Breast Implant Removal: Stories

I have silicone implants since 1987. Went to PS after birth of second son for TT and asked about lift, he said implants would be better, I was a 34C, came out DD. Years later & many health issues, pain in right breast, breast MRI, shows implants intact, local PS says no reason to remove, many hours of research and this forum validates how I feel. I'm now 56 and want them out.

I am so grateful that I found this forum....so much support from all these brave ladies sharing their story and pictures to give us a glimpse of how we might look after explant. I no longer feel alone and I benefit from each and evert story or update that I read. I cheer each time someone makes it to the other side!

Three more weeks and I will be implant free. I have been visualizing that when the implants leave my body so will the constant pain throughout my body. I have been visiting this site since January and cheered each and every woman on reaching the other side. I have received so much support by reading the stories here. You start to feel a connection and wonder how this one or that one is doing. Women you have never met but have a bond with. A sisterhood. It is a beautiful thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you all you brave sisters!

We will be leaving for Cleveland 2 weeks from tomorrow. I can't begin to thank all of the brave women who have shared their stories, pictures and support. It has been a blessing to have found this site. I am exciting to start this next chapter in my life. I know it won't be a walk in the park, none the less I'm ready. I'm sure I will be updating daily as it gets closer as I find so much comfort in connecting with the sisterhood I have found here. Much love and well wishes to all of you!

It's April 1st and I leave for Cleveland on the 10th.....9 days and I'm on my way to be me again! When I first found this site I felt like it was just a dream to get my implants removed....I wanted this for so long. I will continue to post as I'm sure I will be having a lot of thoughts and feelings as my surgery date approaches.

Ok, so we left early due to the threat of freezing rain Wednesday morning. We drive about 1/2 of the way to Cleveland and stayed at a Holiday Inn for the night. I slept about 2 hours...I suffer from insomnia but am excited too. I took my meds but even that didn't work. Going to get some breakfast and head out around 9:00....forecast for the rest of the drive....scattered thunderstorms. Nothing like a little bad weather to add to the stress! I'm not nervous about the surgery just excited...like a little kid before a big event that you've been looking forward to.

Had my ultrasound mapping at the Cleveland Clinic today and my implants are polyurethane coated which were used in the 1980's. They break down and I have silicone in lymph nodes in both sides....at least 4-5 in the right axillla..under my collar bone and next to the breastbone. There are too many to remove and Dr. Feng does not remove them any longer unless they are painful. There are definate signs of implant failure with possible intracapsulare rupture on the right side. I ddin't see this coming since my Mammogram and breast MRI were normal. These don't show up on either test so ladies request the ultrasound. My appointment with Dr. Feng was amazing...she takes so much time to learn about you, your lifestyle and is very thorough. She definatley feels like these implants are causing many of my health issues and would like to work with me after surgery to help me regain my health. I felt so comfortable with her. I decided to get the lift cuz there isn't anyone else I would trust to do it and she said that it won't contribute to having to wear the drains longer. She felt I would be ok without but said that my breasts would still sit on my belly which is one of the things that bothers me. Lots of breast tissue so the lift will get them off my belly. I have to be ther at 6:15 for surgery at 8:00...expected to take 4-4 1/2 hours plus recovery 1-2 hours. Drains for 3-5 days. Long day but I'm more ready than ever given the report from the radiologist. These things are BAD news!!!! Well ladies, thank you so much for all your kind words. I will update when I'm feeling up to it.

Surgery is over and my right implant was ruptured in the back side...pretty big tear. The left was intact. No lymph nodes were removed due to the amount..over a dozen on each side. Dr. Feng said they will not pose any future problems. Had significant scar tissue on the right side which is what was causing my pain. Surgey took 4 hours then 1 hour in recovery. No
Pain on the left side post surgery but burning on the right where the scar tissue was removed. The staff and dr. Feng are amazing. I have four drains. One behind the breast tissue on each side and one under the skin from the lift. The Arnica is controlling the burning and I'm sure the blocks are a big factor in my comfort level. I feel pretty good and am so happy to have them out. I did have the polyurethane covered implants and this is why I have silicone in so many lymph nodes...it just continues to break down. Dr. Feng will be submitting a claim to my insurance company due to the medical necessity for removal. Will update when I can...going to rest, rest, rest so my body can begin to heal. Hubby is awesome and doting on me.....love him! Thank all of you that have wished me well...you are an awesome group of ladies :-)

Hello ladies....I am one week post op today and feeling great. I am so happy that I am on this side of explant and wish all you lovely ladies out there to follow your heart and don't be afraid. Many of my health symptoms have disappeared completely. I feel so light and free. I will have the waterproof tape on until Monday so I will update pics then. It has taken me a while to get up the nerve to post them but have found so much comfort in being able to see them before my surgery. Time to pay it forward and hopefully help someone one else. I want to thank everyone who has inspired and supported me on this journey as it has made it a journey that I will never forget. Thank you! ((Hugs))

Today is post op day 10 and the tape has been removed. I am happy so far with how they look, although a little flat from the compression and a little assymetric. I will continue to wear the ace wrap and compression bra for 4 more days, then I can start wearing any bra that is supportive. Have begun incision care routine 2x day for 3 weeks. I have a lot of bruising on the right side, rupture and extensive scar tissue on this side. I bruise very easily so I'm not surprised by the amount of it. I am continuing to take my Arnica 3x day until the bruising is gone. It feels great to have all that tape off....I'm happy that things seem to be healing well. I continue to feel good and many of my health problems prior to explant have disappeared. This is the best thing about having them removed.....anything else is a bonus? Will post pics as things heal and change. Thank all of you wonderful ladies for all your support!

Hello Ladies....today is two weeks post op and the ace wrap and compression bra are off....wow, what a relief. I feel great and have posted some pics in bras....to my surprise I'm a 34D. I am so glad I did the lift now that I see how much breast tissue I have and given how much sag I had with implants, they would have been sitting on my waist LOL. I was already having problems with sweating and the skin under my breasts with implants so the lift was just what I needed. I will post just boobs next week at 3 weeks post op. Thanks for all your support...just love it :)

Today marks three weeks post op and I have added some new pics. Things are healing nicely but I they feel very vulnerable. I am still wearing the post surgical bra to sleep in just cuz it feels more secure. The first few rides in the car without compression were uncomfortable. I found myself holding my breasts in my hands against my chest. That has gotten better and I am pretty comfortable in a regular supportive bra now. I have a lot of sensitivity in both breasts so that is good as I didn't lose it from the BA either. I am slowly resuming activities, walking on my treadmill and doing things around the house. I feel so much lighter and my neck and upper back feel great. I still have very minor aches and pains, nothing like before explant so for that I am very grateful. Dr. Feng did tell me that it may take a while for my symptoms to get better due to the silicone in my lymph nodes...however I am doing much better than I thought I would be. I will update pics at the 4 week mark. I so appreciate this site and all who have supported me in this journey. Love and Hugs Ladies!

Today is four weeks post op and every day I feel better, more energy, clear thinking and so grateful to fell like myself again. My breasts are healing great and the swelling is gone. I am back to my normal activities and am thrilled with my results. I just wish I had made the connection to my implants and failing health a long time ago....but better late than never :) I am posting pics that I took today. For anyone on the fence about explant...do it and for those who have been so helpful through my journey....thank you so much.