One of my 28 year old saline implants ruptured this summer. I went back to the doctor who performed the original implants. I was given an appointment within a week of meeting with him, for an explant and capsulectomy. I was grateful to be seen and scheduled for surgery so quickly. I didn't want another implant surgery for many reasons. Now that the implants are gone, my breasts are deflated and sagging. But I love that they feel so soft. I don't miss the implants at all. They were too large for my body, made it hard to fit in clothes and got in the way when rock climbing. They felt unnatural. Over this last week I've seen many news articles about textured saline implants, like mine, being cancer causing. So I'm glad they are gone. I've researched breast fat transfers and doctors who specialize in this procedure for months and interviewed 6 surgeons in my area. But ultimately I chose Dr. Fairbanks because he is a seasoned professional, a plastic surgeon and an artist. He's performed breast augmentation surgery on my mother and me. He also performed a breast lift on my daughter. I've been cupping and massaging my breasts to break up or soften the scar tissue from the explant for the last 5 months. I also started accupuncture on my breasts yesterday. It is meant to bring more chi, blood flow, to my breasts. I was kind of unsure what to expect. But it was one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced. Every now and then, I've had acupuncture for back pain and migraines, with no pain at the time of service, followed by relief. But this time was a little uncomfortable at first. I meditated with the music playing in the background and visualized the mountains and rivers in Utah. After a few minutes I could feel strange pain move quickly back and forth that lasted for 1 to 5 seconds at a time in my chest. A couple of times, the pain was a little intense. But after it was over, I was energized and had a natural high. My thoughts are clearer. I feel lighter, less stress and anxiety. I haven't had a good nights sleep for 26 months. But last night I slept all the way through the night without waking up every hour or two! I'm going back for acupuncture tomorrow and one more time before the surgery is performed. I'm excited to see how it will affect my healing. I will definitely be back soon once the surgery is over. I can't believe I'm finally doing this surgery. Crossing my fingers for beautiful results. Updated on 1 Dec 2018: I had another acupuncture treatment today. It lasted 2 hours. I was not in pain from it. But I did start to feel numb in my hand about a half hour before it was over. My hope is to support healing and new growth for my damaged breasts. I have a few small bruises from needles, that feel like sore muscles after a workout. I feel lighter in my chest and more mentally present. Updated on 2 Dec 2018: My breasts are not even close to being full right now. I don't like the deflated sagging appearance. But I love how soft they feel. I've really appreciated the people who shared their journey with photos as I've researched the right surgery and doctor for my concerns. I had a challenging time finding doctors who regularly perform breast fat transfers, especially cosmetic rather than breast cancer reconstructive surgery. Most have no more than a couple of old photos for their before and after gallery or none at all. I interviewed two popular doctors who had many photos and claimed to be experts in breast fat transfer but weren't plastic surgeons. Plus they charged almost double the price of the plastic surgeons and took more risks than I was willing to accept. They perform up to 6 surgeries in one day. When I mentioned their names to the plastic surgeons I interviewed, every one of them had a story about cleaning marble like fat necrosis in patients who had to have surgery to repair their expensive work. It took 6 months of research but I am finally moving forward with this surgery. I'll visit the acupuncture doctor the day before surgery to boost breast health and blood flow. I'm taking arnica Montana and will take it and bromelain after surgery to support natural healing for bruising. Updated on 31 Dec 2018: I researched this procedure for about 5 months, after my 28 year old textured saline breast implant failed. Dr. Fairbanks saw me right away and within a week he performed the explant and capsulectomy. I healed for 7 months and I interviewed 7 doctors before I selected Dr. Fairbanks to perform the breast fat transfer surgery. I was concerned that this surgery would be too painful, risky, a waste of money and time.I learned that most breast augmentations are not fat transfers in Utah. So most Utah doctors don't have the experience to perform this kind of surgery with outstanding results (no fat necrosis or cysts). I needed to feel comfortable with trusting a surgeons abilities and understand