I was unhappy with the shapelessness of my breasts. At size 34B, they had lost volume and laid flat like pancakes. I met with one surgeon prior to Dr Geraghty, and this surgeon took measurements then explained to me the size he would make my breasts- didn't ask what I had in mind. I decided to get a second opinion and I'm so grateful I did.
This morning I had my 12 year old saline implants (Mentor, smooth, under muscle filled to 360 and 370) removed and I am ecstatic. I had no real medical issues, but I have become less and less enamored with them over the years and it was time to let them go. I have experienced back and shoulder pain for quite some time, and it seemed they were just feeling more and more heavy and uncomfortable. I also HATED the experience of hugging people - and I'm a hugger! Knowing these were eventually going to need to be dealt with for general "maintenance", I just decided I don't want to be fake anymore. Truth be told, I never really bonded with them. I had wanted a C cup, and ended up a DD. The older I get, the more and more I feel matronly, and I'm tired of hiding them. So out they went! My surgery lasted about 45 minutes, in a surgical center under general anesthesia. Pain is very minimal, with the exception of this very tight bra! I see the surgeon in two days, at which time he will put me in another bra and I will be allowed to shower. Then I see him again in two more days, then a week later. I love my doc and am so thankful he was able to do my explant. My timing seems very fortunate as he is getting ready to retire. He gave me three options when I met with him - leave them alone since there are no medical issues, re-implant with significantly smaller silicone implants, or explant. He never challenged my decision. He says I have a moderate amount of breast tissue and should be fine with the end result. He did indicate I may sag a little, but I'm 55 - 55 year old boobies sag. He did not see a need for any additional reconstructive surgery. I won't be posting pics. I know how much photos help, and I appreciate those of you brave enough to share yours, but I am not willing to post photos of my breasts on the internet. I hope you will respect my decision in that regard. As of this very moment, I am completely and totally pleased with my decision. I wish all of you considering this step the best of luck. I have been seriously researching this for a year, and had my first consult one year ago this month. Do not rush your decision. Unless you have a medical condition, there is no point in jumping into surgery - any kind of sugery - until you feel 100% sure. Take care all! Updated on 19 Feb 2015: First day post-op and things are going very well. I took pain medication yesterday, but none today other than ibuprofen. Most of my discomfort comes from this very snug compression bra, but I can live with it. Slept pretty well last night and even found myself drifting to my side a couple of times without issue. I expect to see the early results tomorrow at my first post-op visit. I'm prepared for sad little boobies, but I'm perfectly fine with it. My back pain is already gone and that's a miracle in and of itself. Updated on 20 Feb 2015: Went in for my first post-op appointment today and got to see the little darlings for the first time. They are actually adorable! The nipple on the left side is a little smooshed up - but I owe that to that ridiculously tight compression bra I've been wearing. Doc says it should straighten out and look great in a couple of weeks. And boy was it fabulous to lose that bra! The tight compression was necessary to ensure I don't get fluid, and while it was not fun, it beats getting fluid without a doubt. I've not had a pain pill other than the one the day of surgery and I am doing just fine with ibuprofen. I'm cleared for a shower (thank heavens) and just need to take it easy for a week or so. That means no lifting anything heavy and no repetitive tasks like vaccuuming, which completely breaks my heart. I've been able to sleep on my side since the first night. I've been working from home since the day after surgery and will be back in the office on Monday. Other than some tenderness at the incision, I'm feeling great. As I said before - if you take your time in making this decision and recognize that in the end, you will likely end up very close to where you started, this is not a difficult journey. For those who are expecting to somehow look better after explant than you did before implant, I strongly suggest you give it some time before deciding. Once you're ready to go - it's been my experience (and I realize others have had less than pleasant experienes, which I completely respect) this is a very easy recovery. Updated on 22 Feb 2015: I am continuing to see great results from my explant and hope those of you considering this procedure find some encouragement. My left side is a little more tender than the right, so not sleeping on it, however, sleeping on the right like a champ! Still no pain meds - including Ibuprofen at this point as it simply is not needed. As to how they look - they look very much like most everyone else on here. They are small, with no upper pole fullness (the part I hated the most about my implants because it is totally unnatural without a push-up bra), and soft, soft, soft. The seem larger then what I had pre-BA, but I've also put on 15 pounds in the past 12 years so that surely has a bearing. They have a great shape to them. They are just small. Which is exactly what MY breasts are - small. I go back in to the doc in three days (he pushed my appointment out because things were going so well), and have to wear the sports bra 24x7. He says this helps with reducing any sagging. I have small breasts so sagging isn't going to be a big deal for me anyway. But I'm following his advice because he's the best! Updated on 1 Mar 2015: Well, there's not a lot to update because things are just continuing to progress. I have full range of motion (even though the doc still says no lifting) and sleep on my back, sides, tummy - wherever and however I'm comfortable. My incisions are healing nicely and I go in for my last doctor's visit tomorrow, where I hope he give me permission to try some new bras. The sports bra I've been wearing is growing old! My breasts really do look nearly exactly as they did prior to my BA, which astounds me since I've been carrying around implants for twelve years. I no longer feel embarrassed when pumping the coffee dispenser at work (worried everyone will notice my boob doing that weird flexing thing), I have absolutely NO back pain, and I've experienced real, genuine, honest hugs with people for the first time in years with no fear they can tell there's something weird between us. I told my doctor last week that I am completely thrilled with this decision. And I mean it.
