Breast Implant Removal: Stories

In 2008 I had a moment of accute low self-esteem. I was a 38DD and had implants put in over the muscle 700CC. As my son would say I looked abnormally huge and my husband would say I had monster boobies.. Not what I was looking for at all, as a matter of fact not really sure what I was looking for? :( Well, yes I do fuller breast on top to match everything on the bottom. I have spent the majority of my life having people ask me if I had fake boobs then after getting them I took greater offense to the question. Still not sure why. In 2010 I noticed my left breast feeling firm and asked my husband if he thought it felt different? He couldn't tell, so I just put it aside and thought it was because my breast were starting to regain feeling. I have always had lumpy breast that would swell and ache with my cycles and that went away after the surgery. Well, over the past two years both breast have become painfull and very firm. My left breast has been rated a #4 capsular contracture and my right #3. At this time I am scared of what Dr. Popowich will find when he gets in there, my breasts feel very hard and lumpy with areas that the implant can be bounced under the skin. When I have a bra on the left implant is about an inch from my colar bone. Did I mention it is very painfull? I am excited to be out of pain, I also have fibromyalgia and I truley beleive it has made the contracture worse although Dr. doesn't agree with me. I am not having a lift any time soon I will just package them in really pretty push-up bras, that I haven't been able to wear since 2008 because the girls have been to big. How in the world does Dolly or Pamala find cute/sexy bras? So, the biggest thing I have learned through this is that we really need to love ourselves and not compare with other women. I breast fed my son for one year, no bottles and he didn't even have food until he was six months old. He has never had an ear infection, strep throat, or anything worse than the common cold. I gave to him and really in the end I looked great never had a complaint from anyone (man). I think that our sosciety has really done women an injustus in thinking that one look or way is attractive. I will take some pictures tomorrow and then after the explant, at regular intervals throughout my recovery and hopefully all will be great.

Well, another day closer and a bit more anxiety of the final result. My husband and I were at dinner last night and he asked how I felt about the surgery,I told him anxious but ok. He hasn't really shared any thoughts with me about how he feels mostly I think he feels like he might say something wrong or hurt my feelings. At this point I guess I am pretty numb on the subject and just want them out. I feel like I made a very bad choice and have no one to blame but me. I suppose that's how life goes and I am really grasping the concept of being healthy from the inside and thankful for what God gives us on the outside. I mean, really to not compare oneself to anyone else. We are all different for a reason and special in every regard. Thank you all for being there in the process of finding myself again.I hope my journey helps you in yours. Have a wonderful weekend :)

Hello, Does anyone have recomendations for creams or magic jells ;) to apply to breasts after explant? something to help rebuild the breast tissue and firmness ect? Thank you

So this morning my husband and I were talking again about my surgery and he said he is looking forward to having my real boobs back. I am shocked considering his coments befor surgery like if you are getting them "big is better". Anyway, I was caught up in memories of the past and he did play, caress and seem to admire them more back then. So, mabey it's like when you finally get what you want, it's not what you wanted after all! He seemed to be excited to go out and by me sexy bras ect.. and honestly I look forward to being able to ware them again. I know I have become very self consciouse and insecure of my looks since having the implants, so having them out will be good although I am sure a big adjustment in how THEY will look post op and for a time afterwards. Time to walk the dog :)

Hello, well my pain has been increasing over the past couple of days :( not sure if it is beacause I stopped taking cymbalta for fibromyalgia pain or the capsular contracture is getting worse? Either way I can't wear a bra at all and that isn't good either big saggy boobs yeah ;(

Hello,
Well I had my preop yesterday Dr.Popowich was very encouroging about the surgery and the outcome. I told him I was worried about the scar and that I might be able to see it standing up, he felt Ihad enough breast tissue that it woun't be visible. I also asked him about how he would position my breast after surgery in the compression bandages. I thought the breast tissue would attach to my chest wall and I wanted to make sure they were positioned evenly. He said the compression bandages are mainly to help with fluid buildup and that he would also put in drains. So the countdown begins.....

Feel your emotions

"The key is to not resist or rebel against emotions or to try to get around them by devising all sorts of tricks; but to accept them directly, as they are."

-- Takahisa Kora

Emotions are energy in motion. They bring us information if we are willing to experience them. Unfortunately, many of us are afraid of the energy of emotions and so we automatically resist them. And when we refuse to experience our emotions, we block them up. They become trapped and that entrapment drains our energy and brings continuing discomfort.

Don't let emotions push you into action or reaction. Just STOP and PAY ATTENTION. Allow them to be and to speak to you. Once they are acknowledged, their energy is released.

"Instead of resisting any emotion, the best way to dispel it is to enter it fully, embrace it and see through your resistance."