the risks and benefits of this elective surgery. I had the surgery on December 5, 2018. The day of surgery went well, but I was vomiting for about 7 hours when I got home. I bled from the incision on my hip. But I was mostly numb in the liposuctioned areas , hips and stomach, for several days. After the numbness wore off I took pain killer as needed. My breasts received 380 cc fat each replacing the implants of 390 ccs. I never really liked how big the implants were. I was glad to be done with them. But once removed my breasts were deflated, dented and deformed. After the surgery I had HUGE HARD breasts for the first week or two. But after four weeks they are softened large C cup. I still have a few lumps that seem to soften every day. Since the first week I massage them lightly (the weight of a nickle) for a few minutes to ease the ache. After about 3 weeks, I sometimes use very careful light dry cupping on the lumps (weight of a nickle). It has been extremely effective in easing the pain and decreasing the hard lumps. I have also been taking epsom salt baths with scented oils to ease swelling and pain as needed. I bought compression garments/lingerie from local stores for reasonable prices and put tape on the seams to avoid dents and pain in swollen areas. I will continue to use them for another couple of weeks. To prepare for the surgery I went to an acupuncturist 2 or 3 times a week for 3 weeks to address my breast health specifically. This is meant to create more blood flow to my breasts and address a nipple that appeared inverted after the explant. Before and after the surgery I took Arnica Montana and some herbal supplements meant to heal after surgery or trauma. My acupuncturist had two that he provided. This has been really helpful to ease my pain and promote healing. I don't take any prescriptions. I eat whole foods. I am 5'3 135 lbs. I'm active. But I feel and look much younger than 54 years old. Please note that for almost 30 years I have gone to Dr Fairbanks to look as good as I feel. I compared other doctors before and after photos while researching pros and cons of the procedures and reviews of patients. I even considered flying to other states for the best surgeon for breast fat transfer. Each time I moved forward with a surgery, I chose Dr. Fairbanks because of these important reasons: He is conservative in every aspect of his approach to the surgery performed. He doesn't risk your health. He goes above and beyond to avoid infections and disfigurements. He can perform procedures within his facility and it can save the patient thousands of dollars. His staff and nurses are caring and helpful. He reaches out to you and makes time to be there for you before, during and after the surgeries. He answers every question with the wisdom of a seasoned professional with decades of experience. His advice and practices don't risk your healing process. He is an ARTIST in every sense of the word. I know this from his art background and in the results achieved by the many procedures he performed on me, my mother and my daughter. He has taught many plastic surgeons and won many awards for his outstanding achievements as a plastic surgeon and artist. He understands the human body very well. Dr. Fairbanks is one of the best plastic surgeons in the world and we have him here in Utah. He is a hidden gem for those seeking beautiful results.
My textured saline implants were removed after one ruptured and the other was drained. One breast had a serious concave appearance and scar tissue. It still looks deformed. But the doctor got me into surgery quickly. Drains really hurt when removed. He yelled at me not to move. It's been awhile since that day. I've been researching fat transfers and won't be getting any more implants. I've interviewed several doctors for the surgery. I wish they had more photos of examples. I'm meeting with the last doctor tomorrow. Updated on 2 Dec 2018: I'm including photos of my breast 6 months after the surgery. I'll include before pictures from my file in another post. I am uncomfortable with being naked in front of my husband after he made a distasteful and hurtful comment after my implant ruptured. I've disguised the deformed concave breasts by using padding in bras. My left breast is the one with scar tissue that is attached to my armpit and when I use that arm, it lifts the breast in a weird diagonal way. I hope he fixes that area when he performs the breast fat transfer surgery. I've been cupping and massaging that area myself and I've noticed a small improvement. For the last week I've been getting acupuncture treatment for the breast health. Updated on 31 Dec 2018: My breasts are fuller than before. I am a full c cup right now. They are soft with only a few hard lumps. I'll be posting more photos after my breast acupuncture treatments to help tighten skin a reduce sagging. So far