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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

My explant journey - day 15 (new pics)

Name: My explant journey - day 15 (new pics)
Item: Name not provided
Author: BittyBella

ORIGINAL POST

Hi ladies, I'm so glad I found this community...

BittyBellaMarch 13, 2013

WORTH IT$2,380

Hi ladies,

I'm so glad I found this community at Realself.com. Thank you to the women who have shared stories and pics. You are so brave and inspiring - so much so that I would like to share my story as well. I am now considering permanent removal (thanks to the community) and this is my story...

In 1994 (24 yrs old) I had my BA (Mentor saline 250 cc, over the muscle). I went from a 32/34 A to a 34/36 B/C. My natural breasts were small, but I recall admiring that they were perky (I unfortunately don't have any pics). I got them to feel "sexier" and "more like a woman". I thought implants would make me more proportionate and I've been pretty happy all this time and have thought they are the perfect fit... In retrospect, my Real breasts probably fit my small 110 lb, 5' 4" frame just right.

I haven't had any problems with them all these years, but about 5 days ago I felt noticeable rippling above my left breast. At first I thought I was being paranoid since my best friend woke up to an implant that completely deflated overnight just months ago and hers were about 20 years old as well. Fast forward to last night and I do definitely have a slow leak as my left is starting to look smaller than the right breast.

So, what to do?? I am torn between A) removal: the healthiest option, natural and small or B) re-implant: not so healthy, fake and what I've become accustomed to over the past 19 years. As i re-read my options I feel like the choice should be a no brainer to me, but Vanity - ugly Vanity is clearly clouding my judgement. Even my dear husband suggests that I get them out, but he also doesn't want me to take them out and fall into a depression - either I replace them or get them out and live with the decision. Fortunately, he loves me for me. I am clearly on the fence... I wish I had a stronger sense of self that wasn't so wrapped up in my self image. I worry if I am emotionally balanced enough for a permanent removal...

It seems there's alot to learn about - capsules - keep or remove, scar tissue, etc.? I have an appointment with the Dr who did my BA so long ago, but am guessing I should I consult with others as well.

Well, stay tuned. I'd love to hear from you and can certainly use your encouragement. :)

Replies (4)

LuvRealBoobsInOR

March 14, 2013

Definitely do more than one consultation. And if you are having any 'hesitation' be prepared to have most surgeons try to talk you into replacement implants. Even those of us who were SURE we wanted to explant had surgeons try to sell us on the idea of re

LuvRealBoobsInOR

March 14, 2013

Ahh.. Somehow hit submit with my thumb :/ Anyway, surgeons like to replace implants more than explant without replacement. So yes, more than one consultation and even more importantly figure out what YOU WANT first. Consider everything very carefully. And remember, if you choose revision with new implants you sign up for not 1 surgery but 2.... As in the next 20 years for certain they will need to be revised/removed again. So really consider what you want now, but also the implications of the future - do you want to have elective breast surgery again in your mid-60s? Vanity is still at play now, but as you go through 'the change of life' will vanity mean as much to you over the next 20 years? Etc etc. Only you can decide these things for yourself and you aren't wrong no matter what you choose. But definitely take the next couple decades into consideration, not just your immediate fear of losing some sex appeal today - weigh that against health concerns of breast cancer screening and having another elective surgery as you age. Only you can decide, and once you do find the surgeon who will best carry out what you want, and not try to change your mind, whether it is explant or revision.

Yusu

March 24, 2013

Such a well and intelligent comment. Yes I wish there was a like button:-)

ChinUp23

September 16, 2016

They look so good!!!

UPDATED FROM BittyBella

I found a great website that has priceless...

BittyBellaMarch 15, 2013

I found a great website that has priceless information about removal: explantinfo.com. I have my first consultation tomorrow and meanwhile continuing to search for other PS's to add to my list... It's funny because my slowly deflating implant looks "prettier" and the other one just looks kind of "fat" and way too big (I never thought this before)... lol. I'm going to ask about deflating both of them slowly before explant as I'm thinking it will be helpful to embrace and bond with smaller breasts before explant so it's not so shocking to my fragile self esteem... I'm also guessing it will help get over the self doubt that is still nagging me to just replace.

Replies (3)

BittyBella

March 15, 2013

Thank you LuvRealBoobsInOR for taking the time to share your comment - my husband said you put it perfectly and that's what he's been trying to tell me... I told him this is one of those things where you need to hear it over and over again - reinforcement... lol. It's also so refreshing not to feel alone. My well intentioned friends who have implants would never consider explant and I need to turn to you ladies for support since underneath it all explant is likely the right decision for me overall. :)

Angie_M

March 15, 2013

Thank you for sharing on RealSelf! Some ladies just do the removal, let themselves heal, and then decide whether or not to lift, replace, etc... I know it's more expensive that way and adds more recovery time, but it'd sure be nice to know how you feel without implants before getting new ones.

And yes, many doctors will really want you to replace as it goes against their grain to possibly make you look "less" than what you do now (of course, that's all in the eye of the beholder).

Please keep us posted on your decision. We're here for you all the way!

Explantsoon2013

March 16, 2013

I had the option to take them out for good vs replace them 20 years ago due to an implant rupture & chose replacement. Looking back, now that I've had them removed (3/11/13) I wish I had not replaced them 20 yrs ago. But hindsight is always 20/20. I think weighing all of your options & doing what you think is right for you will help you make the right decision. On a side note, I saw a woman that was 79 years old who has implants about a week before my scheduled explantation date & that's when I knew having them removed was the right thing for me.

UPDATED FROM BittyBella

Well I had my first consult with my original PS...

BittyBellaMarch 17, 2013

Well I had my first consult with my original PS yesterday... After complimenting his "work" that lasted all these years i got down to some questions. As expected he was surprised when I said I might want to explant. He's performed 20 explants and 18 re-implanted months later telling him they wished they had listened to him... He said he wouldn't need to do a capsulectomy or drains and recovery would be just under a week. Ready to schedule more consults... Wish they were all free though... Lol

Ironically, my husband and I went to a Korean bath house yesterday as well. The dry saunas are co-Ed and they give you a shirt/shorts to wear, but in the locker room and wet area (showers, jacuzzi's, steam room, etc) it's 100% nudity - leave your swimsuit and modesty at the door... Lol. Well, I couldn't help myself from sneaking peeks at all the naked boobs!! Haha, but what really struck me is that all these "au naturale" women looked beautiful and perfect to me! For the first time I felt embarrassed of my implants!!! Hmmm, my subconscious must be leaning more towards explant too. :)

Replies (2)

toomakeup

March 17, 2013

Hi Bella, There is a lot to learn about, and for most of us, it part of the implant journey as well as the lessons that sit in front of us .....sometimes we are ready to see it and other times we are not, and that's ok. I believe this is why a lot of the ladies, including myself did re implant and then after a few years ....when we are ready to see the lesson....we say, why didn't I just take them out then? It's because we couldn't see it....I will be on surgery #3, and the last ...thank goodness!!, ex planting march 22...after 23 years and 2 sets of implants, life, age and many more reasons have brought me to this decision I know I am ready for.....your body will tell you .....hope fully we listen...I know I listened but was in denial , so reimplanted 8 years ago. All of the ladies personal stories and journeys are so inspiring and some are brave! I hope this can support you in some ways. You will make the right decisions for you, follow your heart. Hugs