Breast Implant Removal: Stories

Write a Review

Saline Breast Implants Deflated. Mistake or Best Decision Ever?

goingnaturalagain
posted 1 year ago
updated 1 year ago

Not Sure
USA

I've had my saline breast implants for about...

22 Mar 2012

I've had my saline breast implants for about 15 years, was a B and went to a D. (2 children before and 1 child with them in) The doctor drained them in his office so I could see what they would look like before having the shells removed. He pulled 190 cc's from each and I'm sure they are totally drained now but I'm not sure how many cc's were in there to begin with. It's been 8 days so I'm pretty sure this is my true breast tissue. I'm a little mixed right now because they are very empty and dent in and extremely flat on top. I hope it's the shells that are still in giving it a slightly weird pulled look but I think that what I see now is what I'm going to get. I also think that they are still very rounded on the bottom due to the shells still in. Lord only knows what they'll look like with the shells gone, probably worse, OMG!

I also don't know how he'll remove them (hospital being totally asleep or in his office under a local) I have been looking for pictures of any that resemble mine but everyone else that has had theirs removed look way fuller at the top. I'm almost regretting the look of them but to be honest, I don't want to get a lift because I can't afford it. It's very nice to be able to sleep on my stomach and feel "squishy" again!

Most importantly, I'm one step closer to being natural again and that's the most important thing to me. I'm not at all happy with the look of them right now :-( I'm kind of hoping for a miracle of "fluffing" after the shells are removed but I'm not very optimistic at the moment about that. I'm definitely NOT getting new implants regardless of how they look!!

If anyone has ever looked like this and can provide fuller pictures after several weeks, please please please send me the link to give me hope, lol :-) Thanks everyone!

PS - this site has been a life saver! Also, I totally guessed at the cost of removal, I have no idea how much it will cost yet.

I was finally able to do a "real" breast exam on...

23 Mar 2012

I was finally able to do a "real" breast exam on myself after the saline was drained from my implants. I found a lump that felt like it was attached to my chest wall but when I lean over and feel the same spot, it's gone and feels like it's part of the empty shell. My OBgyn said it's probably the valve because he felt a similar lump in the other breast. I'm scheduled to go March 28th for a mammogram. I'm not sure why but he only ordered a mammogram for the left breast (where I felt the lump at) You'd think he would have ordered one for BOTH to see what the heck he felt on the right side! I also pushed my appt up to March 26th with my PS to get a new quote for just the removal. I was originally supposed to wait 6 weeks but I don't need that much time to decide what I want. Even if this is the final look of my breasts then so be it...I'm just ready to be natural again! Will update after my PS appt on Monday.

Went back to the doctor Monday and he confirmed...

29 Mar 2012

Went back to the doctor Monday and he confirmed the caved in look is coming from the deflated vacuum sealed shell. He gave me a new quote for just the removal and a partial capsule removal. He said he'll remove the top of the capsule but leave the back inside unless he sees reason to remove it once he's in there. $3800 for everything. Not too bad, now to save up the $$$ to make it happen! I also went and had my mammogram done Wednesday and the doctors confirmed the lump is indeed part of the implant and that my tissue looks great, thank goodness!! Oh please, let me buy a scratch off and win the lottery ticket for 4K this week, lmao! :-)

Great review?

Comments (12)

Sort by

lexisky 26 Sep 2012

I've been anticipating your updated pics. My frame, implant position, and size are much like yours. How are you feeling? I have so many questions. I've read so many stories of the girls who explanted from the submuscular position, but very few from girls like us. I'm scheduled for deflation in October. Would you mind a kindly update? I chose to deflate first like you in hopes in time my breast tissue would contract before making any other decisions moving forward. Has this been the case for you?

goingnaturalagain 30 Mar 2012

Brownies & sheatheviking - great idea! I will check into this, thank you!

sheatheviking 29 Mar 2012

I was going to post the same thing as brownies. I applied for CareCredit online and got instant approval. It's like a credit card for medical proceedures. I think you can check on the website if your doctor uses carecredit. I decided to use my Amazon Visa instead, cuz I still get points. Figured 5,000 points closer to a free airplane ticket is worth something!

brownies123 29 Mar 2012

goingnaturalagain,
I saw your post today. I dont know if your PS offers it but I was able to get a financed acct with mine that is with carecredit and I can make monthly payments interest free for 12 months.

