Thank you all for sharing your stories. I never thought that removing implants without getting a lift was even an option - but after reading so many reviews/photos with really nice results I have finally worked up the courage to get the ball rolling! But I am so nervous.
I got my implants back in 2009 at age 20. I was a 32A and wanted perky 32C (silly me!!), but ended up with 32DD. Subglandular 325cc Eurosilicone impants via armpit incision. I always thought they were way too big, but was very happy to not have any complications and they looked good. Now I am 29 years/50kg/no kids and I want them out. While I have no physical issues with them, I feel so silly and embarrassed for even having implants in the first place because it is so not me. I plan on having kids/breastfeeding in the next couple of years so I feel now is a good time to have them removed.
I am so scared of how the result is going to be like, especially since the implants are so big and subglandular is said to cause more sagging. I do not want a lift or to replace the implants.
I am very unsure as to whether I should have a complete capsulectomy or not. It seems people and doctors are strongly disagreeing on this topic. The thought of removing the capsule and all the nasty chemicals and things that come with it sounds very refreshing to me and is what I am leaning towards. After recommendations from this page, I have finally booked a consultation with Dr Anoop Rastogi in 2 weeks and from what I understand he always removes the capsule. I hope I feel better after I see him as now I feel extremely anxious..
Stay tuned.
Updated on 21 Mar 2018:
I’m really on the fence as to whether I should have my surgery here in Sydney (where I live) or in Norway when I go home to visit family for 3 weeks later this year. For some reason, it is considerably cheaper in Norway than in Australia ($4000 vs. $8500+). However it would make my life a lot easier having it here and it would provide some peace of mind, especially should I have any complications after... Is 3 weeks enough time to have the surgery and any follow-ups after? I will be working most of the 3 weeks (in an office) because I don’t have much annual leave I can take off work.
Updated on 18 Apr 2018:
Had a great consultation with Dr Rastogi a few weeks ago and he was wonderful. We talked over everything, where I’m coming from regarding this and options and recommendations on how to go about it.
He have given me 2 options:
(1) crease incision with total capsulectomy - his only worry is that because apparently my crease was surgically lowered when I got the implants (and the original incision was via armpit) he has to make an estimation on where my natural crease is as he says the crease will retract to its natural position after the explant and he doesn’t want the scars to be too far down (or too far up!).. thankfully I have pictures taken before and straight after the BA that he will use to estimate where the incision should be made. Alternatively:
(2) to use the original incision (armpit), remove the implants and part of the lower part of the capsule to avoid fluids to build up inside. He said this is not something he normally does, but he is willing to to avoid making a new scar that may potentially be in the wrong position.
I have thought very long and hard about whether to go with option 1 or 2, but have decided on option 1 via crease which is wha the Dr also indicated he was leaning towards. I feel much more confident him doing a “standard procedure” he has done many times before than something “new”. Moreover, another reason why I want the capsule out - my implants are textured (which I didn’t realise)!!
But now I have another worry added to things that may go wrong.. what if the crease doesn’t retract to its natural position and the incision will be on the lower part of the breasts!! My doctor says I should not be needing internal sutures, but I can see from some of the Q&As on this page that other doctors says you do... I guess as with everything, it’s case by case..
Surgery booked in for 27 April. So soon, but cannot wait to get this over with. Feel sick in my stomach just thinking about it.
Sorry if I come across as very negative, that’s not my intentions!! I’m doing this because I want to live a life without implants and I’m excited. But just so scared..
ANXIETY
Updated on 23 Apr 2018:
Surgery is in 4 days, this is becoming very real very fast!! I am very excited, but terrified. I am really glad I found this page because I never really thought removing implants was an option without your breasts looking like two empty balloons. I have read so many success stories which really is what is giving me the courage to go through with this. But there are also some very unfortunate results ones too and my heart really goes out to those women <3
I am having a hard time focusing on other things at the moment which is hard because I haven't told ANYONE (except my partner who is overseas right now) that I am doing this. I guess I don't want any unnecessary attention drawn to the surgery as I do not know what mind-set I will be in after.
I looked at an explant surgery on YouTube the other day - maybe not the best idea as it is pretty hard to digest!!
Getting ready for Friday...!! Tonight I am going to clean my apartment so it is ready for me to take it easy all weekend.
Organise day off work - check
Pay surgery fees - check
Pick up prescriptions - check
Macom minimiser compression bras - check
Dermatix silicone gel for scar reduction - check
Updated on 27 Apr 2018:
Back from the hospital! Had my explant surgery approx. 7 hours ago! I am in absolutely no pain and are not on any pain meds - although I suspect it may be some in my system from earlier!
I was extremely anxious when I arrived at the hospital and could not help myself from crying hysterically from time to time. The nurses were all so lovely and were really looking after me, they could see (from my hysterical crying) how upset I was. Why was I so upset? I was scared over being "put under"; I was scared something would go wrong during surgery; I was scared to wake up with deformed/distorted breasts; I was scared I made the wrong decision by going with the surgeon I did; I was unsure and scared to choose the wrong option on whether to go in via armpit or crease, and to leave the capsule or not.
