POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Removing my 35-year Old Implants! - Fort Lauderdale, FL
ORIGINAL POST
Referred to Dr. Revis by a friend, who herself was...
veranaMarch 17, 2013
$4,750
Referred to Dr. Revis by a friend, who herself was a referral from another friend. Very nice staff, everything explained to my satisfaction. Dr. Revis was extremely nice & took all the time I needed. He is immensely qualified, so I'm not nervous about that, just happy & excited & a bit nervous about getting these ruptured (from age) implants out, finally! I'm 66 & very health conscious. Implant removal only, no replacement. Just looking forward to being 'me' again!
verana's provider
Replies (68)
March 20, 2013
I too have had my implants for many years - 32 to be exact! I am having my surgery on 4/25 to remove them. I am a few months away from being 68 and have been healthy all of my life. I slipped on the ice 3 wks ago and believe it or not I took the brunt of the fall on my chest; left side to be exact. I had an MRI to check why I was experiencing such pain and it showed a ruptured implant. I do however believe that they are probably both ruptured - from age, just as you said. Anyway, it's time to get them out. Health is very important to me and although I cannot say that I have had any issues at this point, I don't want any either. I would have loved a "Lift" in combination with the Explant but just could not justify the expense.
March 20, 2013
Dear Time.....I'm excited for you, too! As you, I never had any issues in all these years, they looked good....(too good for my age, really!!)....I don't think the fall ruptured your implant, surgeon told me it was from age. Plus, my girlfriend had a bad car accident two weeks ago & the airbag went right into her implants & they are both fine. Anyway, lucky you, getting them done in April! I'm not having a lift either, but I think it'll be fine. I just paid my car off, so I figure the cc payments for the surgery will just take it's place for a year. Totally worth it!! I hope you're as excited as i am....this last third of my life I'm a total health nut, & it'll feel good to be all natural again!
March 20, 2013
I am excited to have them out, and a little nervous, but I feel good about the doctor that I chose. I wanted to be sure that he would to the procedure in a very careful way so as not to leave unwanted silicone in my body. I had difficulty finding information on experienced doctors up here in the North - I think in FL you have more to choose from. I pretty much know that they are both leaking as the doctor showed me on the MRI how to recognize the "linguini sign", and I agree I do not think that the fall caused it. Let's face it, I guess after so many years we can both say that we surely got our money's worth! So nice to share with you Verana.
March 20, 2013
You're right, there are a bazillion docs here in FL....but you still have to take the time to find a good one, just as you did. Can't wait to hear how you progress....and we did get our money's worth, for sure :)
April 16, 2013
Hi Just Me, I have noticed there are several of us that have had the implants in 30 years or over. Mine have been in 38 years! I am explanting June 5 and I am ready. I just couldn't take off from work any sooner! I am so ready! I have quite a bit of breast tissue so don't know what to expect. I didn't talk to my PS about a lift, I might when I go in for the preop in May. I will be following all of us explanting in May and June - should be interesting!
April 17, 2013
38!!! So, you win the Old Bags Award!!! You're must be ruptured too, right, just from their age??...We all sound like kids on Christmas morning. Mine's June 17th, only two months left. As you are, I have to wait for time off from work...not sure how I'll explain the smaller chest, but maybe the bras will help. I can't say breast operation, then the gals/guys at the retirement home where I work will think I was ill....I don't want to lie about it, but I also don't want to explain my implants-from-my-youth to everyone, either....will have to think of a good reply.....anyway, I know I'll look fine, so it really won't matter. Take care!
April 18, 2013
Wow what an honor, the old bags award, OK I will accept it! LOL. Yes they have been with me a long long time, longer than any man in my life!! I am on my 2nd set and they have actually been in 28 years, and the first set did rupture and I had them replaced with these. I have had mamograms every year and every dr. has said they are not ruptured but how can they not be!! My PS took a look at the latest mamogram and he didn't see a rupture either but I can't wait to get them out and see what we have! I have such mixed emotions and hope I will be as glad as I think I will. Tired of the bulk and weight of these hooters, they just get in the way and I have all kinds of unexplained aches and pains. Also dealing with horrible back aches so want some of this weight off my chest! I too have thought about the reaction at work but oh well, I will deal with that one when I have it, actually it is none of their business but I am sure I will have quite a few nosy people. You and I are the June explanters, do we have any more on here? I live in Oklahoma City. Where do you live. We will have to track each others progress! Gotta get back to work-have a wonderful day!