I'm loving the results of my surgeries. My breasts are so soft and touchable. I wasn't aiming for perfection with this surgery. I just wanted to achieve more volume and reduce the dents and deflation. I went from a b to a c cup. I'm getting used to them. The first week after the surgery I binge watched the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Netflix. It was awesome to laugh and ironic to see this series while healing. It helped me love my imperfections and myself a little bit more. The lipo areas are still swollen and sore but it's getting better every day. I lightly (like the weight of a nickel) massage and dry cup to reduce hard, swollen areas and pain relief. Epsom salt baths with essential oils are my daily routine now. Magnesium (from epsom salt) is best absorbed through skin. It relaxes me and it reduces bruising. I've been
I've loved this site so far! It's helped me so much in making the decision to have my surgery and also helped me size wise, and I feel more mentally prepared. Hopefully my review can help someone else. I've had a hard time finding others with my same measurements (height and weight) as me, ya'll are so slim! My BA is scheduled for August 26th. I never thought I'd get a BA. I've always been small chested and had curvy hips and thighs. I'm the very definition of "pear shaped" ????. I've been married for almost ten years now and have three beautiful boys ages 6, 4, and 2. I breastfed all of them. Luckily my breasts aren't too droopy, so I don't need a lift. My best friend had a BA a couple months ago and the second I saw them I thought "I need those!" It was kind of crazy as I was raised in a very conservative household and "boob job" was always something my mom referred to as a negative, vain, terrible thing...so I never ever even considered it for myself, even though I've alway been frustrated in swimming suits, bras, and lingerie...I'd say I was a bit brainwashed. After seeing my friend's, my entire thought process changed. Suddenly I was researching all things boob job. I brought it up to my husband and he was a little surprised, but very supportive in my researching it. He has been great about not pushing me one way or another. I chose dr Grant R. Fairbanks Senior because of his experience (40+ years--he's literally like 80 years old) and his artistic background, he is a very talented sculptor. He also teaches art classes to the plastic surgeon students at a local university here, is board certified, and a member of several plastic surgery societies. He has a very impressive background and after my consultation with him I was so impressed! He even gave me a mini art lesson as it applies to the body and the breasts. My biggest hurdle was telling my mom. I decided email was best as I didn't want her interjecting with her opinions and advice on the matter. I was confident in my decision and let her know. I was so surprised when she responded in a very loving, kind way, asking how she can help with my kids. I bawled. Since then I've felt complete peace and excitement about my decision. I've attached some before pics. BTW I'm going with 400cc under the muscle. Not sure what profile as that wasn't ever discussed. Debating on 375cc ???? Since my bottom is curvy I don't want to look fat! But also don't want to regret going too small. Updated on 9 Aug 2016: Here are a few wish pics. I actually like a little bit of a fake look, but I don't want big circles on my chest like headlights!! Updated on 21 Aug 2016: I'm feeling so nervous and excited about my surgery this Friday! My period is going to start this week and my boobs have been so sore! My husband was like, "just wait until next week at this time..." ???? I hope my period starting isn't anything problematic. Were any of you ladies on your periods during surgery? As dumb as this sounds, I'm mostly nervous about the iv! I have small veins and I swear I get poked 4-5 times every time I've gotten IVs or my blood drawn or anything. Especially while fasting. So this gives me major anxiety. I've had three c-sections and the surgery itself doesn't scare me half as bad as the IV...ridiculous, I know. I'm getting excited but still nervous and undecided on size. I'm almost certain I'm going to go with 400ccs, but was originally planning on 375. I make the final decision at my preop this Thursday. I've been eating terribly this weekend (I get massive pms cravings) so I'm planning on getting back to my healthy ways tomorrow so my body is as healthy as possible before my surgery. I am a major vitamin freak and take a multi, b-12, two probiotics, and normally eat a fairly healthy diet and exercise regularly. This pms has thrown a little wrench in my healthy eating. Also I get terrible menstrual cramps and always take a lot of Motrin when my period starts which I can't take any at all this week ???? so I'm hoping if it starts in the next