Breast Implant Removal: Stories

I too, have been stalking this website for many months now. My story begins in TX where 15 years ago I had saline implants below the muscle placed. At that time, I had felt self-conscious and "inadequate" due to my smaller breasts. I felt like I was incomplete and in my mid 20s, found a surgeon and had the BA. I had always been very sensitive about the topic, so only a few friends and my parents even knew about it. I went from a 34 A to smaller 34 C.
Fast forward 9 years later and I am married and looking forward to the birth of my daughter. I struggled to breast feed her and then figured out with the 2nd daughter that the one breast with mild capsular contracture had a decreased let down response. I finally figured out a technique with my lactation consultant, but it was a ton of extra work-not the easy "bonding" experience with my then baby I had hoped for.
I'm now 40 years old, parts of my body are getting older, but I have the breasts of a 25 y.o.! They don't fit with my body, my personality or my life's values and I am now even more self conscious about being "found out" and avoid bathing suit opportunities (back to where I started!). I also am now the mother of 2 young girls and I want to be a better role model for my girls. They are a good motivation! :)
I'm in the medical field and contacted my PCP who CC'd me on an email to the head breast PS at my hospital. He gave me the name of another PS at a practice outside my hospital system and the consult went pretty well (was expecting the worst). Looking at removing both implants, no capsulectomy (scar tissue is fairly thin to the left CC) and no lift-I feel like I've tortured my breasts enough already and a little 40 y.o. sag is not the end of the world! I also had my first mammogram post BA. For those of you considering removal, a mammogram with implants is VERY uncomfortable-I was so sure they would pop during the procedure with all the extra views they had to do. And now I will have to do this every year (recommended after 40)?!
Do I regret having them done originally-no, but they are not what I want now in my life and I wish I had been more informed of the long-term issues/conflicts with BA. I'm waiting for the final quote and then will schedule surgery date and post pics. This website has given me the reassurance and the confidence to move forward with things...thanks!

One of my big anxieties is my husband-he met me post implants & his previous girlfriends were aways busty. He is going along with it, but isn't exactly excited-not sure if it is because of smaller breasts or the expense. Time will tell...
I'm beginning to get really nervous about the clothes-will I still be able to wear things that flatter my "real" figure? I'm amazed & saddened at how many women on this website were teased about their small chest growing up-you rarely hear of boys or men being teased for their small penis (or dare make fun of themselves). I hope my girls will be tougher & smarter...

I had a follow-up/pre-surgery consult with my PS today. I have to say, I like him even better now that at the first visit. He came highly recommended and seems to know the procedure well (thanks for all your education, ladies!). Reassuring, because as a nurse, I had my own set of questions :)
Shared some of the visit details with my husband this PM and was a little disappointed that he didn't show more interest. I am getting really nervous about the amount of breast tissue that will be left and will I be able to pull this off without completely changing my wardrobe or having to come clean to with co-workers (where I spend most of my time outside of family). It will be what it will be...
Thank you to all the women who have so bravely shared their stories, their triumphs and their sorrows. I will be closely checking in to the website as the time draws closer.

It's done! What a mix of emotions over the last few days-less anxious about the implants & more about the removal. came across some other Websites about breast implant complications which was pretty scary. It should have reassured me that I was doing the right thing, but it also made me more worried about the surgery.
I had propofol for induction & then gas to keep me under. Felt some burning for a bit, but then took a Percocet & seems more dull now. I'm disappointed about the lack of breast tissue, but will need to keep thinking positive.
Just relaxing & taking it easy until my kids come home w/ hubby. I made it!

I finally know what was used for implants (didn't give me a card 15 years ago). McGhan, 230 ml overfilled to probably ~260+. I'm a nurse, so I'm kind of curious & will drain out my little "souvenir."

Help! I am having some "buyer remorse." I am definitely on a roller coaster of emotions. I was SOOO excited about getting the explant done and getting rid of these foreign objects, then terrified right before and now disappointed with the lack of breast tissue. I am so afraid of this not being a subtle change and having to explain to co-workers, etc. what I have done.
I know in my head I have done the right thing, but I think my heart is taking a little longer. I see my husband and kids having to juggle things around me which doesn't help with the guilt factor. I pray that the fluff fairy does visit me and that I slowly find more acceptance with my decision.

