Breast Implant Removal: Stories

Hello to all.... I am thinking about removing my implants after 11-years. I am so glad I found this site, I wouldn't of never considered it otherwise. I was implanted with saline implants over the muscle. I was a nice 34B and despite my request for a small C; I ended up with a D. At the time I had the extra money and didn't really think it through. I was so unhappy right after surgery they were so HUGE and felt like two hard balls inside of me and still do. I am a small lady at 5'3 and 115 at the time so I always felt a little awkward. I got used to them over time and got to like them. I guess we all adjust to changes.... I did consult with my doctor and expressed my concerns but he simply dismissed them. I consulted with other but all assured me I would have terrible results and I would not be happy. This was all back in 2003 -2005.

Here I am 11-years later and my life has changed considerably. I have had two babies and nursed both. I am a super busy and active mom and I feel that my boobs are too huge. I am always trying to wear things that aren't too revealing or show the size of my breast. I was never unhappy with my size. I wish I would have taken the time to think about it.... But I guess we all do thinks we regret in the future.

The reason I started this whole search is due to a burning sensation and pain on my right breast. I figure it is time to replace my 11 year old implants. My doctor tells me I don't have much breast tissue and I will look deflated and flat. He says I should get a lift and smaller implant put in under the muscle. Maybe he is right and I will look horrible but I will never know what could have been unless I try. I have decided to take them out and be free of this bags! I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. I hope The Lord hears my prayers for no complications and good results.....

I will post photos soon.

Surgery is scheduled for first week of Nov. I sure hope I am doing the right thing.... I am really worried about the outcome being that my implants are over the muscle and how long I have had them. I have posted a couple of photos. Will post more pics after the surgery. Thank you to everyone who has posted on this website it has help me out a lot in making my decision.

Surgery is scheduled for October 24th. I am really excited about being natural again! I am concerned however about removal. My ps wants to use local and no drains. I have also read about enbloc and not sure if removing my capsule is necessary to have better results??? So much to think about and consider.

Gosh....I am so nervous!!!! I want to be smaller as I feel very top heavy for my heigh & weight (125 pounds currently and 5'3) but everywhere I look I see women with big perky boobs. Will I miss having them??? I hope not given i have wanted to be smaller for a very long time. I wish there was a way to still have volume with my small breast. :) I guess VS push up bra will be my new BFF. Seven days to go!

Two days to go! As time passes I am more and more excited about the prospect of being able to have proportionate breast. I am a little afraid about going local but confident that for me it is the best move given the risk of general anesthesia. I am also having a simple removal not removing the capsule as mine is very thin. I am still afraid of the final results given it will be out of my control or the ps's. it seems that every women's body reacts different to removal just hope mine is forgiving. I am also hopeful to return to my daily activities quickly, I don't have the time to rest. Lol...

The more I think about it.... I wonder why we are not all informed at the time of implantation that we will "NEVER" be the same. Sure we will age, have children, nurse and naturally sag but it is nothing like the damage an implant causes. Risk, cost, etc., should be the first thing our ps's tells us when looking to get bigger breast. I would have gone home and seriously thought about it before going through with it or not, who knows? When you are young one doesn't really think of the consequences. Anyway, I am babbling. The point is, I would love for our younger generation to make better informed decisions when it comes to plastic surgery.

Thank you all ladies, your post and pictures have given me the courage as well as realistic expectations. Hugs & Kisses to all of you very strong beautiful women!

Surgery went well. Fast and little pain. My PS was fantastic. Very understanding and caring. Unfortunately I did not have the results some of you lovely ladies have had. I am so depress.... I am not sure this was the right move???? Sure I was really big but not deformed. :( My breast have caved in and I am now the size of a two-year-old boy, which wouldn't be so bad if I weren't caved in and wrinkle. The top of my breast have a life of their own. I haven't stopped crying but I know I shouldn't be so vain. I know that there's women out there with worst problems and I should feel blessed that I am healthy. The pro is that I feel much lighter. the cons are that My breast will NEVER be the same as before implants. I am simply one of those women that didn't do so well with implants. This has change my life forever.... I simply wish I had know then what I know now...implants are a life time commitment for some of us women. I am not sure I can live with my results. Please don't let this discourage anyone considering implants. Everyone has different results. :) I am not sure I am ready to post pics as I look terrible and this would simply confirm what my eyes are seeing. :(

I meant women considering explantation. The drugs are still kicking in.

