I'm new to this forum, but so very thankful to find it. I, like alot of women decided to get implants 22 yrs ago to be more pleasing to my boyfriend. Mine are the "Replica" silicone implants that are no longer around. Now, at the time and throughout most of my implant life, I've enjoyed having them. But for the past year, I started noticing that they really didn't feel a part of me anymore. And then a couple months ago my left breast became hard, swollen and painful and I found a lump. I went to my doctor and he had me get an ultrasound. The ultrasound wasn't enough, so I had a MRI. The MRI showed both implants ruptured with an undetermined mass. My doctor then had me get a mammogram, I guess to confirm the mass? Anyway, I had my mind set on just replacing my implants when I went to the PS. But, he let me know that my lymph nodes are swollen and had shown up that way 6 yrs ago on the last MRI which was news to me. He wanted to have my lymph nodes biopsied to check for cancer first before putting new implants in. Anyway, he sent me to a cancer doc to arrange that and in the meantime I found this site. This site has been a Godsend for me. Because of the many stories I've read on explants w/out replacement, I've decided to not replace mine. I do not want to ever go through this again. I went back to the PS this morning to give him my decision, which he was all for surprisingly. So on July 2nd, I'll finally get these painful torpedos out and they'll do the biopsies on the mass and lymph nodes then. Now, I'm just praying that no cancer will show up. I will post a before pic later.
Updated on 20 Jun 2013:
Hard to believe these used to be so pretty.
Updated on 20 Jun 2013:
Can't look any worse out.
Updated on 25 Jun 2013:
Been having alot of sharp shooting pain in my breasts the last few days. Don't know if it's the silicone causing it or something else. I guess the good Lord's helping me stay positive about the decision to get 'em out and not replace them. I am so done with these plastic containers!
Updated on 28 Jun 2013:
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Updated on 28 Jun 2013:
Went to PS today to ask final questions before my surgery on Tuesday. I'm so thankful for this site. Because of the research I've done on here, I learned to ask about a different incision. He was going to use my original incisions through my nipples. But since I have a #4 CC in my left breast and a #3 in the right, I thought it might be safer to do a crease incision. So, anyway, I'm preparing my mind for little boobies and praying that there's no cancer when they do the biopsy on the undetermined spot.
Updated on 30 Jun 2013:
Hey ladies! I asked my PS the other day where to get the right kind of bra for after surgery....I live in small-town America. They said I could get a zip in the front sports bra at Walmart, so I did. But, after reading other posts, I'm wondering if that will be enough? I only spent $10 on this bra!
Updated on 1 Jul 2013:
Ok, surgery is scheduled for 10:30 tomorrow! Glad my doc prescribed me a valium for tonight and in the morning. I'm a bundle of nerves! No more phony bologna:)
Updated on 2 Jul 2013:
Today's the day! thankfuly I'm so drugged up that I'm not even nervous! praying that God will direct the surgeon's hands and that I'll bounce right back! i can't thank all of you enough for sharing your experiences with me. makes me more ready for this to be over.
Updated on 2 Jul 2013:
Surgery went well! Doc had a hard time getting the capsule out of my left breast and surgery lasted 3 hours. But, I got a sneak peek of them when hubby was applying neosporin to incisions..and I think they look better. This day just flew by since I've slept most of it. Thanks for all the prayers & encouragement! I'll lost pics soon!
Updated on 3 Jul 2013:
Updated on 4 Jul 2013:
Feeling a little better everyday! Hubby helped me shower...had to rig up my drains, but feel more human now. Praying that maybe the PS will take them out tomorrow. My breasts are still pretty sore and swollen, but I know in time they'll look and feel better. So glad to have my own boobs back:)
Updated on 5 Jul 2013:
Hi ladies! Just want to say that each day gets better and better. I just wish I could have gotten these drains out today but the PS wasn't in his office today so I have to wait til Monday. I can't wait to get back into my exercise routine. I know the pics of the first day look a little rough, but I know in time they'll get better. I think the hardest part of this whole recovery is keeping me still.
