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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews

10 Year Saline Implants Cause Illness - Atlanta, GA

UPDATED FROM RaiRai2012
9 months post

9 months post explant

WORTH IT$10,000
Well ladies, it's been a while since I updated. Until recently I had seen no change cosmetically or medically. Now, I have small changes I wanted to share.
As you can see by my pic, my left breast seems to have filled in a little. I still clearly have a pocket there that is even more noticeable if I raise my arms or lie on my back. But overall, I would have easily been satisfied if both had the look of the left breast. Sorry for the poor picture (and my thumb). It was late and I was tired.
My poor pitiful right breast I do believe is permanently stuck. At times it seems like I may have more fullness at the top. And at times it seems exactly the same. I think that skin is stuck and it appears that no amount of time or gravity will help.
Medically wise, my chemical sensitivity has worsened even more. I have recently learned that people with MCS don't generally tolerate anesthesia well, as it's a mixture of chemicals. It has spiraled my chemical sensitivity out of control and I'm now researching doctors to treat this condition. Certainly if any of you ladies have suffered from MCS and have found a way to beat it, please let me know any advice or doctor reference you have for treatment.
I, of course, can't tolerate more anesthesia for more surgery but regardless of that, I am still at a place mentally in which I'm ok with how I look for now. No, I don't love it. And I don't look at myself and think I have beautiful breast. But I do look at myself and think, "You survived." And then these breasts seem like war heros. Lol
My husband loves me any way I am. I have to appreciate that. We joke.
Me: If you're into big boobs you'll have to look elsewhere.
Him: Been there, had those
Me: If you're into normal boobs, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Him: Been there. Had those. They are way overrated.
And I appreciate that we can joke about it and that I'm loved for far more than my looks.
For you ladies who have had less than perfect explant cosmetic outcomes, I know how emotional it can be. But if you were sick from your implants, with them nearly destroying you, as mine did, focus on your health. We can purchase pretty bras. But good health is priceless.

RaiRai2012's provider

Mark Crispin, MD

Mark Crispin, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.7 | 55 Reviews
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In my experience, this surgeon was dishonest. My surgery was two fold - explant for medical/health reasons and lift for cosmetic reasons. The lift was optional. But I didn't want to be deformed. Crispin was the 2nd surgeon I consulted with. He admitted he had little experience with removal of the scar tissue but stated that he had done it and could do it for me. He mentioned possible poor cosmetic results. When I asked him to explain, he said I had very little tissue left and removal of my scar tissue would make my breasts even smaller. I explained to him that my health was my first priority and that while looks matter hence me paying for a lift, it wouldn't matter what size I was if in still sick as a result of toxic scar tissue left inside me. Once again, he assured me he could do this surgery never mentioning possible deformity or that I should consult with other surgeons or save my $5000 from the lift since I would be deformed regardless. Post surgery, when it was obvious I was going to be permanently deformed, Crispin was verbally cruel stating that he warned me of this outcome and that I looked good with the implants in and he could put them back in for me. He suggested I needed to see a therapist and further implied that maybe I wasn't sick after all. I don't guess I will ever know 100% if this cosmetic outcome would have happened regardless of the surgeon I chose. But I do know he wasn't 100% honest upfront about his capabilities and he completely lacked compassion when he saw the outcome. He not only accepted no responsibility, instead of saying these things can happen beyond anyone's control or something else of that sort, he was cruel with his words and attitude at a time when I was most vulnerable, often insulting me in his attempt to put the responsibility of the poor cosmetic outcome on me. And my gut feeling is that the outcome is a result of his lack of expertise. I wish he would have told me he didn't have enough experience or that he could try to do it rather than telling me 100% he could successfully do this surgery when clearly that doesn't appear to be the case. My surgery was still worth it because I would have chosen to be deformed to get the implants out and regain my health had that been my only choice. I should also note that one of my deciding factors in choosing this surgeon was one of the girls in his office telling me another doctor had left her messed up and Crispin fixed her and made her beautiful. She told me over and over again how good a job he would do in making me beautiful. Whether this was all a lie to pull me in, I will never know.

Replies (32)