day or two it isn't terrible. In prep I ordered some large ice packs from Amazon. I've seen several women on here mention Arnica...never heard of it. Is it a huge help? My surgeons office gives me a surgical bra after surgery...is there anything else I need to get (or avoid) this week to make my recovery quicker and easier?! This is a jumbled mess of random thoughts but any advice or comments are appreciated!! Thanks ladies! Updated on 25 Aug 2016: Went to my preop today. It was basically just a basic physical. Dr said I look healthy, so that's good! ???? I got all my prescriptions sleeping pill (for tonight and after surgery if I need them), pain killers for after, and an antibiotic for after. The ps also gave me medical soap to wash with twice today and once before surgery tomorrow. I got blood drawn at the lab afterwards and I was so scared! They can never get my veins and I get poked three or four times usually! I hate hate it. Well the phlebotomist was so great and stuck me once and after wiggling that dang needle around for a second, she got it! ???????????????? I'm surprisingly calm about tomorrow but still very nervous about the size. I really don't want to be too big. Is rather be too small than too big but I want that beautiful semi-fake look. Curve and fullness at the top and beautiful shape. My ps is a sculptor so I told him "you're the artist you decide what will look best on my frame." Now I'm just doing laundry, all clothing, sheets, and towels, and cleaning my house spotless. Here's hoping tomorrow goes well and I love them! Updated on 26 Aug 2016: Hi ladies, my surgery was this morning. I got there and the staff was so kind and loving. I got a shot in my leg to relax me. Anesthesiologist was a wonderful kind man. Got my iv in on the first try ???????? I was still so worried about the size. I trust my doctors and nurses 100% and I ended up just saying whatever looks best put them in. "I don't want [RS bleep] star boobs! Classy not trashy! Don't want to look fat!" They were so kind and the surgical nurse assured me woman to woman she'd get me what I wanted. When I woke up, nurse said "okay Honey we did 400. You'll look beautiful and they fit your frame." I wasn't in pain then, but now?! I'm bawling!!! I've noticed I need pain meds every three hours but I have to wait until it's been four. That last hour I've spent bawling to the point of hiccuping. I go tomorrow morning to get my drains out. I hope they loosen this mummy wrap. I haven't seen them yet. Please tell me this pain gets better quickly! I want to die! Also I've had three c-sections and this is comparable! I need some encouragement ladies! ???? Updated on 27 Aug 2016: Well I expected some pain but nothing like this!! Yesterday was so bad and today I do feel better but have a low grade fever and the shakes if im not bundled up. Especially right after I wake up from these Percocet-induced naps. My sweet husband took my temperature and I had a low grade fever of 99.8. I called the dr just took make him aware and he said it's a little worrisome, stay on my antibiotic schedule and he was going to check on my tomorrow. On a positive note, holy gorgeous boobs!! Pray for me girls this hurts so bad and I'm scared! I really don't want an infection. I'll post some after pics in a couple hours after my babies are in bed. Updated on 28 Aug 2016: I woke up last night at 2am so itchy, swollen, and sweaty. My amazing husband helped me get in my big soaker tub with some yummy bubble bath. I made sure to keep the girls dry but it felt so good to wash down the rest of my body. Today I'm mostly sore on my right side where my dr pulled out the drain. It hurt bad coming out (worse than the other side) so I'm not surprised. My shakes have stopped and no fever! ???????????????????????? I haven't had the energy to take new selfies of the girls bare but I will soon. Here's some in my bra with my ace wrap. You can see I have a tiny bit of bruising on the tops of my breasts and my right side is sitting much higher and stiffer than my left. It's definitely my most painful side. Just a reminder of my stats, I'm 5'7" and 147 lbs. 400cc submuscular Updated on 28 Aug 2016: My right side is so high and tight. I'm uncomfortable but not even close to how I felt that first night. I'm already excited to see what's to come and hope the more I get moving the softer and better they'll feel and look. I have a checkup tomorrow with Dr Fairbanks. Updated on 31 Aug 2016: Today I feel down. Kind of like the booby blues. I look at them and they just seem so small still. Also not as round as I was hoping for. I was debating between 375cc and 400cc and left it up to the dr. Dr put in the 400s which I'm so happy he did because they still look small. Will they look rounder as they drop? I had one wish picture and they don't even look close to that. Ladies, tell me what you think? Picture