Angiemcc (Community Manager) 23 Mar 2012

Thank you so much for posting here on RealSelf! I think over time your skin will snap back some and you'll be happier with your look. Please keep us posted!

goingnaturalagain 23 Mar 2012

Thank you everyone! I am very glad to hear from all of you that no matter how yours look now that you're all still very happy with having them removed! I'm certain I'll feel the same :-)

I called my PS and bumped up my appt with him to this coming up Monday because I don't need an additional 4 weeks to decide on if I want replacements and lift because I don't want either.

That's a great comparison (vacuum sealed bag) and that's very much what it feels like inside so I hope you're right!

When it's all said and done, no matter how they look...they will be a testimony to my life for the good (children) and bad (implants). I am still pushing full throttle ahead and having them OUT! Just hope it doesn't cost insane amounts of $$$ or else I may have the shells in for quite some time as I save up the money.

backtonormal 22 Mar 2012

Hi goingnaturalagain. Congratulations on making the decision to explant. I'm no expert, but I would say you're emptiness at the top is because of the shell and scar capsule still remaining. Think of it like a vacuum sealed bag. All the liquid is now gone, so the sides of the implant are sticking together and the scar capsule is attached to your breast tissue, hence the indent.

You have a lot of natural tissue , so I would say you'd be very pleased with the result once the fluffing starts. And it will. It's very subtle for most, but it's best not to scrutinize the results. The less often you look, the more you'll notice the change. Then again, if you're anything like me, you'll be so happy you can't stop staring at them!! ;0) All the best to you. x

brownies123 22 Mar 2012

hello,
I understand your concerns. We all had them. It's scary to know what they will look like. My surgeon actually recommended waiting at least one year before deciding on a lift as they will change and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately, I dont feel mine have fluffed up much but its ok. I still love them natural and that's what push up bras are for. The emptiness up top does take some time to fill in and I think it is more noticeable to you right now because the shell is weighing your breast tissue down. Keep your chin up and good luck with your decision. Keep us posted.

golden1234 22 Mar 2012

hi goingnaturalagain,

Congrats on your decision, I completely understand the way you feel right now, but all I can say is pls dont worry as they fluff up in no time. Im as today 1 month post explant and they have been changing for better n better daily, my last uploaded pics were on day 15 but at day 29 im way better and fuller.

My 1 day post explant pic shows how empty I was from the top but at day 15 it got better and now its even better, so pls be worry free regarding it filling up.

The crease dent like thing u see right now can be bcos u still have the shells inside, once they are out, ul look more natural. I wish you all the best and pls keep updating.

wantimplsout 22 Mar 2012

Lol, to your last comment! Like that idea! Why not just get them removed and not have a lift? What was he going to charge for removal? Thats what I am nervous about too...the $$ for removal. One dr. Wanted 4941 just for removal! My original Dr.s office couldnt give me a quote, said its up to the dr. So just gotta wait and see. I just feel so uncomfortable especially in bathing suit tops, tank tops. Sucks! I know...now that Im older I regret it..shouldve listened to my mother! Lol!

goingnaturalagain 22 Mar 2012

My doctor thought I would benefit from seeing what they'll look like first because I was contemplating getting a lift. This way, I can see the result so I can decide on a lift or not. I actually decided the moment he gave me the estimate (11K!!!) I've love my new look with clothes on already! I just hate the dent :-( I'll update as time goes by. The doctor said it would take about 6 weeks to see the full effect, we shall see! Maybe you're right about removing the capsule. I can feel the outside of the capsule, like a hard line. Wish they could just tack the fat from the bottom to the top when the shells come out, haha!

wantimplsout 22 Mar 2012

Hi, mine are similar looking to yours, I still have saline implants in. I am going to see my Dr. About having them removed completely. I have never heard of draining them first?? Think thats weird? When they remove them, they have to perform a capsullectomy to clean out all the scar tissue. Maybe after that is done you won't have that dimple anymore. I am in the same position as you and cannot afford to have a lift. You would think they would include that when they remove them! I am also very nervous as to what they are going to look like after. But I want them out and want to feel better in my clothes, dresses especially ;).