POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Stringalong....Explant and Lift! - Scottsdale, AZ
ORIGINAL POST
Hi all! I am 64 years old, married, with grown...
WORTH IT$10,000
Hi all! I am 64 years old, married, with grown sons. I have had silicone implants for almost 23 years now. They became hard quite awhile ago and I have been unhappy with them for a long time. I was always very small breasted and thought implants would make me feel better about myself. I never really felt comfortable with them, however. I lost some sensation in the breasts after the implant surgery. I could no longer lay on my stomach comfortably. Mammograms were terribly painful, and it was embarrassing to hug someone because I was sure they could feel "the rocks"! I have really been helped by this site and all of your personal experiences. I have had my first appointment with my PS and have set my surgery date for July 31. The plan is to have them removed and to have a lift. I am EXTREMELY nervous and wake up at night with stressful thoughts. You all have given me the strength to do this!! I will post pictures down the road. Thank you, brave ladies!!
Stringalong's provider
UPDATED FROM Stringalong
Waiting to be natural again!!
Hello again, ladies! This site is amazing. I can't believe what a wonderful support system you all offer. I continue to read reviews and look at pictures and I feel good about my decision to get the rocks out!! My main concern, of course, is how it is going to look afterwards. Since I decided to go with getting a lift, I know I will have to deal with quite a bit of scaring. Just hope it has a positive end result!! I am actually looking forward to being small again!! These never felt right for me. I am going to post some pictures of how I look now. The last one is lying down. By the way, I have textured silicon implants. The left is 270 cc and the right is 240 cc. The PS said he was sure they had leaked based on how old they are and how hard they are encapsulated.
Replies (10)
May 24, 2013
You will have a great result, especially with a lift. I am 4 years older than you and although my budget did not allow for a lift, I am still so happy that I had those silicone bags taken out! You have such a great little figure - you have nothing to worry about; it will be a great success!
May 24, 2013
Thank you Back To Just Me!! I think you look like you are healing very well!! Your 4 week post op picture shows such improvement!! I was really afraid that, for me without a lift, my boobies would be totally saggy and empty! I was only a 34 AA-A to begin with, and that was after I had 4 kids!! You have such a great look now without those things!!! Congrats!!
May 24, 2013
I am 6 weeks post op and feel great and am so happy that I did the explant with lift. I had my implants for almost 30 years and was very saggy with them. You can view my pics on my post. Whatever you decide you will do great. The body heals amazingly well. I love how soft my breasts are now. I am so glad you found this forum. It was a godsend to me and so many women. Good luck to you.
May 24, 2013
Thank you so much, Just Want To Be Me, for writing. I think you look amazing!! It is really helpful to see how others look, especially after having a lift with the ex-plant. You are very lucky to still have very substantial boobies! I hope I have something in there once the rocks are out. Haha! You had your implants in even longer than me. Have you had any problems since the surgery? You look like you are healing so well. Thanks so much for your support!
May 25, 2013
Hey Violingal,
The amount of scarring really depends on the type of lift you have. I had an internal lift so no more scarring than what it took to get the implants out? :-)
May 25, 2013
Thanks, Explanting Texan! I just read your review and all you have gone through to get to this point. I really hope you are recovering from your surgery and feeling better. I think you look terrific from your pictures. I have never even heard of an internal lift! My PS certainly didn't mention that as an option! I have an appointment on June 6 so I am going to talk to him about it. We are going to be out of town after that until the just 2 days before my surgery, which is July 30. Very anxious to hear what he says! Take care and heal fast. xoxo
May 25, 2013
Thanks so much, ViolinGal! I'm doing well and hoping the hematoma gets resolved soon. I'm very pleased with the outcome and know that my breasts will look wonderful! Do discuss the type of lift that will be done. As with many procedures, surgeons generally have a way that they prefer to do procedures. So, it may be that the surgeon you've selected does not do the type of lift that Dr. Melmed does. Let me know what you find out!!