-- Deepak Chopra

"We have to become more conscious of our feeling-world. By learning to identify the ‘emotional baggage’ and manage our feeling-world reactions, we can view life based on current information instead of being held captive by our past."

-- Doc Childre

"Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge."

-- Audre Lorde

*** Awareness is the key to all change.

well, I am starting my third day of recovery. My biggerst complait is itchiness I feel like there are buggs rawling around inside the bandages. I still have a little bit of pain/burning when standing lots of pulling from my armpits. and my breasts feel lie they are just hanging there. Monday will not come soon enough thats when hopefully the drains will come out and I will be wearing a sports bra. Oh yeah there is some burning sensation where the drains are. Other than that I am doing fine.

Hello Ladies,
I just got back from Dr.Popowichs drains came out really easy didn't really hurt just felt wierd :) My breast look about the same shape as before implants however they are flatter and slighty wider from armpit to middle of chest. I think once I can wear a bra I will be fine and I really don't think I will have a lift. I am so over surgerys! I found out what all the itchyness was about apparently I am allergic to the drainage tubes, I have blisters were the tubes indented into my sides. So, if you are experiencing that you might have someone put soft cloth under the tubes. I have taken several pictures and will be posting them asap. I have lost some feeling on my left breast at the fullest point so I hope that will come back soon.

Hello again, Well another day of healing done :) yesterday I was doing some feeling around just lightly pressing and moving my breasts a little and WOW there is a spot near my right nipple that is red hot pain must have been a nerve yikes so no more of that for a day or so. I talked to Dr.Popowich about wearing a bra and his thoughts on it. He said regular bras are ok but NO underwires because he doesn't want them rubbing on the insicion. As far as I can tell the insicion is not where the bra sits so I really don't think it would matter. Do any of you ladies have any thoughts? Seems to me if my breasts are nitting back together I would want them in the shape of my bra and not spread out across my chest? Also I still don't feel like the sports bra is supporting me at all, only smashing me down. I still don't have any feeling in the fullness of my left breast and the right only has about 50% feeling. On another note one of my really good friends had a major breast reduction several years ago and had very bad scar tissue develop. She used this method with great results and so I wanted to pass it alon to you all in case it was needed. 1.Castor oil 2.expensive piece of wool or flannel or felt 3.Saturate wool with oil cover with saran wrap, put under heating pad for 30-40 mins a day. 4.Don't use until stitches are out and skin is compleatly closed. apparently this works great for massaging out scar tissue! I hope and pray all is well with everyone :) I have tryed to post more pics but for some reason they are not going to my email? somewhere is cyberspace floats my boobs lol

Hello, Well recovery seems to be going slow.... I am still having a lot of pain like after you workout and sore muscles I guess that makes sence because the capsules were over my chest muscles. Just the weight of my breasts after taking off my sports bra is very painfull as well as walking my dog in a sports bra. I have tried smaller bras but same results I guess I will have to ace bandage myself, however I will wait until Monday to talk with my doctor and see what he says. Another thing that really hurts is if I am w/o sports bra because I have to be able to breath :) and I roll over and my boobs are allowed to free fall omg that hurts. So I am wondering does this sound normal to you ladies who have explanted? I am still very happy I had the surgery and I just found out from my husband he likes it better too, says I look better proportioned lol funny cuz he said if your going to get them go big.. Thanks love :) three years later here I am oh well whats done is done, just would like to heal faster.

Hello, Well I am doing much better and look forward to my second followup with my Doc on the 23rd. I am still getting used to the flattness on top of my breasts and really feel great to fit into clothes better :) and when I can start my massage sessions again I look forward to laying on my stomach without feeling like I am laying on two bolders. Awe simple pleasures have a great weekend ladies and hang in there "it's getting better all the time!" as sung by the Beattles :)

Hello, So I had my three weeks follow up today and everything is healing great. I have a hairline scar and internal stitches so that was nice, I can start massaging the scar in another three weeks and wear an underwire bra after the first of the year yahooooo so excited about that. Dr. Pop said light massage on the breasts is fine but not necassary, I am feeling better everyday, tenderness is normal I just can't wait for a sexy new bra. Still very happy I did the explant :)

Hello, well it has been a great ride with all of you ladies thank you for your support . I am doing well I can now wear an underwire bra with comfort and I am very happy with the results.

Hello all,
Sorry I haven't written in a while, it has been one day short of three months since my explant. There is still a small amount of pain mostly tenderness and some sharp I think nerve pains. I have gotten a little bit smaller too and I still don't walk around in front of my husband :( I am still getting used to the look and trying to feel sexy. Money is tight so I haven't been able to buy any new bras and am wearing sports bras that are NOT sexy. I am still very thankful for the outcome that I have. My camera broke so no new pictures till I get a new one. Life is good and God is great, happy new year and blessings to all.