.
Posted 5/11/2010 2:34 AM (GMT 0)

Oh my the male in me has double entandre (sp) and flirty thoughts all over the place........

OK after that bad attempt at humor, you are thinking of this surgery?  And in your signature you say you are putting off surgery as long as possible.  You want an augmentation.  I get that.  But you are worried your CD is bad enough to warrant surgery?  I (not having had any real surgery myself) can understand your doc's concern.  Especially if you got one elective and suddenly needed to get the other fixed in a big hurry.  I believe docs try to limit how many times they put you under in a given amount of time, again a guess.  Is it not also possible that getting the one can cause a flare on the other?  Plus the meds you are on will NOT help with the healing process or fight against infection if you were to get the elective surgery.  I wouldn't be surprised if the one surgeon did not want you off those drugs before doing the procedure.  Just my thoughts and guesses.

I could've/would've said more on my thoughts of enhancing, but that would involve asking a couple personal questions and mayhap a bit of too frank type of discussion while keeping it family friendly.


Posted 5/11/2010 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't had enlargement, but I did have mine reduced last January. My plastic surgeon had to have approval from my GI in order to do the surgery, and my GI signed off on it. The only issue that was brought up was whether or not to skip a dose of Humira, which I ended up doing. My healing was a little slower than average, but overall there weren't any problems.

Is your GI worried that breast surgery will cause CD complications, or what is your doctor's concern?
Posted 5/11/2010 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. I actually haven't talked to my GI.. well, about 5 years ago when I was first seriously considering it. He didn't approve it so the surgeon wouldn't do it. They didn't tell me why but I just assumed I was a higher risk of rejection. Every now and then the urge hits me again and I try researching it... there's just no information out there (or I haven't found any) on women who have had cosmetic surgery and who also have Crohn's. I wonder if I'm just not searching it right? Thanks for your replies, maybe someone will come along who has had it done and can shed some light on it :-)
Posted 5/11/2010 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to hazard a guess here that as long as yuo are in relatvely good overall health aside from your Crohns, and if you suspend any immunocompromising meds prior to the surgery, this procedure would not present any hazard beyond that which you would expect from other unrelated procedures like sinus surgery or the repair of a fracture. Just having Crohns does not make us fragile invalids . . . it's not a rule-out for an elective surgery like bad heart disease might be. As noted, the best procedure would be to get your GI and plastic surgeon together to assure they are working as a team on meds and other issues. Fact is lots of Crohns patients have back, neck, sinus, etc. surgeries and do fine.

Posted 5/12/2010 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
My plastic surgeon just wanted my GI's ok because some patients lie, and he wanted to make sure I was healthy and not in a flare at the time. Had I been in a flare, I don't think it would be wise to do anything elective.
Posted 5/12/2010 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I'm still researching... maybe some day I can answer this question for others if it happens to come up ;-)
Posted 7/7/2010 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I too am strongly considering breast implants. It is something I have wanted to do since I was probably 17 years old. I am now 32 and have nursed three boys. After 6 years of begging my husband, he has agreed to not be angry with my decision. In my early 20s I struggled with crohn's. For the most part I have been in remission besides my pregnancies. I went for my pre op (for implants) today. My husband brought up a lot of good points that have me very concerned now. Like since it is an autoimmune disease, my body will fight the foreign object more, making it more likely that it will become infected. I so want to do this for myself, but I am not sure if I am just being plain dumb shakehead . My surgeon has never done this on a patient with crohn's, but has done implants on women with lupus, cancer (reconstructive), and arthritis. My surgeon also talked to my GI, which had her warn me that I will most likely need to get back on prednisone. My surgeon said that she is comfortable doing the procedure, but of course warned me of the risks. I will be skipping 2 doses of Humira. Any advise anyone?
Posted 7/8/2010 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
I think if you have it cleared with your doctor and the surgeon and know the risks involved it's just a matter of making the choice. There are risks involved for healthy people who get implants, it's just there. Are we at a greater risk of rejection since we have Crohn's? Maybe, but people who have diseases have elective surgeries all the time. I'm sure there are women out there with Crohn's who have done it, although I haven't been able to find any as of yet. I am going to do it when I am able to do it. I'm on remicade so I'm not sure how it's all going to play out. I'm just taking it slowly. I haven't talked to my doctor about it in a few years, although the first go around he wouldn't get on board with me, but he never gave me a valid reason as to why not. Keep in touch, either way, I'd love to know what you decide and how it goes. I'll keep you in my thoughts. Take care.
Posted 3/19/2012 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
I know this is REALLY late to this forum. but I figure I might as well add my two cents. I do not have CD, I have UC. Going on 10 years now. Docs wanted so bad to take my colon last year, I flat told them "NO!" Since I told them to figure something else out, they opted for Remicade and for the last year I have finally been in remission. I spent 7+ years in a flare up.
I have now less than 18 hours from my surgery and I could not be more thrilled. (BA, that is). I, too, did research and found as of 3/6/12 58,877 people use Remicade and only 1 (yes, one) person reported having a BA. So, there is no conclusive evidence regarding it.
This morning I was scheduled for my infusion but I did not go. It has been 8 weeks since my last infusion, and after leaving a message at my GI's # this morning asking if I could die if I have surgery tomorrow (not explaining what surgery) low and behold I got a call back within the hour. :)
GI doc says I should be fine. Says I was wise not to get infusion today. If you are still curious about my transformation, I will be glad to reply back. I am 6'1 and 145 and I never had boobs. It's time I do!
Posted 3/19/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I know this is an old post but in case others out there are thinking about getting breast implants, this might make you think twice about doing it (of course the decision is totally yours).