May 25, 2013
Hi Violingal, I am 58 years old, had my silicone implants, under muscle, for almost 25 years. I had my explant and full lift four weeks ago. I am thrilled with the results and I think you will be too! My PS did an excellent job with my scars. I'm sure in six months to a year from now they will not be bothersome at all. I never did post pictures, but I looked much the same as you, although I'm probably a bit heavier. I truly could not be happier with my results, and while my breasts won't be perfect, it is SUCH an improvement and it's not like I'm going to be showing anyone but my husband anyway. He thinks they are awesome by the way. I look at least 10 lbs thinner. :)
May 25, 2013
CONGRATS!! I too, have had no pics up either, but I do appreciate the braveness and techy ness of the ones who have! Happy you are Happy! It is amazing to finally be implant free, and I too, not perfect, but that's just fine with me! Happy to be free of the fake ness! aka lil Hoots
May 25, 2013
Hi fauxnomo! Thank you for your encouraging words. I am so happy for you and your excellent results. I , too, am so very fortunate to have a loving husband that will love me "no matter what"! He never pushed me to have these in the first place, but went along because he thought it was what I wanted to feel better about myself. Keep healing and stay well! xoxo
UPDATED FROM Stringalong
Some concerns....
Hi ladies!! I have been reading some of the questions and doctors answers on this site about whether a lift should be done at the same time as an implant removal. Several doctors thought it was better to do the lift at a later surgery, especially if the implants are over the muscle, which mine are. From what I understand, that makes the blood supply to the nipple not as good, which could cause problems with healing after the lift is done. It really kind of scared me. My PO thinks it can be done at the same time. Any thoughts on this or personal experiences? Thanks!
Replies (13)
May 27, 2013
Hi ViolinGal. I'm having an explant and internal lift at the same time (on 5/30). I've heard that some surgeons want patients to wait 6 months after the explant to have a lift done. I think that my surgeon, Dr. Melmed, almost always does it at the same time as the explant. If your PS recommends doing both procedures at the same time, then I'd rest easy with the decision.
May 28, 2013
Hi want2bme. Thanks for writing. You must be so excited and nervous with your surgery so soon. I will be so anxious to hear how it goes. I wish mine was sooner but I have to wait until the end of July. The good thing is that it gives me more time to read and compare stories of others, which is so helpful. I wish you the best and will be thinking about you on the 30th! xoxo
May 28, 2013
Hi - never posted anything on one of these boards before....only read them. I am a Breast Cancer Survivor...going on 4 years now. I found out that I had BC in 02/09 at the age of 42. After several surgeries, I had 36 radiation treatments and several other numerous surgeries due to complications. I feel that I will never look or feel the same ever again.....so unattractive. Anyway, I got implants in 12/09, prob an emotional decision looking back on it, and I wish I hadn't done it. I want to have them removed now but, am scared that I will come out looking even worse than I do now; however, I know that I can't leave these things in forever anyway. Even with the implants, my breasts have never looked the same and they look different they tell me because of the radiation that I had on one side. I still would like to have them out and just have the other breast reduced to match my post-cancer breast. Has anyone had any experience with this???? Feeling scared and lost.....dixieaccent
May 28, 2013
Hi Dixieaccent. I can only imagine all you have gone through as a Breast Cancer Survivor. You sound like a very strong woman. I think you should write a review on this site. That way women who have, or are, going through what you have, can offer support and possibly some advice. I know I was never happy or comfortable with my implants. If they don't feel right to you, you should definitely look into having them removed. And you are right, they certainly don't last a lifetime, which means once you have them, you eventually will HAVE to have them removed. From all the reviews I have read, women across the board are happier once they get these things out!! Good luck to you!!
