However, I have decided to have the implants removed. Finding a doctor to remove the implants has proven to be more difficult than I expected. Hand specialists, general practitioners, and dermatologists have all told me to look elsewhere. I finally found a hand specialist/plastic surgeon to do the work, and am scheduled for the procedure very soon.
I'm wanting this for several reasons:
After 10 years, the magnets have weakened.
The one in my right finger barely responds anymore, and the one in the left has also grown weak. Without any sensory feedback they're just lumps in my fingers.
They still get injured and irritated.
Twisting a screwdriver incorrectly, or losing grip on a heavy object that slides off your fingers is a sure recipe for irritating the implant. It will stay sensitive and swollen for a few days, or even weeks after. I'm looking forward to having full use of my grip. From the day they were implanted I've had to learn to lighten the stress on my ring fingers in every day tasks.
I want to remove them before they break apart
My most recent incident with my right hand made me think I had finally ruptured the thin coating on the magnet. Fortunately, in my consultation with the surgeon it appears both are intact.
I want access to an MRI if needed
I'm lucky to have never needed an MRI, but it is something that's always bothered me - that my implants could prevent me from getting a time-critical scan or dissuade doctors from using that tool when they need it.
I'll post once more after the procedure. Hopefully they'll let me take pictures of the magnets!
1 comment:
Thanks for the update! Unfortunately I wasn't careful with pressure close to the magnet and mine broke inside my finger, causing an infection.
In my case, it wasn't worth it, but what is done is already done.
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