is my before and then today (surgery was last Friday, so five days post op). I get my stitches out next Monday. Updated on 2 Sep 2016: I received 400cc silicone round under the muscle. I'm feeling good. My implants are still tight and haven't dropped but I am massaging and wearing my strap to encourage them to drop. I get my stitches removed this upcoming Tuesday. The incisions are still sore. Morning boob is real! I wake up pretty stiff in the mornings. At my appointment this past Monday, my dr pushed so hard on the tops of my implants in a downward motion I actually cried. I thought those incisions were going to bust right open and my implants would go flying out on the table ????. Then he told me I needed to do that every day. I've been doing it but ouch!! I'm so impatient and want them to drop and fluff. Just curious how long did it take yours to do that? Really drop and settle into place? Updated on 2 Sep 2016: I would encourage any of you who are going to do the surgery to take daily pics. It's interesting to see how they change over time. This is how mine have changed in just one week. Obviously very small changes but knowing they're dropping makes me happy ???? Updated on 4 Sep 2016: I made the mistake of weighing myself yesterday. Oh ladies, throw the scales away if you are getting BA surgery. Throw them in the garbage, have your husband, significant other, bff whoever, hide them in a place where you can't find them for a few weeks, bury them in a pit, hit them with a sledgehammer, do whatever, but do NOT, I repeat do NOT step on a scale until you are at least four weeks past surgery. I got on that scale and got lightheaded like....it's broken!! That's the only explanation! I immediately started hyperventilating and bawling and my husband, (bless his heart) had to spend the next twenty mins "talking me off the ledge" so to speak. I'm about to get real ladies and I was plus ten pounds! I was immediately looking on here and researching the weight of my implants (400ccs = roughly 1.75 lbs FYI) post surgical weight gain and apparently it's normal--water weight, and constipation are the two biggest culprits yadda yadda. I look and feel bloated. It doesn't help that I appear to have skipped my period completely. I was due to start the day before surgery and I'm telling you, my body is like clockwork, and still no period. I was crampy today though so maybe soon. It's buggin. I even took a pregnancy test like, it would be an immaculate conception but it's happened before!! Haha. Negative of course--praise the heavens above. My stomach is usually quite flat and it's all kinds of bloated. I've been pregnant three times and I'm serious--I look pregnant! I haven't been having any more bathroom issues so I'm thinking it's part period part still that post surgical water retention. I'm starting regular walking this week and of course watching what goes in my body. Pray for me. I've never been petite although my figure is slim enough it's a lot of work for me to stay "semi slim"--especially after three babies all c-sections. Those tummy muscles just aren't the same. Doing my best to stay positive and know it's in my control and within my reach to get rid of this bloat. I don't feel sexy--even with my new additions. That's a real bummer :( my husband did say today though, and I quote, "I love your boobs." I was like that's great honey, they cost you $6000. Updated on 7 Sep 2016: I got my stitches removed yesterday. Mine weren't the dissolving kind. It didn't hurt that bad! I'm pleased with my progress! Also dr said since I skipped my period I'm likely due to have a bad one next month. So that's just great. Also my scale is broken! My dr was concerned when I told him I'd gained ten pounds and he made me get on the scale at his office and said actually I'm showing you have lost three since your surgery... Oh gosh I could've hugged the man! We just moved and our scale had a lot of erosion around the battery when I took it out. And it's about ten years old. Well surprise! It's broken! I could've cried I was feeling so fat. Updated on 15 Sep 2016: Well tomorrow will be the three week mark since my BA. My only complaints are that my nipples feel so raw. That same feeling you get when you're first nursing a baby. And my incisions are still sore. But overall I feel pretty great! I'm even wishing I had gone a little bit bigger! But I think they look great in clothes. I think if I had gone bigger I'd feel like I looked fatter up top which I really didn't want. I'm glad I've taken regular pictures so I can see the slow progress they're making. The top picture is from one week after surgery and the bottom picture was taken today. If you look at my scars you can see how the implant has dropped closer to my incisions in just that two week period. Not a huge change in appearance otherwise but they're dropping! Slowly but surely.