May 28, 2013
Hi ViolinGal! Thanks so much for your input. You are prob right about sharing my experiences through this journey, as you can imagine, I have learned a great deal. Since I had Cancer, I have had at least 3 friends with Cancer - 2 of them Breast Cancer. We are all friends on FB and I have known them all of my life. I immediately contacted them and tried to tell them as much as I possibly could about the whole situation. The very best advice I can give, without particular circumstances, is to be YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!! You have to fight for yourself - believe me......there is no shortage of people with Cancer. When I go for a check-up at my Cancer Center, I have to plan on being there for at least half a day and the entire place is full!! It is very sad and I realize how fortunate and blessed I am to still be here 4 years later with no sign of the horrible disease returning. Thanks for your kind words. Best to you
May 28, 2013
Hi violinGal I am 57 years old and I had mine for 27 years on top of the muscle. My first ps told me that I would need a lift. the second ps said I may not need a lift and he would want me to wait 6 months to be more accurate. He said it is amazing how well breast tissue can bounce back and why do a surgery if not needed. I was very concerned about healing and loss of sensation to nipple. I decided to wait had nothing to lose. I am so glad that I waited because at the 4 week post op he said I would not need a lift. The tissue still had a lot of elasticity and it bounced back up. I was pleasantly surprised. Whatever decision you make will be the right one.
May 28, 2013
Hi Sewhappy. Thanks so much for your info. It really does get confusing when these doctors all seem to have different approaches. I am so happy to hear how well you came out of this without needing a lift. I am still struggling with the decision. All I can go on is that my PS thought I would have the best results doing the lift. Can I ask what size you were before the implants and also how large they were? Just wondering if that makes a difference. Thanks!
May 29, 2013
Hi ViolinGal I was a 34A I had 250cc saline that brought me to a 34 large C. My guess is a lot depends on how big the implants are and did any sagging occur from them. In looking at your pic my breasts with implants looked very similar to yours. I am now a 34 A almost the same size prior to implants. I think larger implants (due to size and weight of them ). may cause more stretching of the skin. When I did the BA, I didn't want to go very large. I wanted the smaller implant just to give me a little fullness and cleavage. Hope this helps. I understand your dilemma. I struggled with that decision also. Hope this helps.
May 28, 2013
Hi Violin gal,,You have seen my pics. I had my meme textured implants removed 'en bloc' as well as a lift. I am healing beautifully. My doctor told me NOT to use ice (this stops blood supply. I used no arnica or bromelain either per his instructions. He did not use dissolvable stitches on the utside as he feels this leaves more scarring. Also he did one threadlike stitch all the way through from one end to the other. I still have tape on them to keep the scars flat until the scabbing falls off but from what i can see my scrs are not going to be bad. Implants are also easier to remove when they are on top of the muscle. It is really a personal choice. I never liked my large areolas so when he did the lift he trimmed them..They do look pretty. I should be able to post pics without tape in a couple of weeks when the scabs come off.. :)
May 28, 2013
Hi Light again! You are really my poster girl for what I would consider a "great outcome"!! I think your Dr. did a wonderful job.....you really look terrific! Did you ever hear about an internal lift? A few ladies on this site have mentioned one, but my Dr never mentioned anything like that as an option. Perhaps it is because of my age and amount of sagging. And I also have large areolas, so I need to ask my PS if he could make them smaller. I would really like that, especially with smaller breasts!! Thanks for your info. Much appreciated!! And how are YOU doing now??
May 29, 2013
Thanks for the sweet words..I am very very happy with my results and yes have read about the internal lifts.. My doc didn't mention any of that to me...somehow i have a feeling it might be easier to take the implants out 'en bloc the way he did it!! I'm still wearing the tape..and have peeked and i think in a few months the scarring will be light. Still i am not soo concerned about that.. Just happy with my new perky breasts :) xx
May 29, 2013
Just wanted to comment on this. I am 59 and had the same textured implants over the muscle for almost 23 years as well. I had them removed en bloc April 15th without a lift. The Doc did move some breast tissue up from the inside and put some sutures in to hold it in place. It's been six weeks now and I'm very happy I didn't get the lift! I have some breast tissue as I gained weight over the years and am now smaller and a little saggy but very happy with the results.
May 30, 2013
Hi Renewed! Thank you so much for your input on this. It is encouraging to hear from someone close to my age who also had the implants in for so many years. I am so happy to hear you are pleased with your results. I am definitely going to discuss this with my PS at my next visit, which is coming up soon. I will feel better when I can actually decide how I am going to do this whole thing. It is a bit scary. And again, thank you soooo much!!
Replies (18)
And thank YOU for paying it forward and starting your story on RealSelf, too! What, specifically, has you worried?