72 hours post explant-very little soreness (primarily in the AM), so just taking Tylenol as needed & Percocet before bed (might as well use them up!). Going out to run some easy errands & back to work in 2 days.
Hubby checked in w/me last night-had a little cry. I had to explain to him that I have gone from a C to an A cup-very little weight gain since pre-implants. I have a sis in law w/cancer, so I'm trying to keep everything in perspective. This was for my health & the self-esteem of my daughters. Used the time off to get taxes done. Yippee!!

Thank you to all the wonderful feedback-I'm grateful I am not the only one going through this :). I'm on Day 5, no pain issues & really recovering quite well. I wish what I saw in the mirror was the same as what I see in the picture.
I went back to work today in my tight jogging bra & ace wrap. I haven't really noticed any swelling (I've been pretty faithful w/the regimen) & trying to limit upper extremity movement. It looks like the skin has retracted some, so a little less droopy, but I have completely lost the upper breast volume. I'm going to go for an official measurement in a few weeks & plan on spending some decent $ on good bras. The emotional recovery is definitely a bit slower...

One week update-I'll keep this short as my kids are home. I'm faithfully wearing my jog bra (with some padding) & Ace bandage. Feeling really good w/no pain & slightly sore in AM (often felt that way w/implants) but resolves without intervention. I'm having quite a bit of difficult w/the transient wardrobe (completely flattened out w/bandage), but trying to keep focused on one day at a time. I even tried on one of my old bras to imagine what I would need with my "new size." A little disappointed, but not as much as previously.
Amazing all the great resources out there nowadays! I saw links from this website for http://www.shop.ittybittybra.com/
With lots of great options. I will try to post useful info as I come across it.
PS-I tried the bounce test earlier-I really jiggle now when I jump-they look REAL!!

Hi everyone, I am waiting to update my my "worth it" status after I am out of compression & a little further along. It is tough going back to small breasted, but it will be easier to adjust when I can wear a real bra & have hubby's feedback (post explant & period now :)
One thing I am noticing is increased sensation or awareness-I almost feel like a frequent, mild let-down reflex from breast feeding. Anyone else relate? I am day 11-I feel like I could go out for a jog, but this is a good reminder that there is till some healing to take place & still laying low (except for work & a few errands). I see PS next week for 2-wk check-up. Interesting...

I am SOOOO excited! I went for a shopping trip & it went REALLY well! I went in armed w/new shopping advice-as someone had quoted from "What Not to Wear"-more important to "find clothes that flatter your body vs. your body flattering the clothes." So I did it :)
I went in looking for tops that had ruffles or volume at the bust (including pockets). I began to notice my slender long neck & narrow waist-not surgically enhanced! I like clothes, but not shopping, so I tend to do a lot of on-line shopping & realized that trying them on (in bulk) makes a huge difference. I usually wear a medium, but the smalls fit better-as well as across the shoulders, etc. I probably will be wearing things that actually FIT better. I'm sure this is the same as my large-busted explant friends who spent years "hiding" their chest.
I tried them on minus the bra to make sure they looked OK-I figured they could only look better. I did buy 1 push-up 34 A bra that helped when I put my tight fitting sweater back on. My handfuls jogging bras arrived & they look great! All very reassuring now that I am a smaller size-options are good!!
I highly recommend a wardrobe "reassessment" post explant. I went to Kohls as I intended to buy in bulk-had no idea you can spend >$300 there! Investment in my explant confidence :)

What a journey! What an eventful 6 weeks-surgery, death in the family, family trip...I need to catch my breath.

CONs to Explant:
1) Adjusting to changing body image. I wasn't prepared for how little tissue I would have and the concavity of my upper breasts (found out after it was d/t fat atrophy from the saline implants-ugh!!).
2) Guilt and anger that if I had left my breasts alone, they actually might have been bigger on their own
3) Getting over disappointment and moving forward

PROs to Explant:
1) I'm free! No more worrying about people realizing I have implants and worrying about it every time someone hugs me, hug my kids, touch my chest, etc.
2) No more worries about them accidentally deflating at an inopportune time
3) No more worries about the trauma of mammograms
4) I now know what MY breasts feel like-wasn't always sure with the implants
5) After feeling a bit self-conscious, sex is great! Skin on skin minus the chest bags feels AWESOME!

Since I obviously didn't come to terms with body image before implants, I've started repeating a mantra every time I start to have negative thoughts..."I'm healthy, I'm feminine, I'm beautiful..." etc. I'm getting there, and I don't have to worry now what kind of role model I will be someday when my girls are older.
In the beginning, I needed this website every day, but I'm doing better now. It is reassuring to know that I am not alone.
Good luck to my explant sisters-it is worth the ride :)