Almost 30 Year Old Implants GONE! One Year Update - Wesley Chapel, FL

Hello lovely ladies. I have gleaned so much information (and inspiration) from your stories and I've decided that its time to begin to share my story.

Years ago in the mid-80s I decided to get breast implants. I wasn't terribly unhappy with my size (34 B) but it seemed to be what everyone was doing at the time. My husband said that it was up to me if I wanted to do it, but I'm pretty sure that he wasn't unhappy with my decision. He's always been very supportive of all my decisions over the years...and he is now as well.

Fast forward to the present...well a few months ago. My gynecologist called me after my annual mammogram and said that my right implant was bleeding silicone. He also told me that it was about the same amount that showed on my mammo the year before!! WHAT? No one bothered to call me last year! Evidently this was not present on my mammo of two years ago...but still!

I had already decided that I was over the big-boobed look, but didn't have the financial resources to do anything about it (hubby under employed for the last few years). I also have a very atypical form of Multiple Sclerosis and wonder if my implants might have something to do with that. I know, I know, there have been studies done that refute this, but they only followed those ladies for about nine years post implant. I have slight numbness in the three middle fingers of my right hand and now, recenty have been battling frozen shoulder on the right side (same side that is leaking). I don't expect these issues to go away upon explantation, but it would be a nice added bonus. I've read on other sites that women have had similar issues and they felt better after their explantation. Placebo effect or not...I'll take it. I also have capsular contracture on both sides (right more than left) so its really time to do this.

I've put on a few pounds over the years so I'm now a 36 D-DD. I'm hoping that I'll at least remain a B cup, but if I don't I'm all right with it. I've taken up running and my boobs are just an annoyance when I run. Like other ladies here have mentioned I have to buy shirts in a larger size to accomodate the "girls"which makes me look bigger all over.I've also found that I try to buy bras that minimize my chest because i feel like my boobs look disproportionately large for my size (fake). I'm looking forward to looking a little more streamlined.

My doctor is Paul Albear and I really like him. I saw a few surgeons before him any they all gave me the "you'll be unhappy with how you're going to look" and "don't you want to re-implant?" speeches. He was the only one to not suggest anything beyond explantation. He said to give it a good six months after surgery to let things settle and see how I feel.

I also found out that my insurance covers the explantation because its medically necessary, so now cost is not an issue. YAY!

My surgery is tentatively scheduled for November 8th, so I've got one month to go.
I'l post some current pre-op pics.