P.S. I had such high hopes for my breast. :(

Thank you all you fabulous ladies for being so understanding, encouraging and gentle with my feelings. I have not been able to sleep a wink, combination of tummy troubles from when I came home from surgery I was so hungry I must have eaten my whole fridge. Ha! And of course no changes to my appearance. I know it takes time but I feel that I have butcher myself. I don't know what could I have done different???? Should I have removed the capsule? Is there something my doctor needed to do to better my chances? I simply can't see this getting any better. How? The caved in part latterly does not have any tissue it is like the top of my boobie is being eaten by my lower half. :( You can see the deformity through my shirt. I don't even have a way to hide it. Where I live it is hot and humid, jackets are not an option. I am an emotional mess.... BTW, thank you all for the nice comments about my skin. Like you ladies said, the bottom is fine it is simply the empty pocket left that I am terrified of - I feel like A freak show. :( Sorrry I am venting.... I have no one to talk to.

P.s. I looked up that website with MsHayes but I don't see her pic.

I feel much better today. I am no longer crying or angry with my decision to explant. I have decided to give my body time to heal before making drastic decisions. I am not liking the recovery period. I was told this would be a simple recovery. At the moment my breast are in a lot of pain and I feel a constant burning weird sensation. I am also very tired and weak. Has anyone experience the weird sensations in their breast after removal?

I am also on a special diet that will help with recovery. I got the idea from the livestrong.com website. It gives you a list of foods that will help with elasticity of your skin. Basically all healthy fruits and veggies. Yum!

As for my breast, to be honest, I have not seen much improvement but will keep waiting for that "fluffing fairy". :)

Thank you all for all your support and kind words! Couldn't do this without you ladies. Hugs & Kisses!

P.S. I will update my photos in a few weeks.

Thank you ladies for giving me hope! I will say that I am an emotional mess. My breast have improved a tiny bit and I like the feeling of not having implants. However, I miss having an actual bra size and pretty breast. I have the cup size of my former breast but zero volume. My breast are also still caved and seeing myself in the mirror is very hard. I refuse to let my husband see my breast and no longer feel sexy. I feel like damaged goods. I have good days and bad. Today is a bad day.I keep asking myself if this is really what I wanted? I wish I could be less vain and live with my results but I am just not sure I can. I wish I was as brave as other women on this site. you ladies ROCK! I am going to wait at least until after the holidays and I may consider a smaller implant.

I can't stop thinking of how women who have had cancer and breast issues deal with it??? My heart goes out to these ladies. I plan on getting more involved in anything to help Women with breast cancer, research, etc...

Sorry I am not as optimistic. Maybe with time....

P.S. I have very hard lumps under my incision. I sure hope this is normal. :(

To those of you ladies who are having my bra problem. Cup size is perfect but there's not enough breast to fill it. I went to Target and found this bra that fits perfect! I will post the pic. Hugs & kisses!

Today is my third week since my explantation. Things have changed and continue to change daily. My breast seems to be improving but still have indentations from the implant. My breast are wide but hopefully that will sort itself with time. Overall, I am happy without implants but not sure what I will do in the future. For now, I am going to give my body time to heal. I feel really great in some clothes but others are simply depressing. The bra issue continues to annoy me but I guess it doesn't matter as I have to wear a fitted sports bra for a while. I am doing everything to try to promote breast tissue healing, changed my diet, hydrate, massage and fitted sports bra. I hope that with time and prayers I will not need the small implant. Thank you to all the ladies who have suggested that I wait and who gave me hope, I would have been back at my ps's the next day if it weren't for you all.... Xoxoxo

It has been almost six months and let me tell you ladies it has been an emotional journey but with a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen my body recover in ways that amaze me. I still to this day feel weird sensations in my breast and know that I am still recovering and have yet more healing to do. I can't wait to see my lovely little breast at the one year mark. I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin. I love not feeling fake. I also like the idea of no more Breast surgeries. I feel healthy and walk with my chin up. I feel more proportionate.

I still have nothing against implants they were simply "not me" at all.

The weird part is that I think implants are out of style. More and more women are opting to embrace their natural gorgeous selves, I admire that!