Breast Implant Removal: Stories

I had my breasts enlarged when I was 21 years old almost 5 years ago. I stressed to the doctor that it was very important to me that I would be able to breast feed my children and he assured my that if I got them under the muscle there wouldn't be any problems which is what all plastic surgeons say. Well I had my first baby in July of this year and breastfeeding has been a nightmare! I have suffered from two severe cases of mastitis in each breast with permanent skin discoloration from the infections. I have had to go to some extremes in order to keep the clogged milk ducts at bay. While I was getting over the infections I started pumping because nursing was too painful and now that they are better she won't latch. Luckily I over produce a little so I have been freezing the extra to feed her through 6 months so I can dry up my milk in a couple of weeks in order to have this surgery in January. I know the clogged ducts are caused by the implants because they are large and pushing on the ducts.I also have done some extensive research and about 85% of women who get implants even if they are behind the muscle have problems breastfeeding. If I would have known that I would have never got them. I feel awful that I'm not getting the breastfeeding experience I wanted to have because of this and I want to have at least 2 more kids.

I want to get them out! They are so heavy and my back constantly hurts. I just feel stupid looking with these huge boobies now. They are too big like an E bc I am still pumping right now. I can't even stand up long enough to make my family dinner without my back hurting to the point of having to lay down. I must say they turned out really nice after I got them and served a purpose then because I was a swimsuit model at the time, but now that I am a mom I don't see the point. I was pretty small before an A cup or maybe a little bigger. I am 5'5" and I was 120 before the surgery. I was 130 pre-pregnancy and right now I am about 145 haven't lost all of the baby weight yet due to all the complications. I am hoping for the best I have soft round saline 425cc in the left and 450cc in the right. I wouldn't mind getting a lift if I needed one but I think I want to wait until I'm done having kids because I am just terrified of any more complications with breastfeeding. Is there anyone out there who has a similar age, implant size, etc? I would love to hear how they turned out once they were taken out. I am a little afraid of how saggy they are going to turn out but I'm only 25 so I am hoping my skin bounces back. I will post pictures once my milk drys up and they go back down next month just because my nipples are all jacked up right now because of the pump. I'm not sure what the cost will be yet because my PS won't give me an estimate until he sees me after my milk dries up so the $4,000 is just a guess. thanks for any comments in advance

Well the more research I do the more I freak out about the technique being used during surgery (en bloc, etc) Also drains and sewing the pocket shut. I don't think my plastic surgeon removes the scar tissue if its thin and I'm not sure yet if he uses drains or not. I would hate to have another surgery to correct something that goes wrong while having the implants taken out. I know I don't need the en bloc since I have smooth saline but since they are under the muscle they say it's hard to remove all the scar tissue. I also read that sometimes you shouldn't have the PS that put them in take them out since they probably aren't as skilled in this. I have been online searching for other plastic surgeons to get info on explantation experience. I even called the hospital to ask for a breast specialist to see if they can refer me to someone with lots of experience in this. I just want to get it right the first time! Wishing I could fast forward to 6 weeks after the surgery like I'm sure all you ladies too. Hoping I don't have to wait too long after I dry my milk up next week and praying its long enough for boobs to adjust back pre-pregnancy to have it in January.

Well looks like I won't be able to have the surgery until late in March early April. 3 to 6 months is the recommended time to wait after your done breastfeeding. I went with 5 months as now that I think about it my boobs probably need that time to recover from the pregnancy and I will most likely (fingers crossed) be back to my pre-pregnancy weight but 10 pounds heavier than when I had my BA. Thanks to all the support on here! Wish I didn't have to wait so long but I'm sure all you ladies will be to the point in March when your so happy with your decisions you can give me some reassuring words as I'm sure it is very hard the first couple of weeks as I have read. Prayers to all recovering! :)

Well I successfully weaned without another infection yay! I can't believe I was keeping up with pumping every 4 hours. Now that I don't have to worry about I can't believe I did that for so long, it was miserable! My poor husband has been a saint, but now we can go out whenever and I don't have to be attached to my breast pump! I finally got my pre-op pictures and I forgot how small I was :/ so I am a little more nervous about the surgery. Luckily I know my boobs aren't an issue for my husband as we starting dating before my surgery and he told me at the time not to get them, but I know he has enjoyed them so there is always that little insecurity that they won't be as happy which is just silly since he is all for me having them taken out. I have found 3 surgeons that I know I will be scheduling appointments with in March and will be doing more research to see if I want to meet with anyone else. I will be posting photos today I would have done it sooner but my husband didn't want me to at first I had to explain to him what this site was really about and no face shoots haha. I will post one more picture before as I will prob have lost some weight currently doing beachbody insanity OMG its so hard! This might also just be in my head but other pictures on this site of 400cc or more that had A cups before look bigger to me than my boobs. Maybe its just me. Now for the waiting game.....

Well I can't even explain how frustrating it is to have to wear 2 sometimes 3 sports bras while working out. If I don't they just bounce around and hurt like 2 ridiculous water balloons (literally). It is getting really annoying having to wait so long to get them out. Every time I look at those pictures I notice my that my left boob is trying to run away or something.. It looks like the implant might have fallen out of underneath the muscle. I don't know I'm just so over these stupid boobs! They get in the way of freaking everything!

Well I keep getting emails to update so here goes. I still have to wait until April to get my explant. I will be visiting with Dr. Melmed the beginning of March and pretty sure he will be the surgeon to perform as he actually called me personally to discuss my concerns. He also recommended waiting the six months after breastfeeding so that's what I'm doing considering he is the best at what he does. I'm about ready to rip them out myself at this point. My right breast is starting to get what feels like muscle spasms or something. Not really painful but really weird. My back hurts in the left upper part all the time. That is the side my larger implant is on so I'm guessing that contributes to that pain. Trying to get comfortable with a 5 month old in the bed is just a joke at this point. When I lay on my side they hurt and feel like they are sitting on top of each other. If I lay on my back they both fall to the sides. Working out has become uncomfortable as well since I now have to wear 2 sports bras. Its amazing how aware I am of the actual implant inside of me now compared to 3 years ago. Hoping the next couple of months go by pretty quickly and I can put this all behind me and fully enjoy the new me. Sorry its not much of an update.

Well I made my consultation appointment to see Dr. Melmed in Dallas for March 15th and my surgery date will be April 12th. I wanted to make the consultation a month in advance so I can discuss all the vitamins and oils I use and if I need to stop them prior to the surgery. I really wanted April 5th but it was booked :/ My breasts are really getting painful and I am afraid i'm getting CC. I also have weird pinching pains if I move certain ways and the weird shocking feeling still comes but not as often. I'm so ready to be done with these things and move on with my life. I have been so tired lately with headaches but I'm sure that's all in my head since they are saline implants. Hope you ladies are doing well.

Had them out yesterday. I feel great and got a little peek when he took my Drains out this morning and was shocked how great they look and how much tissue I have. I'm so glad I made the drive to Dallas with dr. Melmed. He was great and everybody at the surgery center too! I'm on my way home and with take pictures and post in the next couple of days. So glad I did this and never have to look back again.

I added some photos. Still very pleased with the result and looks like they will improve even more. The left boob is bigger than the right but they were like that before the surgery and doesn't really bother me. The only thing that bothers me is when I take a shower the little heart stickers get wet and then I can see my stitches. I know that they will go away but I just get sad seeing what I have done to my body. All in all I am so happy with my decision!

Here is 2 weeks not much change but I will be taking a picture weekly till 6 weeks. Going to start massaging this weekend to see if anything changes.