I am 5'8" 140lbs, 135lbs at this point after the surgery. I can already say every morning my mood doesn't turn sour after putting my first shirt on. I pretty much feel great in any shirt, any bra, which is an investment in yourself and your relationship. we are tight wads with our money so this was a tough decision, but I'm already seeing results inside and out that tell me, it's the best money i ever spent. also - just a tip...don't get sick when healing. I have caught both stomach bug and cold/flu from my small children while immune system is low and the pain is a little rougher than typical!
First a little background about myself. I am 25 years old, 5', about 110 lbs when I decided to get liposuction. By no means did I think I was fat, I just had a few stubborn areas that I could not get rid of. I work out 4 times a week by doing a mix of aerobics, weight lifting, pilates and yoga. My eating habits were OK -- not the greatest, but not the worst. Personally, I felt great, but it was not showing in my body. I spent an entire year working out with a personal training and could not achieve the body I was looking for so I decided to bite the bullet and get liposuction. My doctor and nurse were excellent. I did a a lot of research on him before i decided to choose him. He was one of the first doctors in the 80s chosen to do liposuction. Throughout his years, he has tried several types of liposuction and has a great extent of knowledge on the subject. He suggested several other doctors to consult with and named a few who were not good. He was very open with me and answered all of my questions. His thoughts on me getting liposuction: I am in the 10th percentile of patients he performs liposuction on. I have some fat in my flanks (love handles), small beginnings of saddle bags and a touch of work can be done on my inner thighs. I asked if he would do my stomach and he refused because I have not had any children yet. ( i was mildly disappointed, but completely respected his reasoning). I saw and talked to the doctor a few times between my initial consultation and surgery date and asked a number of questions. My doctor was big on making sure I asked a lot of questions and he answered every single one of them. Day of Surgery: They doctor came in, marked up the areas and confirmed with me that this is what I what I wanted. He told me he would leave a little bit of fat on my flanks to prevent lumpiness. I was completely ok with since my main concern was the shape of my body. The nurses were absolutely wonderful and made me feel comfortable. Last thing I remember was going into the surgery room and then I'm waking up in the recovery room. The initial pain was about a 7, but the nurses gave me some pain killers and it went down to about a 4. Not too much pain after that. I felt like I worked out way too hard and my muscles were sore. I was Valium and Vicodine for the pain and muscle spasms so I slept the entire day. I had very little drainage from my inner thigh and I was able to walk around a little bit to get the blood flowing. I had trouble sleeping through the night since I am a stomach sleeper. I found it best to sleep with a pillow on my stomach and that helped a lot. Day 2: I felt sore (like working out too much sore). I took half of the recommended medications and decided to go to the mall to do some walking around. I walked for about an hour and then felt tired so I went back home. Later that night I had to go to a dinner and I was a little out of it from the medicine, but felt fine. I wore a Maxi dress to hide my compression garment, but my slow movements getting in and out of the chair was noticeable but no one asked any questions. Day 3: I took no medications and did a lot errands. I did a little bit of house cleaning that didn't require me bending over. Also, I started noticing some bruising. The bruising is not bad whatsoever. 1 week post surgery: I think I exerted myself a little too much during the first few days. I'm back to talking my pain medications once during the day and once at night. My thighs do not hurt anymore, but I get an occasional spasm and nerve pain on my flanks. My doctor is great. I'm actually moving to another state in a couple days and he gave me a few a board certified doctor's to contact if i need to see them for anything. My doctor also recommended seeing a massage therapist 4 times to loosen the fat from the skin and muscle and requested that I give him a call once I get to my new home. My overall experience was worth it!
