POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
My First Consultation with a PS - New Jersey, NJ
ORIGINAL POST
I have been thinking on removal since the day...
$2,000
I have been thinking on removal since the day after my implant surgery. The day after my surgery I woke up with the worst pain I had ever felt and thinking what a huge mistake I had made. The fear of surgery, the fear of pain and the expense kept me from taking these things out of my body all this time, but I knew that one day I would put my 'big girl panties' on and I would have them removed.
My hand was forced a couple of weeks ago. While taking a shower, I noticed that on my right breast I was back to a size 32A, what I was before my implant surgery. I felt happy, sad, and scared all at the same time. I have to admit, I liked the way I filled my dresses, blouses and swimsuits. there were times when I was very proud of my breasts. The job that the ps had done on me was beyond my expectations. I looked great, felt sexy and very womanly. The problem was that I knew one day they would need to be replaced or removed (that meant surgery), they were a problem to sleep with and they interfered with my mammograms and I have never been able to go bra-less, just a t-shirt in public again. I won't have the implants replaced, I feel that I'm done with that part of my life and I'm ready to go forward with out them.
So now I have an appointment with a local ps who turned out to be sort of a celebrity in my town. I want to listen to his methods and plans. Then I have another appointment to see another ps, I'll listen to him as well. I want to see at least 3 different ps and then make my decision, since after reading around this site I've discovered that plastic surgeons have and/or prefer different ways at performing these surgeries. My goal is to find the one that can do the job, do it well, doesn't charge more than he needs to and makes me happy, bottom line.
So, I'll keep you posted, as soon as I know more, I'll say more. So far, I'm just praying that who ever I choose does a good job because I'm no picnic. If I'm not happy, I will allow NO ONE to be happy LOL :O)
bebesanz's provider
Replies (29)
April 5, 2013
Good for you, bebe! Sounds like you and I are in a similar place. My consultation is scheduled for next Friday and I cannot wait to find out more. I know you'll find this forum to be an excellent source of support to you. The women have been amazingly supportive of me and everyone else!
April 8, 2013
Good luck to you too. Are u going to get smaller implants?
What are u undecided about?? Just be sure u have a Board Certified ps, write down all your questions so u r prepared.
And share with us if u still r undecided. God Bless
Angel face1
April 8, 2013
Hi Angel--I was undecided when I first joined this community but am definitely "decided" now to get them out. The women on this site have been amazingly supportive and the information I have learned has been crucial to my decision making. Can't wait to see my PS on Friday and get scheduled ASAP!
April 8, 2013
Your going to be fine and so relieved.
Talk to your PS about reconstruction with your own fat cells..I wish you much happiness and feel secure with your decision. Remember to go with
questions written on paper, start doing them today.. God Bless, he'll be with you if your a Believer...Lv Angelface1
April 9, 2013
Thanks Angelface! I definitely have lots of questions for Dr. Melmed and can't wait to learn more about the process with him.
April 5, 2013
Good luck ladies! I went on four consults. Two strongly advised I should replace the implants or I wouldn't be happy. My next two, were women P.S.'s and were very open and understanding of what "I" wanted. Maybe it's like having a female gynecologist. They just "get it"! Ha!
So, I made my choice and having explant surgery on 4/26!
Stay strong, believe in yourself and your own choices.
April 8, 2013
My breasts are so big that after the implants r removed, I'll probably have plenty of tissue and fat to make natural ones.:0). I'm going to request lipo suction on my love handles to fill my new breasts. Have you heard of this being done before??? Well I have a great ps who I hope can do it. My appt is in 2 weeks when I have my consultation, so I'll find out then..
Good hearing from u..keep in touch.
Angelface1
April 8, 2013
I have hear of the fat replacement to the buttocks, not breasts. What I wonder is, if you lose weight what happens?
April 9, 2013
I'll be in touch after my appt on 4/22 and let u know what my doc says Bye for alittle...Angelface
April 27, 2013
Well, I guess your surgery is over by now...How did it go? Give us an update on
how you are doing and how your feeling...We are here for support and get well wishes...Be in touch "kpett" let us know....