April 18, 2013
I live in Delray Beach, Florida. If you're NOT ruptured, it'll be amazing, as they usually age out, or so the docs tell me. My last mammo years ago said they were 'fuzzy'....after that I switched to thermography, much easier. Once these are out, I can always go back to mammos again...how big are yours? Mine are only 220's so I don't have backaches or anything, but I do have a tiny hole under one breast, which the surgeon said he'll fix, it's an implant problem, but he said they have to come out. It could be a muscle pull, not sure...anyway, 59 days to go...yeaaa!
April 19, 2013
Isn't it strange that mine are 165cc!??? They must have been a special order or something. Guess he did me a favor but as I look back and remember I kind of felt that they weren't very big - guess I really got ripped off! I do remember this, I was his first patient for "under the muscle" in September of 1981. I bet he used small ones as he was not skilled at that new procedure. My life was so full of problems at that point I didn't know which way was up! Just thinking back about it. Hmmmm Isn't it strange that I thought new boobs would straighten out my life!
March 22, 2013
Hi Verana, I just wondered if you had ever considered having a lift when you had the implant removal done? I would have a big credit card bill if I did, so have decided not to. Hope I don't look too scary! Hubby says not to worry but I do, a little bit. Guess I could always have it later on if I really wanted to - my surgeon would have no problem doing it at the same time - I know that some don't like to.
March 22, 2013
Nope, no lift. Maybe if I had a zillion bucks I would, but I'm not really saggy so am just hoping for the best!! My hubby doesn't care either....after 35 years, he's just happy to have me happy, clean clothes & dinner on the table....!!:)
March 22, 2013
I like your spunk - you are inspiring me! At this stage healthy is what it's all about, and now that I know the silicone is leaking I can't wait for my surgery. I really should have realized it sooner - 32 years - duh, I should have known!
May 24, 2013
Hi BTJM - I was kinda wanting a lift when I read they can do internal ones, but 2 docs I spoke to said I didn't have enough tissue. My doc reassured me and said he's always surprised how well the breast go back to normal after a few months, so best wait and see.
April 7, 2013
Hi Verana--did you find out if your insurance will cover removal since both implants are ruptured? And, did you check out Care Credit?
April 7, 2013
Hi Un..no, the surgeon doesn't accept insurance, so I just thought I'd submit to Medicare afterwards. Didn't check out Care Credit, am just putting it on my Visa! I'll call a month ahead, as they advise, to tell them of the large charge coming up. If Medicare reimburses me anything, I'll send it to Visa!!
April 7, 2013
That's right! I'll have to consider whether to put it on a Visa or get Care Credit once I have a surgery date set.
April 7, 2013
You're right, the older we get the more important our health is!! I was 31 when implanted & 66 now, with 70 days to go :) I, too, have more questions; I was so happy to meet him & get started with it all. Good luck to us both!
UPDATED FROM verana
Day of treatment
I made it to the other side of the road today!!
veranaJune 17, 2013
Hello girls.....I was at hospital by 5:30, operation right on schedule @ 7:30, back in recovery at 9:15 & released at noon! Words can't describe how happy I am to have done this. Dr. Revis was a dream, so very nice & friendly, met my hubby prior to surgery & answered any questions I had. He took lots of pics of the removed implants. It's weird, they were soft & ruptured, but he showed me on the pictures where the capsule had calcium on it which had started to flake off, like paint, inside. He removed the capsules & spent a lot of time removing capsule & calcium bits, cleaned it all out. The left capsule with the leak in it, had a strange protusion at the bottom - Dr. Revis said it had, entangled itself with my muscles, making things grow together, distorting the left breast badly. No wonder stretching my left arm kind of hurt! From what I can see peeking down the top, I look small but there's a little cleavage, which I never had in my life....interesting! I don't need the pain pills at all this afternoon. Very little blood draining, so drains probably coming out on Thurs, they said. Pretty sure he did the cutting on the bottom side, not aerola. After the surgery, the only discomfort I had, aside from the giant Velcro wrap he's got going around my bod, was nausea, & a bit of pain...she gave me nausea stuff through a drip, as well as pain meds through the drip. Will update more on Thurs after the post-op. I'm starving...sending hubby out for loaded potato skins, which is what I feel like now. Earlier, all I wanted was tea & a banana....I am so, so, so happy with both the surgery, the doc, his office, and everyone's efficiency. I'm blessed!.....now will start collecting the paperwork & pics to send to Medicare to see if they'll pay for any of it.....I'm so happy I went with this surgeon, who is one of the top guys in FLorida, double-board certified, and Consumer's Research Council of America listed him as on of America's Top Surgeons. To me, he looked about 15, but then again I'm 66 so what do I know! Thank you, girls, for all the support....it's so comforting having those old bags out!!