I have a friend who got breast implants done about 8 yrs ago...they leaked, she's been sicker than a dog, they removed them about 2 yrs after (when it was discovered hers were leaking) but too little, too late....she has these weird round disks of fluid that move around her body and she has major bowel issues with constantly having blockages in her bowels on a regular basis. She was told there was nothing that could be done for her, her diet is horrible cuz she's terrified to eat solid foods since it makes her bowel blockages worse.

She was perfectly healthy before she got the breast implants...and on top of the issues I mentioned up above, she had to have all of her teeth removed and has dentures (since the age of 30 yrs old due to the health issues of the implants leaking in her).

Her health is totally down the drain and she doesn't even have the breast implants anymore, and when they removed the implants it left her chest a mess, lots of scars and her breast don't even look like breasts anymore. Needless to say she's been on antidepressants among other meds all because of breast implant complications that she's suffered.
Posted 5/4/2012 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have CD and had a breast augmentation in October 2011. I have cohesive gel implants placed under the muscle. it took a lot longer to heal after the operation than anticipated. Where some reported feeling better in two weeks post-op, it took me a month. During that time I was prescribed a pain killer and told to take Tylenol. This caused a major flare-up. I knew that taking the pain killers would make me sick however the pain was pure agony. I had to sleep sitting up for two days. At the time putting my health at risk made me feel very superficial. I'm over that now, I've had my implants for six months. Unfortunately they are still stiff. the tightness in my chest is gone, however my breasts haven't softened up. I have an appointment with my Surgeon to determine if I have capsular contraction, or if things are just slowwww, like the healing was.

Would I do it over again? YES!!!! I had very little breast tissue before the operation, getting dressed in the morning is now a joy, stiff boobs and all; everything I put on looks great! The implants has done wonders for my self image and esteem!! I haven't had a flare-up since the operation and in fact I feel healthier then I have in years. Positive self image reduces stress!!!!!!

I'll get back to you on my visit to the surgeon.
Hope this helps
Posted 5/4/2012 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
*** I had to sleep sitting up for two weeks, not two days
Posted 5/5/2012 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Who cares about the breasts.. I love women how they are. If they have small breasts it's ok, big ones it's ok. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Posted 5/5/2012 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I thought I would offer my 2 cents worth on this subject, I got breast implants in 2000 and I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2007.  I don't think there is any coralation between the two or any reason why having them put in would in any way  compromise your gastrointestinal problems.

My breast implants are saline, so I pretty much do not worry about them cause even if they leaked the saline would be absorbed into my system, so saline is the way to go if you are going to get them.

Good Luck to the people who are trying to decide whether to get them and if anyone has any more questions, my email is available.

Posted 5/5/2012 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I got silicone implants (and abdominal liposuction) a year ago. I was on Cimzia at the time and mildly flaring. I didn't even think to mention it to my GI. I recovered very well and am very pleased with the results.
Posted 5/6/2012 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
I just thought that I'd throw in another male perspective...

A lot of women seem to think that men really want women to have gigantic breasts. Well, maybe some men do, but I don't, and never have. Indeed, some women I've seen look positively repulsive after undergoing a breast augmentation that makes them appear to have two basketballs attached to their chest.

I did not write the above to be politically correct or anything. Yes, looks do matter - it will affect your popularity, your ability to date men, your self-esteem, even the possibility of getting a job. I get that. But some of the things that have become popular methods of "beauty enhancement" - gigantic breasts, tattoos, metal piercings - looks to me more like self-mutilation. I just don't get it.