Why don't you have scar release with surgery?
Because of my MCS, I can't tolerate surgery. Plus, I just don't want surgery right now. I'm focused on my health more than my looks. There may come a time that I want surgery, want to pay for surgery, can pay for surgery, am willing to suffer through another recovery and can tolerate surgery, but that time is not now. Treating MCS is very expensive and it's a progressive crippling illness at this point. That is my primary focus now. Healing.
Plus there is always a chance I'm wrong and that skin will release on its own. I'm a patient person. I will wait to see how things unfold on their own. I'm not even at the one year mark yet.
rai rai I'm glad your doing well in your adjustment. I think I've told you before that I had the same problems with my right side, it's been almost a year and half. I still have occasional pain in my indented breast, have thought of having it released, but like you just not ready for surgery yet. I to have chemical sensitivity, it was odd right after surgery my cms got better but only for a short time, about a month. Ive spent hundreds on trying to fix it. Did'nt get mcs until after I got implants!! Keep up the fight!
Hello RaiRai, I joined this site a couple of months ago. I just want to tell you that your look SO much better! Truly, your breasts have come a far, far way since your surgery! You are an inspiration to me and probably to all of us on here. My surgery will be May 20th and I'm afraid the "fold" could happen to me. One surgeon I copnsulted with told me it definitely would happen because of how high up the pectoral was cut when my implants were placed underneath. The surgeon I'm going to is in Cleveland and I have to travel to her. I'm praying it goes well but I'm also prepared for the same type of outcome you've had. We just don't know going into this. but I do know that I want them OUT. Twenty seven years is way to long! I wish you many blessings and continued healing from your MCS. Dove.
I wish you the best of luck. I still would have explanted knowing this would have been my outcome. It was my first step to recovery from implant illness. Thanks so much for your kind words.
Praying for your disease to calm back down and for continued patience for healing and recovery, thank you so much for posting, the long term changes are what give inspiration to those of us who didn't have perfect outcomes immediately and gives us hope!! XoXo TLP
I'm surprised to hear yours improved right after surgery. I've read it typically gets worse right after surgery from the reaction to the anesthesia. My problem is mine got worse but has progressively continued to worsen. So I need help to stop the progression. I am considering seeing a doctor in Atlanta that specializes in mcs and other environmental illnesses. I know it will be expensive. I just hope she can heal me from the MCS. There could come a time that I choose cosmetic surgery on my breasts again. But I think for me, it's unlikely. Just because this whole illness started with not being satisfied with my looks. And I feel like I need to learn from that. I may not be perfect. But, even if I fix my breasts, I still won't be perfect. And I've learned there's just so much more to life than breasts. Like you, I do have some pain in the right side though. I just don't know if surgery would improve that.
Since I had a similar outcome, I just had a fat transfer to fill in the gaps. It helped to some extent but I will have to have at least one more. I don't have much fat to transfer and since I am 74 the skin from under which the fat is taken will just sag. I don't care about the abdomen, etc. but I did care about having a normal looking pair of breasts an being able to keep a bra in place instead of it riding up. Like your breasts, one looked much worse than the other. You do have a lot of breast tissue so time may help a lot. I have very little breast tissue and am old so I am in a different category than you are. Thank you for sharing and I am hoping for your MCS you are following some of the natural protocols that are SUPPOSED to help. God Bless.
UPDATED FROM RaiRai2012
4 months post

More changes than I realized

At 4 1/2 months post explant, seeing a pic of myself has made me realize there are more changes than I realized. My left Breast, although far from perfect, seems to be filling out more. Sadly, it seems a lot of the tissue is falling down to the outside of the Breast and I doubt it will come back up into that pocket since now gravity is working against me. But I can live with the left side. To touch, it feels completely normal and looks normal in a bra. My poor right side is as pitiful as always, maybe more so. It looks like maybe it's caved in even tighter. I'm not so sure that skin didn't stick leaving no way for it to ever fill in. But, I will continue to be hopeful since I know our bodies will continue to change. And the thought of another surgery right now, even if I had plenty of money, makes me sick. I can't do it right now or even at 6 months. But I've always said I'll wait till a year, maybe two, post op to decide. Thanks for all the support ladies. It's greatly appreciated.

Replies (13)

There are improvements - you're right! I really love how you're thinking. Waiting a year or two is very smart - so many more changes/improvements will happen with time. If you go back to your original post to now - there's a softness in your writing that matches your new natural softness in your breasts - I love it! Thank you for the update Rai - I love following your profile! (soft hugs your way!)
Wow that's a huge change. Good luck for the rest of your recovery it's going in the right direction.
You look better and better, give it time, prayers ur way, for sure wait on re- surgery.. Here's to ur health and new lighter bod!! :)
Actually, both look improved! The left looks awesome!! Keep massaging the right. Things will keep taking shape. Take care. Hope your health is improving too.
Just wanted to tell u how brave u are to remove your implants, hooray for good health. I think u look beautiful. I hope things continue to improve, prayers ur way. Take ur time about another surgery (u may not need it) & get a 2nd opinion for peace of mind before u move forward with anything further. Best of luck and healing prayers ur way
Thanks. As time goes by, my attitude is changing. I'm not near as depressed. I'm feeling more hopeful that I will change enough to feel satisfied with my overall look. But I'm also feeling like maybe I might just get used to how I look and be ok with it even if I don't ever really change much from this point. Of course, I won't ever like looking like this. But it may become just another part of who I am to the point of where I don't worry about it anymore at all. It's hard to say right now how I will feel in the future. I'm especially hopeful I can find some better bras that make me look better in clothing. I haven't shopped for bras much because in the past it would just make me cry. But I am going to shop again soon.
UPDATED FROM RaiRai2012
4 months post

Another Woman Like Me!!!

Ok ladies, I've finally seen pics of someone with a similar outcome to mine. She's on here - Flora 34. By the one year mark, she looked great. However, I'm progressing with much less change than she did. So I don't necessarily think I'll end up with the same results as her. But it gives me reason to hope that maybe I can reach a point of not looking as bad. I don't require perfection to be happy with my look. But I would prefer to be less deformed than I am now. I'm not doing an updated pic this month because not a lot has changed. I do know I heal very slow compared to most other women. I'm hoping this means I will change for the better just at a much slower pace.
Two things have been suggested to me recently though. One is to massage with frankincense oil. And the other is to massage with all natural progesterone cream. Anyone heard of either of these options making a difference in concaved Breasts or to help with fluffing?

Replies (2)

I pray for a good outcome for you.
Thanks Frisky
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