Replies (35)
June 17, 2013
Congratulations, Verana!! I'm so happy for you as you join us on the other side!! Can't wait to hear more updates! Take it easy and let hubby wait on you a bit as you heal. Xoxo
June 17, 2013
I am...he's off to pick up dinner....getting things I want as a treat, and things I never let him eat, like potato skins and mozzarella sticks!!! No wine til Wednesday, shower then as well, post-op on Thursday....extremely tired, though, so looking forward to a great sleep tonight!
June 18, 2013
You're right, I keep thinking I can do my usual stuff, but couldn't reach up for the vitamins today in the cupboard, so hubby did that....I feel good so I forget I can't do something until I stretch or something....
June 18, 2013
right, it's like a warning signal ... i think that's where the bruise under my arm came from ... the stitches must be pretty tight!
June 18, 2013
I didn't have a lift, & the incisions are under the breast, I think I just couldn't reach as all my muscles are sore! He said he cleaned out everything in there...yay!
June 18, 2013
Just got home and happy to see your post! Sounds as though everything went beautifully for you; I am so pleased. Interesting stuff going on inside of those boobies though - wow, it pays to be sure you have picked a good surgeon; thankfully you did!
June 18, 2013
Morning Verana, I just woke and I'm so pleased to hear all went well and you're happy. Hope hubby enjoyed those potato skin's and mozeralla sticks! Hehe. Keep resting x
June 18, 2013
Rosey, the skins & cheese sticks were for ME!! I was starving, not having eaten since 5 the day before....normally I don't eat like that, but it was SO good, and a rare treat....it fed my soul!!!
June 18, 2013
Were they! Haha. Good for you :o) God knows why I thought they were for hubby! I'm going more loopy than usual with the run up to my op... The hospital called me to double check my personal info...I put on my medical records and questionnaire that I weigh 8lbs 1oz!! X
June 18, 2013
Haha probably. The nurse was trying to be serious, bless her but I just couldn't stop laughing! X
June 19, 2013
That's funny....they have to ask all kinds of questions...she wanted to know if my husband abused me...I said no...I would have left him!
June 20, 2013
Its crazy what they have to ask now. I think they have to cover all bases and also cover themselves too. When pregnant, they had to ask if there were any abnormalities re genetics. They asked 'are you normal'. I replied 'are you sure you want me to answe that'! Haha. Hope you're resting and doing well x
June 20, 2013
I am, thanks! Feels better with the compression wrap on -- still hurts without it, but I told my husband it's a 'good hurt', knowing I did something so wonderful for my health! He said he truly doesn't care what I look like as long as I'm alive (musician with a great sense of humor!)...which is good, as right now I look like two piles of mushed dough.....:)
June 20, 2013
LOL - my bloke too is a musician with a great sense of humour! Mushed dough - that sounds familiar - like when you are making bread. Don't expect miracles on the visual side of things, hide them away and forget about them and start to enjoy all the other post-explant perks.
June 24, 2013
You two are so funny :o) Say it how it is. I like! Its what we need in life...humour. Candy's right, focus on the perks of being implant free x
June 18, 2013
SO glad you are on the other side! I had no fluffing fairy, so don't expect miracles, and mine look a little prunes lying below my ribs sticking out again where the clevage "should" be - I'm 3 weeks post. Doc told me yesterday I can go swimming for 10 mins & cycling on my bike again! 3 weeks will go soon, enjoy flopping about, as soon you will feel full of energy - and want to get athletic. Oh and I've noticed lots more men checking me out (I'm 61)!!! Stupid we put in those implants to get their attention when men are really only attracted our natural aura and good vibes!
June 18, 2013
Well, I just won't expect anything, that way I'll just feel better for any fairies that show up!! Great that you can swim & bike again. I'll start walking today, a little. It's so hot here - 90's - & doc said don't get your heart rate up or get overheated, and this compression thing - kind of looks like a really wide back brace - would be really itchy if it got hot. I'm 66 & all I want to be is healthier than I've ever been....:) I'm such a health nut anyway, but I have to get better about exercise.