April 7, 2013
I've had my IPs since 1974, and will be seeing a PS in 2 weeks. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. But at age of .77 yrs, they are sagging and NO bra can make me look good in my clothes. I will have them removed and have lipo
suction on my tummy- love handles and have the fat put into my breasts,
Hoping to have smaller and attractive
Natural breasts.
Good luck with your surgery...
April 7, 2013
Hi angelface1, I've had mine since 1981 and getting them out later this month. I have at least one ruptured so I'm having them out because of health concerns. Don't have any issues yet but why ask for trouble. Hope your appointment goes well. Good luck.
April 8, 2013
Hi "special" just me.. All has been good with me since I've had them put in. Never any problems. Just want to down size :0). They are soft and sagging, want my girls to appear up alittle higher and a bit perky. I wish u lots of luck and my prayers will be with you. Jesus is always with us if you believe. Lv angel face
April 27, 2013
thank you for the Good luck wishes....I also wish for you to have successful surgery and a healthy and speedy recovery. Having a ruptured one, does it feel uncomfortable or is it appearance thats upsetting? I am happy to hear you are going
to become "Natural" and be healthy....
Keep us posted on your journey....much blessings for you. angelface
April 7, 2013
I admire your spunk! It will help you in this journey :)
It sounds like since your one is deflated, you do need to make a decision.
You don't mention how long you had the implants-pre/post pregnancies? One of my implants affected breast feeding, so I was crushed when that happened.
You sound smart, so listen to your heart & your logical side & you will do well :)
April 8, 2013
hahahahaha Thanks and yup! Can't drown in a glass of water (mom used to say), you have to look at the good side of things. My implants were in place for almost 19 years +/- No chilbirths, but I do have two furkids (Yorkies) who have used my chest as a trampoline :O)
UPDATED FROM bebesanz
8 days post
I visited with two surgeons and I'm very hesitant....
I visited with two surgeons and I'm very hesitant. The ps who did my implants 19 years ago said he doesn't do removals only replacements. I was happy with his honesty, didn't expect less from him. Okay, my fault, I should have asked that question on the phone.
Second ps shocked me! Since the incision for my implants are in my armpits. The ps said, "I think maybe we can remove the capsule through the same incision." In my state of shock I made something like a choking sound, which embarrassed me, and I asked, "You THINK, MAYBE???"
At the end he corrected himself and said he was sure he could remove the capsule through the same incision under my arm, BUT if he had any problems, he would go in through the nipple. This is a director of surgery, mind you. I don't know what to think.
I have an appointment next week with another ps and things may have not started well already. I was told that a woman would call me shortly to talk financing with me. She took a while to call, but I figure it was okay. After all, I'm sure it doesn't matter much what she has to say, funding will still come out of MY pocket.
This woman did not talk funding with me at all, though. All she wanted to talk about was how I may not be happy with my 'sagging' breasts. She kept on repeating that I may look worse than I do now, my right breast may sag even more! Like somehow, removing my left implant will affect my right breast, "sag it, ripple it and stretch it even more than it is now" according to her. WTH??? How would she know what I look like?
I hit the roof. But I kept my cool (a little bit ;O) I explained to her that I've been living with the result of deflation on my left for over a month and I know what it looks like and it's not so bad that I should be freaking out. I said I know what I want and NO ONE can tell me more about my body and how it bounces back or not than me, thank you very much >:O( And that I will cross that bridge when I get to it, not before, and I will do it alone. I'm athletic and I have plans for my body. If that doesn't work, I'll deal with it.
Her damage control strategy was saying that she deals with a lot of women who don't know how to deal with how they look afterward and she has to help them. That the ps she works for is called the "breast doctor" for a reason, blah, blah, blah. Sounded to me like a desperate, used-car-salesman, cheap-scare-tactic used to manipulate me into replacing my implants $$$$$. Fear is one of the greatest motivator if not THE greatest of all. Maybe she makes a commission if she closes me on a replacement??? Could happen, I know dentist offices that pay the receptionists who double as salespeople.