I had my final chat with Dr. Rastogi and bear in mind at this point I still haven't made up my mind as to which option I want to go for. On one hand, I had started to really lean towards removing implants via my old armpit incision to avoid new scarring, however this carries extra risks as there is less visibility and access for the surgeon should anything go wrong or need to be fixed (e.g. bleeding) and it would be very difficult to remove anything of the capsule. On the other side, because explant via the crease is the standard and the "easiest" way, I felt this carried less risks and better potential for a nice result. One of the concerns with this incision was that Dr Rastogi had to determine where my natural crease was before I had the crease surgically lowered when getting implants so that he could make the incision here (to avoid the incision/scar being too far down or up(. Another worry that went through my mind was if my breasts really would contract back to its natural crease, even after 9 years with such big implants. We decided via crease is the way to go.
And now - the final, most stressful and controversy choice - should I leave the capsule in or remove it completely! I had no issues with my implants, they were intact and very soft, but I follow many breast implant illness groups where everyone state you HAVE to remove capsule en bloc style as ALL implants will eventually make you sick and I have also been reading about the link between textured implants’ link to a very rare cancer (anaplastic large cell lymphoma). I do not have breast implant illness symptoms and appreciate the link to ALCL is extremely rare, but I wanted to get the capsule out for a piece of mind. For me it made sense to remove them both for a “new beginning” implant AND capsule free. However, others say that removing the capsule causes unnecessary trauma and carries higher risk of deformity to the breast - which was my biggest fear. Dr Rastogi strongly encouraged removing all or at least part of the capsule to prevent fluid build up and breast distortion from the small possibility of capsular contracture (which can in fact happen even after the explant!!). We agreed and concluded he would go in and remove as much of the capsules as possible, however if part of the capsule was too difficult to remove and could cause tissue damage he would leave it be. After our chat I felt a million times better and finally 100% confident I made the right choice in both surgeons and procedure.
Surgery was a breeze. My implants were in tact and very thin and Dr Rastogi ended up performing a radial capsulotomy (I believe he removed the front part of the capsule, leaving behind the “back part” as it was more difficult to remove). 2 hours later I was on my way home, no nausea and no pain.
I have drains, which are incredibly annoying, and really the only thing I think that is making me home-bound this weekend. I feel like great! Completely pain free and so happy with my new little boobies. I am complexity amazed how much they have already bounced back. I think I even like them better than pre-implant!! And it’s only 7 hours in so I am still waiting for the fluff fairy and expect lots of change in the next few weeks. The front view is better than I ever hoped for, but they do cave in over the nipple as seen from the side, which I of course hope will look better down the track. And btw, Dr Rastogi is the best and did a superb job in estimating my crease. It seems the incision was made in the exact right spot. Ahhh wow, I’m feeling SO HAPPY and relieved. I was really struggling with anxiety/depression leading up to the explant and it was hard to go through that alone, but I now know it will all be fine :-)
Best vibes to all you explanters out there that is healing or considering removing your implants. Thank you all for sharing and for giving me the courage and strength!!
Updated on 27 Apr 2018:
Day 1 after explanting. Slept well. Feeling in top shape and spirits and still not on any painkillers. Only thing that is really bothering me are these drains haha they are sooo in the way and I am scared to accidentally pull them! Managed to hide them when I went to the market this morning, but deff cannot go to work with these so they better come out on Monday morning (which is the plan!)!
I don't see too much change in the girls from yesterday, but I love how they feel - super soft like jelly and my body temperature!! I thought my implants felt soft, but they really had nothing on these natural little boobies!!
SO MUCH YAY
Updated on 17 May 2018:
Hey hey, sorry I have gone quiet There is not too much to tell, but I will give you a little timeline of my last few weeks.
Day 3 (post surgery)
Had my drains out (WOHOOO IM FREEE) and there was very little fluid. Surgical tape also came off and scars looked better than anticipated. But I have to rectify my comment from my previous post, the scars are actually not 100% in the crease, they are current sitting approx. 1cm from the crease on the underside of my breasts, but you can't really tell so I don't mind. Started wearing compression after drains were taken out and putting silicone scar gel on my scars twice a day. Went back to work same day.
Day 10
Went back for my day 10-day check up and to my big disappointment the nurses and Dr Rastogi were wondering if there might be some fluid collection going on because of the the very jelly-feel of my breasts - however, as they hadn't changed much in size since the drains came out, they wondered if it could perhaps just be the feel of my natural breasts. Dr Rastogi tried to drain them to be sure and there was NO FLUIDS!! YAY!! JUST ALL NATURAL BREASTS :D But to be 100% sure Dr Rastogi suggested I go get an ultrasound.
Day 13
Had an ultrasound and it thankfully showed minimal fluids (less than 5ml) which is normal and no reason for concern or drainage as it will naturally be absorbed. Dr Rastogi gave me the clear to stop wearing compression.
Day 20
I don't feel I've seen a dramatic change since the day of my explant, but my skin has definitely contacted and gotten firmer. I love the look and feel of my new (old) boobies and could not been happier with the results. I guess I didn't realise how much I didn't like my implants until I took them out because I now feel sooo much more confident about my body!! I need to go shopping for more V-neck tops :)
This is probably my last update here unless anything drastic happens :) Best wishes to all you ladies out there explanting or considering explanting - I am so happy I did [RS bleep] <3
Updated on 17 May 2018:
Oh noes, my photos didn't upload. Here you go. Hasta la vista x