June 18, 2013
Only 3 weeks to wait if all goes to plan. Its shot up to 29 degrees here, but certainly not ready to attempt swimming in the sea, there's a big wind so I would just be washed out into the ocean! Just think by autumn we'll be be back to proper workouts. They have these new dancing fitness classes at my gym, can't wait to try them when I'm back to normal and the temperature is lower.
June 18, 2013
You're past the surgery - Yeah!! Glad things are going well so far! Thank God for the excellent ps out there who we can trust to do the right thing! Take it easy ...
June 18, 2013
I'm taking it easy....but I want to drive through the bank across the street....it's ok, I'll stay in the car & I haven't taken any pain meds or muscle relaxers. Bought the meds it turns out I didn't need, but my friend is having it done too, same PS, so I'll give them to her, since it's standard stuff. Save her $100! Right now I'm just taking the arnica Montana & antibiotic he gave me, and lots of water!
June 18, 2013
Yeah, I'm pretty pain tolerant too, and didn't have my presecriptions filled. Hydration is very important. I loahad plenty of water both before and after the surgery. If you didn't have a lift, driving might be OK, but I don't think the reason for not driving is related just to the meds. Be careful ...
June 18, 2013
I will, it's only across the street. On Thurs, I'll get myself to the PS for my post op - 25 miles away - but I'll be careful. For me, the worst thing about the op are the drains, although I know they're doing their job & helping me to heal faster...:)
June 18, 2013
yep - I did go a bit giddy a couple of times over the last 3 weeks. Also I am taking a probotic now as I think the anesetic can unbalance your flora a bit...but maybe its too much information and our body can sort it out on its own.
June 18, 2013
The drains do get in the way! they came out so easily ... I expected more discomfort. Make sure you put a gauze pad on where the drain hole is if you're putting on your compression/sport bra. My bra was stained immediately because the drainage was quicker than we were. :-) There was minimal drainage after drains were out.
UPDATED FROM verana
4 days post
This is what came out of me on Monday!
veranaJune 21, 2013
Hope I posted these ok....we'll see! Taken the 17th in the operating room. You can see inside the capsule where the calcium had built up over the implant.....and mine were soft! To think this is what we're ending up with....and the 'tail' on (my) left boob was where the leaky bit started to tangle with my muscle, tissue, implant, etc....my left scar won't be as neat as my right one, but that's due to the tangle...
Replies (33)
June 21, 2013
God that "tangle" looks ghastly. Thanks for those photos however gory! Such a relief for you to be free. Only a coupla weeks and you'll have almost forgotten you had the op - even more the pressure you were getting from the capsules.
June 21, 2013
When I had them implanted in California in '78, I went to a bigwig surgeon who was a great guy & did a lot of friends of mine at the time. We all were happy then, & looked good. He used McGhan implants, which at the time were the best! Guess they were ok, mine lasted 35 years and were still within the capsule, except for the tangle, although both were ruptured from age....you're right about the pressure - it's gone!!!
June 21, 2013
Oh wow, those capsules are AWFUL looking. This should be shown to us before we get implants- would put PSs right out of business! I have a scar that wasn't looking so hot, but time and massage helped a lot. Was the removal through existing scars? It's cool to see a Revis explant, since he's known as the Boob God Master Surgeon, and is well known for XL implant surgeries. :-) Hope you are feeling well, certainly you are better off without that s#@% inside you!
June 21, 2013
I know, right? Great office, great staff. I joked he looks 15, but I'm 66 so what do I know :) So qualified, and I love fact that he's on the Ethics committee & does volunteer work in Senegal & for Interplast. He just seems like such a nice person. ( He repaired a friend of mine's boched implants & she looks wonderful, but unfortunately she got cancer a couple of years later & the chemo & radiation treatments have lessened her viable tissue; she feels the implants are impeding her recovery, so he's going to remove them once & for all. Now she can't wait!). Maybe if people get implants and truly get them replaced every ten years, they don't have the problems some of us had, who have had them for such a long time. He didn't go through the original areola incision, to answer your question...since the tangle was a problem, I preferred they both have incisions on the bottom where they won't (hopefully) show, and besides, he had to wangle it all out. My right boob will be perfectly shaped on the bottom, I think, & we'll have to see about the dodgy one...whatever, doesn't matter, & I don't care, it'll be fine in a sports bra!