I have been on this site several times reading everyone else' story. As I sit here tonight with nervousness and excitement as my surgery date gets closer and closer, I thought, instead of reading everyone else' why not make my own? Hopefully I will not only help myself by typing what's on my mind, but maybe help someone else go through this same experience and all the feelings I have encompassed. I am 26 years old about to be 27, with no children and I have always been very athletic and in shape. I played basketball in high school and college along with track, and cross country. One thing I have never been proud of are my breasts. It's a standing joke with people who know me and some of the comments that have been said are that I have *mosquito bites*, or *I don't need a bra, all I need is a bandaid for support*. Although I laugh when things like are said, deep down, it really does affect my self esteem and how I see myself. I never thought I would be someone to even consider plastic surgery, because I thought I would always accept myself for who I am and what I had been given. Although, I do accept myself, and can’t complain about my life as I am very blessed, I don't want to let something so little (literally, hehe) affect me for the rest of my life, when there are so many other things in life to be concerned about. My motto, "You only live once, so why not make yourself happy?” I have contemplated getting breast implants for years…A couple of years ago, when I met my wonderful boyfriend Tony, I was then introduced to one of his co-workers who soon became one of best friends. It seems like her and I were separated at birth; enjoying the same hobbies, finishing each other’s sentences, and having the same personalities. Come to find out, she also had wanted breast implants and she had actually already been to a consult when she was 18, but changed her mind and decided not to go through with it. Since then, several of our friends have gotten breast implants and all seem very pleased. So, what better way to go through this scary, nerve wracking, EXCITING process then with your best friend?! Yes, that’s right, my best friend and I are doing this together. We have gone to every doctor’s appointment together along with our mammogram. Our surgeries are even scheduled on the same day, one hour apart. She has been my support, my laughter, and ears to listen to me when I start to freak out, and a friend I’ve never had, but always wanted. The process has moved rather quickly, but rest assured, we have both done our research and have shared whatever information we can with each other. I think everyone has doubt in the back of their mind, or the fear of the unknown, but she has literally been my rock. (I sound like I’m talking about my boyfriend)…So on with the process… June 18th – 1st consult – my appointment. Doctor was amazing, wonderful bed side manner, seemed very intelligent of course, and a combination of a wonderful personality with tons of laughter but still at the same time knowing this surgery is a “big deal” and not taking it lightly. Leaving the office I felt a ton of emotion. Should I be doing this? Am I doing the right thing? Are people going to judge me? Will everyone think I’m doing this for my boyfriend and not myself? What will my parents think? Will anyone understand the way I feel about myself and how much of a difference this is going to make? So , I went home, thought about it, did some more research, read all the documents the office gave me, and I FREAKED OUT!!! Granted, the office informed me the documents were not anything about butterflies and flowers, they did in fact tell me it will make me think, “What the hell am I doing this for?” and that’s exactly what it did. I put that paperwork down for a good week and didn’t touch it. My friend, once again, picked me up, and just talked me through everything I was feeling. I even told her I thought I was going to back out because I was getting so worked up about it. I could see the end result and was soo excited, but for me emotionally to get there was very hard. June 21st: float trip, swim suits, real boobs, fake boobs, and myself. I love being outdoors and I love float trips, but being in a bathing suit and trying to find one with a ton of padding, but at the same time not make it noticeable is a little hard. What if I push my boobs up so much, then I move one inch and one boob falls and the other is pushed up. What will other people be thinking when they see a 26 year old who looks like a little boy in her swim suit? Those are just a few thoughts going through my mind. My boyfriend, bless his heart, has been so supportive through the whole process. One night, we were watching TV and he said, I have 3 though processes…And I said, “3?? Don’t most people have 2?” 1) He is a veterinarian and he knows the risk of infection is rare so he is not as concerned with surgery as I am because he performs surgery on a regular basis 2) He is going to support me with whatever I want to do. If I get them done, great. If I don’t, he doesn’t care, he likes me the way I am. 3) And the total guy thought process, he had actually gotten excited about the fact of me getting this done. After hearing my friend and I talk about this so much, what boyfriend/husband wouldn’t be excited?? June 21st: My friends consult. – This was more reassurance for me that I was going to go through with this. When I left the office this time, I was of course very anxious about surgery and even got a tear in my eye about the process, but was so ready to get this done. Everyone in the office was fabulous, from the receptionist, to the doctor’s assistant, to the doctor himself. This is the day we scheduled our surgery! August 2nd!! We also sat outside the office and scheduled our mammograms, I was more frightened about this then I was the breast surgery! How are these boney boobs going to be squished by some machine? All I could picture was 2 bricks just smashing my bones (not a good feeling or thought!) July 5th: Mammogram!! Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Yes, it was uncomfortable, but I got through it. I made sure to take 3 ibuprofen an hour before my apt and I made sure when I made my appt. I was not going to be anywhere near “that time of month!” My friend and I did lunch afterward, talked more about our boobies, and got more and more excited. So here we are, every day I am reminded by my best friend how many days we have left. And as of now, it’s 19!!! I have finished reading my paperwork, I was accepted for a credit card and will make my final payment this week sometime. Please, if you are reading this, if you pray, pray for me. If that’s not your thing, that’s totally fine, just send some positive thoughts our way! Any advice, any words of wisdom, ANYTHING would be much appreciated. I will continue to update this as much as I can, and I wish all you ladies out there the best of luck with your process and procedure! May we all be happy in our skin and just as beautiful as we were before we got this done!!