I was really taken aback by the uncertainty I heard from the director of surgery in my town, my local ps. I was hopeful, since he's affiliated with a great hospital that I trust greatly already and where my surgery would take place :O(
Sorry for being such a pain, (LOL I warned you :O) and thanks for letting me vent. I guess I'm feeling the pressure now.
Second ps shocked me! Since the incision for my implants are in my armpits. The ps said, "I think maybe we can remove the capsule through the same incision." In my state of shock I made something like a choking sound, which embarrassed me, and I asked, "You THINK, MAYBE???"
At the end he corrected himself and said he was sure he could remove the capsule through the same incision under my arm, BUT if he had any problems, he would go in through the nipple. This is a director of surgery, mind you. I don't know what to think.
I have an appointment next week with another ps and things may have not started well already. I was told that a woman would call me shortly to talk financing with me. She took a while to call, but I figure it was okay. After all, I'm sure it doesn't matter much what she has to say, funding will still come out of MY pocket.
This woman did not talk funding with me at all, though. All she wanted to talk about was how I may not be happy with my 'sagging' breasts. She kept on repeating that I may look worse than I do now, my right breast may sag even more! Like somehow, removing my left implant will affect my right breast, "sag it, ripple it and stretch it even more than it is now" according to her. WTH??? How would she know what I look like?
I hit the roof. But I kept my cool (a little bit ;O) I explained to her that I've been living with the result of deflation on my left for over a month and I know what it looks like and it's not so bad that I should be freaking out. I said I know what I want and NO ONE can tell me more about my body and how it bounces back or not than me, thank you very much >:O( And that I will cross that bridge when I get to it, not before, and I will do it alone. I'm athletic and I have plans for my body. If that doesn't work, I'll deal with it.
Her damage control strategy was saying that she deals with a lot of women who don't know how to deal with how they look afterward and she has to help them. That the ps she works for is called the "breast doctor" for a reason, blah, blah, blah. Sounded to me like a desperate, used-car-salesman, cheap-scare-tactic used to manipulate me into replacing my implants $$$$$. Fear is one of the greatest motivator if not THE greatest of all. Maybe she makes a commission if she closes me on a replacement??? Could happen, I know dentist offices that pay the receptionists who double as salespeople.
I was really taken aback by the uncertainty I heard from the director of surgery in my town, my local ps. I was hopeful, since he's affiliated with a great hospital that I trust greatly already and where my surgery would take place :O(
Sorry for being such a pain, (LOL I warned you :O) and thanks for letting me vent. I guess I'm feeling the pressure now.
Replies (12)
April 26, 2013
Geez, after those consultations, I'd cancel with the money-grubbing "breast doctor" and find a new one to schedule with. I agree with you that the surgeon's uncertainty on how he will do the explantation is a bit scary. Did you ask how many he has done, does per year, etc? That really tells the story as far as I'm concerned. There are PSs out there who CAN remove them but haven't done it very often and prefer to replace. There aren't a lot who regularly or frequently do explantations and, therefore, are supportive and understanding.
April 29, 2013
Explanting Texan, I did cancel that appointment today. After reading the comments here, I realized I wasn't touchy, it was the ps who is untrustworthy ;O)
I didn't ask that particular surgeon how many explantings he does a year. I was like a deer caught in the headlights after that "I think maybe" answer from him. I lost my train of thought and after that I was just lost, trying to catch up with my thoughts, which were raising now and my reasoning, which I was beginning to doubt. I was confused. Did I hear him correctly? Is this the ps my primary suggested? Did I get the name wrong? Am I nuts and hearing things????? I was stunt, to say the least. A medical director of surgery, 'thinks maybe' he can do this. What can I expect of regular surgeons? Really, ladies, I thought I had heard it all, I thought I had it all covered up to this point. Not too late, you can still knock me over with a feather because I'm still in shock :O(
April 26, 2013
Oh geez, sorry girl! Welcome to the special hell that is trying to find a PS that will fully support your decision to remove the bags! I know for sure that you can't remove capsules through the trans ax incision. My friend had cc and needed a revision and had to go through the nipple in order to remove the scar tissue. She went on many consults trying to find a PS who could do it through her original incisions, and all said no way because they can't see anything in there. If you are okay with your deflated booby, you will be fine with how they look after explant! That next consult sounds like a waste of time. They are already trying to scare you off with how upset you are going to be! :-/ Good luck with your journey, I'll be following your posts! :-)
April 26, 2013
That is right Girlie!!! No capsulectomy through the armpit - no, no, no! Capsulectomy can actually be a little bit dangerous... When the capsule is adhered to the rib cage there is danger of puncturing a lung. This is why surgeons will often leave parts of the capsule behind, even when the aim is to remove it all. Through the armpit the surgery they would be digging this out basically "blind" and add into that the location of the brachial artery (bleed to death in seconds) and median nerve in the armpit.... No capsulectomy through the armpit! Simple removal through armpit yes, but capsulectomy is a big no for safety. Anyone who says capsulectomy through the armpit is highly suspect, get a 2nd and 3rd opinion.
