POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Removal After 13 Years on 3/20/3013 at Kaiser Los Angeles
ORIGINAL POST
As a way of paying it forward and thanking the...
polojessMarch 21, 2013
WORTH IT$1,600
As a way of paying it forward and thanking the women who have posted, here is my story for future women. I have had saline implants done by Dr. Stuart Linder for 13 years(which I loved) but have had 3 severe bouts of capsular contracture that just keeps coming back, despite multiple revisions and replacements, so the implants are coming out! No lift yet, as I want more kids first.
I was a 36AA-A prior to full 36C implants with 360ccs. For reference, I am 5'9" and 150 pounds with a very broad upper body. I had the implants removed by Dr. DJ Lee at Kaiser in Los Angeles. The whole procedure took about 2 hrs as I had thick capsules on both breasts and contracture of the right breast. I have drains in now and feel pretty good for only 24 hrs out. My breasts don't look very pretty, as the nipple has puckered and inverted, but my doctor says it should take care of itself in time...fingers crossed. Here are some pics of the cc and the post-op boobies! (Note: I have a large scar on my left upper chest from a childhood burn)
Replies (20)
March 22, 2013
Thank you for sharing your story. From what I have seen and heard your breasts will get better over time...referred to as fluffing. With all the problems you have had it must be a relief to get them out. I have had silicone implants for almost 30 years and at 56 am ready for my surgery on April 12th. I have pain in my right breast and can't wait for relief. Take care of yourself and thank you again for sharing your story.
March 25, 2013
Good luck w/ your surgery. You will be not regret having your implants removed and feeling normal & free again!
Had mine out Feb. 4 after 30 yrs at age 59. One had ruptured and once had contracture (2-3 times). The pain and hardness was annoying at first then became miserable at worst. After the rupture, began feeling like I was wearing a weighted vest 24-7. The "fluffing" takes time but your smaller
breasts do fill out. I see the changes weekly. both nipples initially inverted post-surgery but one has returned. waiting on the other. Slow poke! Drains were an inconvenience but had then in only a week.
Again, wishing you the best outcome!
March 23, 2013
Thank you for sharing your story. Your breasts should fluff up nicely. I had silicone implants for 30 years and don't regret having them out. The body has a way of putting things back to the way the should be. Take care of yourself, eat right, and get alot of rest and you will be surpised how you will look at your 6 month mark.
March 23, 2013
Congratulations on your explant! I just explanted with 1 sided Capsular Contracture as well. After having CC, amazing how they get symmetrical again with an explant, isn't it? Thank you for posting your story and pictures. Breast wishes for your recovery! :)
UPDATED FROM polojess
Two weeks post-op: I had the drains removed on...
polojessApril 3, 2013
Two weeks post-op:
I had the drains removed on the 6th day after surgery. It was pretty painless, just an odd feeling to have 12 inches of tube uncoiled from each breast! I immediately went home and tried on a bunch of shirts which was a huge mistake because I was SO sore and in pain the next day from overusing the muscles. I actually had to stay home from work because of the pain and soreness, so be careful. The drains were good for me because during that week I drained probably 500-750ml of liquid from each breast...that's like a bottle of wine worth of liquid from each boob! At my two week post-op appt they also drained out another 23ml from my left breast(the one with the scar) as it has been more swollen. You can tell it has more fluid in it because it's a bit fuller and perkier than the right breast. The right breast skin was also more stretched out due to the cc, and you can tell it's going to take some time to firm up. Overall, pain is getting better and I am still wearing soft bras with pads. Not super loving how they look yet, but I suppose they are slowly healing up. I tried going for a run today and the jiggling was pretty uncomfortable, so I may wait a little longer before I resume full on workouts. Also, I am a skincare fanatic, so I have been applying a firming serum called Firmalift to my breasts twice a day along with CeraVe nighttime moisturizer...It can't hurt right? Here's to fast healing!
I had the drains removed on the 6th day after surgery. It was pretty painless, just an odd feeling to have 12 inches of tube uncoiled from each breast! I immediately went home and tried on a bunch of shirts which was a huge mistake because I was SO sore and in pain the next day from overusing the muscles. I actually had to stay home from work because of the pain and soreness, so be careful. The drains were good for me because during that week I drained probably 500-750ml of liquid from each breast...that's like a bottle of wine worth of liquid from each boob! At my two week post-op appt they also drained out another 23ml from my left breast(the one with the scar) as it has been more swollen. You can tell it has more fluid in it because it's a bit fuller and perkier than the right breast. The right breast skin was also more stretched out due to the cc, and you can tell it's going to take some time to firm up. Overall, pain is getting better and I am still wearing soft bras with pads. Not super loving how they look yet, but I suppose they are slowly healing up. I tried going for a run today and the jiggling was pretty uncomfortable, so I may wait a little longer before I resume full on workouts. Also, I am a skincare fanatic, so I have been applying a firming serum called Firmalift to my breasts twice a day along with CeraVe nighttime moisturizer...It can't hurt right? Here's to fast healing!
Replies (4)
April 4, 2013
Big changes since your post op pics....I think they will be great when all is said and one! Thanks for sharing your journey...it is so helpful. Take it easy and be patient with your natural self :-)
April 4, 2013
I can't get over how perky your boobs are! They definitely moved up after explant! You look great!!!
April 4, 2013
You look great - thank you for sharing, it all helps. Pamper yourself, you deserve it.
April 4, 2013
Wow, pj, your boobs have really tightened up! I'm not sure your nips could get any perkier! I do wonder why the drains are so long when they are so close to the boobs? I really don't understand why they put so much tubing in there! But than goodness you had them because that's a crazy amount of fluid! Hope your discomfort gets better- brave girl to try going for a run so early!
UPDATED FROM polojess
Quick update for the 4 week anniversary! Pain and...
polojessApril 17, 2013
Quick update for the 4 week anniversary! Pain and swelling has gone down a lot, though still some soreness in the sides of my breasts about 6 inches below my armpits, when I raise my arms over my head...maybe muscle just still reattaching? Went for a couple runs with no pain, however, went bra and bathing suit shopping which was very painful! I love not having the implants, but man am I flat chested! 36A is not an easy size to find. Not to mention the stretched out skin on the tops and sides of my breasts do not look great in a bikini top, but hopefully it will tighten up by summer, eeks! Still having some nipple pulling but trying to massage as much as possible. Also still waiting on the fluff fairy, but seeing as they just keep getting smaller and smaller, I may be waiting awhile! I'm okay with it though, just happy the huge hard implants are out forever!
Replies (4)
April 17, 2013
Just a thought for you - I have been more comfortable going down 1 band size and up 1 cup size since I explanted. I was always wearing a 36 band size before, but post-explant I have been wearing 34C (I can also fit 36B). My measurements put me on the border of a 34/36 and going down the band size / up cup size has helped me with fitting and finding bras.
April 17, 2013
Thanks for the tip! My biggest problem is that I am very broad, big rib cage, and my breasts are really far apart. Seems any A cup bra is made for tiny girls whose boobs are only an inch apart!? I will try a B, but I don't even fill an A cup, so might be tough : /
Thank you so much for sharing! Your capsular contracture looks really painful. I'm sorry you had to go through all that.
I just know your review is going to help countless other ladies, so once again, thanks for taking the time to post this.
Will be interesting to see how your breasts fluff out over time. I do hope you'll keep us posted.