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Hello fellow FrankTalkers. I had a Boston Scientific Tactra malleable device implanted last summer. When I was discharged after my surgery, I received only very generic discharge instructions that mostly pertained to IPPs, and NO implant card. Believe me when I tell you that there is absolute dearth of information about malleable implants-a virtual informational desert! Even just basic information that implant recipients should know, is nowhere to be found and I've scoured the internet and FrankTalk for answers. Something as simple as...airport security (I fly out today)? Will the device be detected on Xray? I'm already sweating, wondering if I should preemptively approach TSA to be taken aside for individual screening? This has the potential of being beyond embarrassing and TSA is not known for their discretion. Those in the know, please help!!!

Hey there. I've heard conflicting information about this. But in general, I would simply say to TSA as you're walking into the scanner "I have a medical device in me, you might see it." Just own it. Be proactive this first time. Then, take note of what happened, what you saw on the scanner. If they don't say anything, ask them what they saw (if you feel comfortable).

Mine has been detected by the mmwave scanner where you raise your arms over your head. They asked me if I had anything in my pocket, patted me down and sent me on my way.

Im at 50% double checks and pat downs, im good with them now, I just say thats me. You might get the hand wand . It’s nothing to worry about.

I agree with Duke. Just own it. I don't know if you drink, but maybe have a beer before you go through the scanner to calm your nerves

All good advice and thank you gentleman. If I were flying alone, I wouldn’t really care at all but I am flying as a small group of work colleagues and I was hoping to avoid this embarrassing exchange.

I fly pretty much every week and I would say the implant shows on the TSA scanner about 75% of the time. They will tell you that something showed on the scanner and pat you down and you are on your way. It will show up on their scan reader as big yellow blocks in your groin area but does not show anything that resembles your implant. It usually adds less than two minutes to my TSA time and is really no big deal. They don't strip search you or anything like that just a simple pat down and you are on your way.

tobenormalagain wrote:All good advice and thank you gentleman. If I were flying alone, I wouldn’t really care at all but I am flying as a small group of work colleagues and I was hoping to avoid this embarrassing exchange.

Oh this is different.

My work colleagues are mostly female teachers and if they found out I had an implant I would be mortified. Even if my colleagues were mostly men it would be a bit embarrassing.

It's too bad it has to be this way. If it were any other body part there would be no shame, but it is what it is

I have global entry pass and I always go through the TSA pre check, but when I get close to the check area, I tell them that I have implants and they have me go through the scanner or use the wand, or they pat me down; it’s no big deal.
I’ve had knee replacements, so I tell them that I have implants, I don’t say anything about my IPP, but I have my IPP card ready in my wallet, just in case they want to ask questions, but they never have.
I’ve never seen the scan picture, but I think the reservoir shows up more than anything.
It really makes it easy when you self identify that you have some type of implant.

Don’t sweat it,
SWorks

Deleted Post quoted wrong FrankTalk brother