April 29, 2013
Wow! Thanks NervousGirlie, it did sound weird to me to have the capsules removed through the incision in the armpit :O( But I was sooo hopeful it could be done. Leaving the nipples untouched would have been a God-sent. I see now how the gift I gave myself 19 years ago, just won't stop giving :'0( I had the implants put in through the armpit, though I was told it would hurt more, so that my nipples wouldn't be touched. My friends' nipples never looked the same after surgery (on some of them the nipple turned dark or weird shaped and ugly) and one said she didn't feel a thing anymore in that area of the breast. I'm okay with the deflated look, it doesn't bother me. It's the incision around the nipple that's bugging me now. I did cancel the appointment with the ps whose 'financial person' turned out to be an used car salesman, I lost trust completely. If they're trying to scare me that bad before I set foot through the door, what can I expect once I'm there? Nothing good can come out of that. Thank you for your wishes :O)
April 29, 2013
OMG! LuvRealBoobsInOR, thank you! Phew! Good thing I run this by you ladies. That is one scary surgery. I got the feeling that my left implant is adhered to the rib because it hurts somewhere in the back of the implant. I thought it was normal to have pain that I could never really pinpoint. Sometimes I felt it on the side, sometimes in the back near the spine. I just couldn't figure it out, still can't. So I'm guessing it can't be a simple removal, huh? It's going to have to be a capsulectomy, (removal of the capsule) and it would be better, less risky through the nipple? The ps that said he thinks he can do it through the armpit said that it's best to remove the capsule because it will become like a rock if left in there?
April 29, 2013
No - since you have no existing scars on your breasts I think breast crease is the way to go if you need a capsulectomy. Why open up the nipple incision unless you have them already! IDK about capsules or not... I think depending on the person they could be left in or come out. Find the best surgeon, and once you pick the best surgeon they will outline the type of surgery they recommend. Once you find the surgeon you trust to do the surgery, you have to trust their advise for how they will do it the best for you.
April 27, 2013
Oh girl, don't let them scare you into more implants - it IS a used car sales tactic for $$! I had mine removed after 7 years, I have even breast fed 3 kids, and I think I look stunning without the bags now! Good for you standing up and knowing what you want for your health. Best of luck finding a kind compassionate PS :)
April 29, 2013
You recognize it too, Natural Liv? I guess most of us have been exposed to that tired, worn out used car salesman tactic for $$$ LOL! I guess it doesn't work on some of us, we can see it coming and call its bluff hahhahahahaha That makes me happy :O) Thanks for wishing me luck, it looks like I'm needing it.
April 30, 2013
You will be fine, they just don't want to lose a lifelong implant customer when they could make $5-10,000 every 5-10 years. So sad. You will thank yourself for a wise decision!
April 27, 2013
I'm sure we've all heard the same sorry story from drs. about removal. This site is full of women happy with their decision to get their implants out (me included). Keep listening to your own voice. Most likely when the p.s. realizes you've made up your mind then they'll be supportive.
April 29, 2013
I think you're right, Jo2012, they will have to accept it. But I get scared that it might affect my relationship with the ps, or worse, the outcome of my surgery :-O I hope not.
Thanks for sharing your story so far on RealSelf! Your last line made me laugh. :) Many surgeons will want to replace your implants rather than remove, so be ready for that. And please keep us posted!