I had silicone breast implants installed 24 years ago (this month, to be exact). Well, after agonizing the past six months, I finally decided to have them removed. I started noticing a significant hardening in my left breast and some pain, which increased over the following months. I was advised that removal was optional and I my health was not threatened. Other than the tightening and hardening, I never experienced any other physical complications or issues that others describe. I was fearful of the removal. I was a 34B 24 years ago and had 450cc placed over the muscle. After so many years of my breasts accommodating that large of an implant, I was expecting shriveled, deflated balloons. Not so. They look o.k. I'm not going to say they look GREAT, but they certainly held their shape and I don't have any wrinkling or puckering like I feared. Yes, a little flat on top, but overall, I am very pleased with the outcome. Right now I still have drains so I'm not comfortable posting pictures yet but I probably will in the upcoming days as those of you who posted YOUR pics certainly helped me to make the decision to go ahead and take them out. I need to pay it forward so I will do the same. Thanks to everyone on this site for their stories and pics. It helped me to make a very big and difficult decision and I am so happy I did.

I'm one week away from surgery and I still can't convience my boyfriend! Last week I bought 3 post surgery bras, today I ordered my scar gel, Kelo-Cote. My house is clean, laundry is done, but I just can't seem to get him to agree. He gets very upset just talking about it. I have been considering the reduction for about 5 yrs now. I'm a 36D but I'm only 5 ft. tall and weight 125lbs. My boobs are saggy..I don't like what I see in the mirror. I'm nervous and scared, but I know I want to do this...The boyfriend stresses me, and at this point I'm not sure he will be there for me... if I move forward I'm taking a risk on loosing him. :( Updated on 26 Oct 2012: Today marks 9 days post surgery. What a great experience this has been. The day of my surgery was unbelievable. I arrived at the hospital at 6am, the hospital staff was amazing, everyone was extremely nice and friendly. After my vitals and IV were done I got to talk to the anesthesiologist, he talked to me for about five minutes...that sure helped my nerves. At 8am, I was taken to the Operating room, the room was a bit cold but as soon as I pointed it out i was covered with two warm blankets!!! the OR was extremely clean and the bed was so comfortable. There where about 5 hospital staff in there one of those was my PS and my anesthesiologist. Although the others introduced themselves to me, I don't remember who they were. After my PS was done with measurement I went into a deep sleep. Three hours later I woke up in the recovery room, there was a nurse checking my vitals, she asked if I was nauseas and immediate gave me a shot of phenegram...not sure on the spelling. Other then the nausea I had no pain! As soon as I got home I took a vicodin per doctors orders and went to sleep. I woke up three hours later and had a Campbell's chicken soup with crackers. I went to bed at 10pm and still didn't have any pain. The next day I woke up and went to my PS office and had my drains removed...still no pain. After I left his office I went to the park for a short 20 mins walk. After the park I had lunch and then took a nap. On day 2 post surgery I went to Macy's looking for a comfortable bra. And still no pain. On day 3 post surgery I went the movies and still no pain. Well needless to say, I've been pain free since the surgery. I am extremely happy with this experience. My boobs are perfect. My boyfriend is still mad and won't look at them. He has been at my side since the night before surgery but won't really talk to me. He bought me a lot soups and juices and even helped clean up a little but overall he is not being very nice. He is distant and hasn't shown any affection.

18 years and 9 surgeries later, I am having my implants removed in 9 days. I have put it off for about 7 years because the cost to get new, smaller implants is about $7500, which I don't have lying around. And to be completely honest, I have been to vain to just have them removedI turned 50 last August and it deeply affected me. I have been sober for almost 5 years and I think I am on the right track-my life is coming together-finally. The experience of giving implants was never my idea. My boyfriend at the time was a "wanna be" pro body builder and he was embarrassed of my small B size. He basically beat me until he broke me down physically and emotionally. He won. I got implants. And I have lived a nightmare with them since the very first day. Oh boy, this is tougher than I expected... More to come plus photos. Sorry!