Well, different societies at different times have had some strange methods of enhancing beauty. Let me recommend you try the following...go to Google, select searching "Images" and type this in the search line:

Africa lip stretching

China foot binding

Burma neck stretching
Posted 6/4/2012 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I would love to hear more. I am also interested in someday getting implants. As a young women-I never thought I would say that. I was always so against plastic surgery. But now...I've had two kids, on top of abdominal surgery that left two really ugly LARGE scars, I've gained and lost so much weight throughout these years dealing with crohn's and my pregnancies that I have excess loose skin. I wouldn't mind a body overhaul now. I can't afford it now, but have been thinking if it was even possible that I may consider it before I'm 40 (10 more years).

So if any of you who posted went through with it or find out more, please post here.
Posted 6/5/2012 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
To lichtblick 23, I just read your post and would like to offer a few things to you if you are considering breast implants.

1.  First and foremost, don't get them if you are doing it for a husband/boyfriend, make sure it is something you are doing for yourself.

2.  Even though they say that silicone is safe now, I would still always recommend saline, like I said in my post, if for any reason, they should ever leak, it is a safe liquid that can be absorbed by your body.

3.  When you start to research the price of breast implants, it can be anywhere between $2000.00 and $6000.00, just because you can get them cheap does not mean they will be good.  I paid $6000.00 for mine (Canada),and I am glad that I went to a reputable doctor.  Try and talk to alot of women that have had them and get a recommendation from them then any other place.

4.  There is a difference between getting them placed over your own breasts or under them.  I got my implants placed under my breasts, I heard from other women that this is good choice and are not as easy to detect that you have implants and they are more stable. Having them placed over your breasts is what most strippers have because the down time is shorter.

5.  The most important thing I will tell you is that there is alot of pain with implant surgery, and it is a good 6 weeks until you are feeling better.  You have to keep your chest bound for that long too.

The main thing is to really think about it before going ahead, there is alot to consider, it is a big decision.

Hope these suggestions help you.

 

Posted 9/12/2012 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all.. I don't have crohn's but i do have rheumatoid arthritis and i am due to start taking humira tomorrow... i am also meeting with my plastic surgeon to discuss my breast augmentation surgery next month. Thanks soooo much for all the advice I've read in here.. so much of it is also applicable to my autoimmune disease. just wanted to express my appreciation.... i hope everyone has a good experience and a life with lovely boobies! the comment about positive self-image being good for reducing stress (and therefore flare ups) is sticking in my head now! i can't wait to throw my padded bras away. I am only hoping to achieve a full c-cup look... most women who want breast implants want a full c/small d, i've discovered.... so we don't want massive boobs for the attention in public... but rather for our own delight when we get undressed in the bedroom or wearing nice clothes! xx
Posted 2/8/2013 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I also have chrohns disease and take remicade 6x week. I went to see my PS and he was very reluctant to do a BA on me. He was afraid of the infection risk and if my body would reject the implants. I'm still researching and waiting on my GIs opinion. It wasn't a definite no, I was so sad though. I hope it can be done and reading this truly helps because there's just NO information out there.
Posted 2/8/2013 2:41 AM (GMT 0)

crystal b said...
I know this is REALLY late to this forum. but I figure I might as well add my two cents. I do not have CD, I have UC. Going on 10 years now. Docs wanted so bad to take my colon last year, I flat told them "NO!" Since I told them to figure something else out, they opted for Remicade and for the last year I have finally been in remission. I spent 7+ years in a flare up.
I have now less than 18 hours from my surgery and I could not be more thrilled. (BA, that is). I, too, did research and found as of 3/6/12 58,877 people use Remicade and only 1 (yes, one) person reported having a BA. So, there is no conclusive evidence regarding it.
This morning I was scheduled for my infusion but I did not go. It has been 8 weeks since my last infusion, and after leaving a message at my GI's # this morning asking if I could die if I have surgery tomorrow (not explaining what surgery) low and behold I got a call back within the hour. :)
GI doc says I should be fine. Says I was wise not to get infusion today. If you are still curious about my transformation, I will be glad to reply back. I am 6'1 and 145 and I never had boobs. It's time I do!

Posted 2/9/2013 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I started this post back in 2005 and I had no idea there were so many responses! I'm not going to say do it or don't do it because I think just like our disease course, we are all individual in what works or wouldn't work for us. Having said that I did have it done in November of 2005. I got saline implants under the muscle. I talked with my surgeon in depth about Crohn's and remicade and the impact it could have, I did not talk to my GI the second time around. I probably should have, but I did not. I didn't flare or it doesn't seem to have had an effect on CD. If anyone wants to ask me questions privately my email address is in my profile. I'll answer as honestly as I can about my experience.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12