Updated on 8 Jul 2013:
Hey ladies! Finally getting these painful, itchy drains out today! I noticed last night that I am all of a sudden bruising around the drain site, and incisions. I'm hoping that's normal. I haven't been the best patient at being still. So I hope I haven't overdone it. I'm trying to lay off pain pills so I can go to the bathroom. Anyway, I hope post an updated pic w/out drains.
Updated on 8 Jul 2013:
Updated on 10 Jul 2013:
Hey ladies! Amazing what a difference a day can make. Yesterday I was in a lot of pain and wondering how long I was going to have to take pain meds and today, I haven't even needed a Tylenol. Went for a 45 minute power walk today after my daughter informed me that I must need to run because my belly's sticking out....not the least bit encouraging, but very motivating:) I felt a little twinge of pain at first but with every lap it's as if everything loosened up. If I can find a tight enough sports bra by next week, I'll be ready to run again! I don't have a tight compression bra like everyone keeps saying they have to wear. I asked my doc's nurse about it this morning and she said just wear a sports bra. Hope that's enough!
Updated on 16 Jul 2013:
Went for my 2 wk appt and doc said everything's looking good! He said I can now sleep without my bra...YAY! I really am feeling so much better! I asked my doctor about how bad my implants were and he said mine were the worst he's seen in his over 20 yrs of practice. He said they were like blocks of concrete. So thankful that they're gone! As you can see, my left side still has some healing to do, but that's ok. I love my natural boobies!
Updated on 19 Jul 2013:
Hi Ladies! Just wanted to share w/ ya'll that I was able to do over half of what I normally run today and that was in the blistering heat! Didn't feel it a bit around my breast, just felt the heat. Also have been able to do 200 crunches a day this week. Getting back to normal a lot of quicker than I thought I would. I still can't get over how much better I look without those rocks on my chest...don't even miss em a bit! I tell ya'll this in hopes that it will inspire you to love yourself! God is good!
Updated on 23 Jul 2013:
Hi ladies! Can't believe it's already been 3 weeks since I got my poison balls off my chest. As you can see in my pics, it's a slow process of healing, but that's ok. I still think I look better now than before so I'm happy! I realized after reading some of the other women's post, that my left breast has the "dent" that they've mentioned. Don't know if that will ever go away, but if not that's just a great reminder to love what the LORD gave me.
Updated on 31 Jul 2013:
Hey ladies! Started lifting weights this week. I'm taking it a little slow..Haha, not really! I'm ready to tighten my girls up. I must admit though, after working chest, shoulders and triceps the first day, I have been pretty sore. But, I think it's a good sore. I still cannot get over how much better my shirts fit now! I thought I'd have to get rid of half of them because they'd be too big, but they all fit better. Before the explant, that must of been all anyone saw...BOOBS! Anyway, I'll post new pics soon!
Updated on 6 Aug 2013:
It's funny! Every time I look in the mirror, I love the way my boobs look. But then I take a pic and I think...UGH! they still look a bit rough. I'll blame it on my camera...hehe
Updated on 6 Aug 2013:
My tape finally fell off today! So I started the mederma. Hope that stuff works good because my scars are pretty dark.
Updated on 7 Aug 2013:
Just a couple things I noticed with the pic I posted yesterday. One, the camera really does add "fluff" because my boobs are not as big as they appear. And two, I'm glad they don't lead the way, because they're both pointing in opposite directions...hehe
Updated on 14 Aug 2013:
Well ladies..today is my birthday. And I am happily celebrating it with my beautiful "not-so-perfect" God-given boobies. I'm so thankful to have this part of my life behind me now...it can only get better. My left breast still looks a little rough, but I'm learning to live with it. As soon as I have some extra money, I'm going out to buy me some pretty new bras. I may not get a chance to update as much from here on out because I start back to work next week, but I want to encourage all of you to love yourself because God loves you!
Updated on 3 Sep 2013:
Hi ladies! Can't believe it's been 9 weeks! This will probably be the last time I update, but I encourage all of you to love yourselves! So thankful that I found this site!!