June 21, 2013
I'm sorry about your friend- I know radiation can really do a number on the skin. I'm sure she'd much rather have 'less attractive' comfortable breasts than 'perfect' painful ones that are just getting in the way! About the 10-year replacement plan- most PSs say 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', and don't recommend replacement unless there is an issue. Obviously, the scar tissue just continues to build up and calcify, so why aren't they being more upfront about the eventuality of this? I was told mine would last forever and I would be buried with them- I was 21 when I had my op!! That's why sites like these are so valuable. It's much more meaningful to read stories and see photos of people who have actually had implants for a while, rather than just see a catalog of surgically perfected [RS bleep] fresh off the operating table. Thanks for sharing!! I like the idea of calling one boob 'dodgy!' I think I'll adopt that- If I'm ever in a situation where someone sees my dented boob, I'll say "Oh yeah, that's my dodgy one- the prettier one is to the left." lol ;-)
June 21, 2013
Funny, I was told the EXACT same sentence when I got mine at 31. They'll last forever. I'd have to get run over by a Mack truck to have them pop....but nothing was said about disintegration!!! As for my buddy, she can't get replacements/reconstruction as she's not healing very well these days....last note....I'm a dual citizen of Britain & US, so dodgy works for anything that's just not quite right, somehow! :) :) Have a good weekend1
June 22, 2013
I wasn't told they would last forever, but i was too up my arse to evaluate problems down the line back then! What I am annoyed about is because of all the capsule problems first time around where he literally tried to crack them by jumping on me with a firm grasp, a few times, and that was really painful and so disappointing when it didn't work and all my hopes had been raised. He also raised my hopes by saying there's a different brand that is textured and you won't get capsules with these...but once replaced in 1998 these again never felt natural and lo and behold the hard capsules formed again. I guess we can't blame the surgeons 100%, but their promises of "it can be fixed if you have a problem" should not be taken seriously.
June 22, 2013
Hey nervous girl - I just read your review, gosh you sounded so depressed, but like another happy person now. So glad you went ahead and got them out then climbed out of your depression and you and hubby all cool about things now.
June 22, 2013
She DOES sound better....that should give everyone who feels a bit down, hope that it all only gets better & better.....:) Life is good....much better than NOT living, right?
June 22, 2013
I remember, years ago, having friends who had to have their boobs 'squeezed' or something by the PS to break the hard capsules.....awful. Glad I didn't have to do that. I still can't believe mine were so soft, after I see the horrible capsule & calcium buildup within the capsule enclosing the implant.
June 22, 2013
yes those capsule sqeezes were horrific - I had to lay down while he "got the grasp" then litererlly throw himself on me with all his might hoping for a "pop" - he did metion having anesaetic at one point to try again, but I had nobody I could ask to escourt me to and from the clinic! A couple of times it felt partially released. Because of that "half tear" they ended up looking really an odd shape - lights off in bed from then on if ever I "got lucky" with some unlucky guy!
June 22, 2013
LOL ! No - lucky I have a pretty outlook on life, and was busy being a single mum, but I can see why others got real depressed by their implants and the guilt of the expense, health worries and male judgement issues
June 21, 2013
Wow wow wow! Thank you SO much for posting those photos. They speak volumes.
Glad you're so happy to have done this! You have an great attitude.
June 21, 2013
Thanks...and even though the compression wrap isn't comfortable, I know I'm mushing all my tissue back together, which makes me feel good! I thought I posted more pics, but they're basically all the same. The rupture was contained in the capsule, except for the leak one...he had to cut & snip it away from the muscle...I gather it was a tangled mess....I'll probably end up being 32A....and happy!!! Even sore & feeling like mushed bread dough, the boobs feel good - and real, and soft again...yay!!
June 22, 2013
From what I've seen on this site, and other 'explants'...they all look about the same...except the newbie girls, they all look pretty new!
June 21, 2013
Oh my gosh everyone ought to see those pictures! I am so glad you are free of that mess! You will be amazed at how your body will heal. Take care and above all, don't overdo!
June 22, 2013
Wish I didn't have to go to work on Monday, it's been lovely being home playing on my computer & doing nothing! Think I'll have a glass of vino tonight. My old baggies look just like the video that was posted the other day....I saw that video & thought, how awful, and mine were just the same!!
June 21, 2013
Ay yi yi, Verana! Thank goodness those nasty bags are out of your body and can start the healing process!!
I'm so glad you found the community and started your story! What are you most excited about about having your implants removed?