I've finally booked my explant date! Here's my details:
Age: 31
Implants: 11 years old, 315cc saline, under muscle
Pre BA: size 32A (didn't fill completely), 120 lbs
Currently: size 32D, 130 lbs...and I'm 5'6"
Reasons for explant: never like how they felt. Very aware of their foreignness. Uncomfortable working out and sleeping. Too big. Feel ripples. Unnatural and not like real breast tissue. I miss small boobs. I feel fake and as if implants no longer align with who I am mentally (mature, self loving/accepting), or physically (into health, organic living, fitness). As a mom I also want to set a positive example. I don't want future surgery to replace them and I worry about complications like BII, CC, etc.
**Luckily, I don't suffer from breast implant illness and I haven't had any issues with them, like CC, rupture, etc.
**I am still breastfeeding a 1.5 year old.
For the above reasons, I am having my implants removed under local anesthesia and leaving capsules in. It is an easy recovery without pain meds, I can still BF and take care of my toddler, and it is more affordable and less invasive.
Feeling nervous! However, I'm so encouraged by all of the women on this site! Thanks to anyone who's shared their experiences. [RS bleep]
Updated on 11 Jul 2017:
Only 1 more week until my removal. I am starting to get nervous now. I just got my prescription antibiotic, Valium and pain meds.
Things I'm worried about:
Pain
My husband reaction
Breastfeeding after surgery
Sleeping on my back
Taking care of my son
Aesthetic results (I'm human after all)
Infection
Seroma/complications
Things I look forward to:
Small boobs
Soft boobs
Sleeping on my stomach
Working out without implants
Not feeling the rippling/plastic-y bags
Being natural
Anyway, I know I'd never have the courage to do this before I found this site. Thanks ladies who have shared! I will post pics soon.
Updated on 11 Jul 2017:
Here I am currently. 315cc implants, saline, under muscle.
I am breastfeeding still and mostly on one side, so that is the reason for the asymmetry. I was very symmetrical before. So my larger breast has a lot of milk right now since I just took these during nap time! Lol
Updated on 17 Jul 2017:
Im really getting anxious. I'm so afraid I'm going to look deformed or have a complication like an infection. So many women say breastfeeding has "ruined" their breasts and that's why the get implants. Well, I don't like feeling these implants in me anymore...but I've been breastfeeding for almost 2 years. I'm very afraid of what my natural breasts will look like. Also the implants have been in there 11 years! I sure hope my skin retracts and I look normal. Please send me good vibes for Thursday ladies!!!
I hope I can heal and put this all behind me. I hope I can learn to love the new me. I hope I never feel the need to get implants again.
Updated on 20 Jul 2017:
Oddly I feel more calm today than I did yesterday or the day before. I think I just know I mad the decision to do this and it's going to happen no I will be just fine afterwards. It truly helps I have received lots of supportive messages as well. Thanks ladies! I'll post later today or tomorrow...will have to see how I feel.
Updated on 20 Jul 2017:
Just finished up. It was a breeze! Maybe 30 min. I only felt minor squishing and tugging which actually made me laugh. I'm super ticklish! E doctor and his team were super sweet and talked me through it all. I feel so light and free already! So far, I'm SO HAPPY it's done! I wasn't an emotional wreck like I thought I'd be. I may have tough days to come with the aesthetic of my breasts but I'm sure it will all be fine, especially with my wonderful husband and friends...and ladies on here!
Updated on 21 Jul 2017:
I will post a written update later today, once toddler is napping! :)
All is well!
Updated on 21 Jul 2017:
Updated on 21 Jul 2017:
I am feeling fine. I am a very emotional person and thought I would be a mess and this would all be very traumatic, however I haven't cried or felt sad once. I think this website has helped me tremendously! I had a good idea of what to expect and my results so far are about what I thought, if not slightly better. The only hard part so far has been sleeping on my back. My incisions are sore. I am taking Motrin and not my prescribed pain meds.
I feel so much relief in my chest. Having them out now I can tell how tight they felt under my muscle and now I feel light, free, and more normal. When I lift something I don't have that strange squeezing implant feeling or that flex issue. I'm really looking forward to working out now!
Breastfeeding is going great, no issues at all. My son did cry when he first saw my breasts and that was tough. He's almost two so he notices things. I explained I have a "boo boo" and it's ok. Ever since he's been fine with them. I have to keep reminding him to "be gentle", as I worry about him pulling and hurting the incisions.
I really am happy I removed them. I haven't shown my husband my smaller breasts, only the bigger one. Lol...I'm more afraid he will be a little scared. Of course I wish they looked more the same, but it is ok. I am going to have more children and BF so I know they will continue to change. My smaller breasts is a little wrinkly and the nipple sinks in some. Hopefully that will improve with time.
My new motto is my boobs are sisters, not twins!
Updated on 27 Jul 2017:
It's been one week since my explant. It's amazing how quickly I have gotten used to small, soft, natural breasts! I am so happy I did this finally! I have not felt any regret, depression, or sadness about my surgery or my new body. I know some people may have a harder emotional journey, but I really researched this and spent hours contemplating it. So I think that is why I am feeling so fine about it all.
I don't see much change in the appearance of my boobs. I think they do feel more firm and not as "loose" as the day of surgery. My right breast (smaller one) wrinkles some when I bend over, lay down, or stand with bad posture. I added a pic of this. The nipple sinks in slightly still. I love my other left breast! Of course, I wish they both looked like this...but I know I can't make that happen. I also know my body isn't done changing. I am going to have more kids and breastfeed and age. Besides I think the padded sports bra hides the size difference okay. It is more noticeable without the implants for sure though. I prefer flowing tops and sports bras anyway, so I'll continue to wear them.
I'm sleeping on my side and it feels great! I know once the incisions are healed it will only get better!
I feel so light! It's really awesome being natural and not having those weights under my muscles! I am just enjoying every aspect of daily life more.
The only challenge was showing my husband. He says he loves me no matter what and will always think I'm beautiful. He's sweet and my best friend, so I am so glad he's been so supportive and kind. I wish is never ruined my breasts with the implants, but then again, maybe it's a gift. I now really love my natural body and I never want implants again.
Please let me know if anyone ha questions. Good luck to any lady out there going on this journey!!!
Updated on 16 Aug 2017:
Almost one month already! I just wanted to update: I feel great! However I haven't noticed any changes in appearance. My breasts do feel firmer and like the tissue has settled.
I'm just enjoying daily life better without the implants. Sleeping, breastfeeding, exercising, are all more comfortable. I feel lighter and it's great.
The only thing that bums me sometimes is the size difference of my breasts. It's hard to hide and hard to find bras. But it is ok!
No regrets!! If you want to explant, just do it! [RS bleep]
Updated on 13 Jul 2020:
It’s been a long time! Since my ex plant three years ago I have had another pregnancy and breastfed that baby. It was wonderful to go through that without implants. I didn’t have that engorged feeling or discomfort. Unfortunately, I had same issue with right breast not letting down milk even tho it makes milk, which results in baby preferring left side and my right going smaller as milk supply decreases.
Through research I think I have some nerve damage from my original breast augmentation which affects let down of my milk. My breasts are currently still very uneven in size.
Here’s how I’m feeling:
I don’t regret removing my implants
I DO regret getting them in the first place.
I’ve had a hard time accepting that I chose to ruin my muscles, have scars, muscle flex deformity and stretched saggy boobs by getting implants when I was 20. I wish I’d have stayed all natural!
Removing my implants has felt great. I love soft natural boobs. However, I am unhappy with the look of my breasts. I’m fine with small and saggy but I hate my scars...I hate my flex deformity....I hate my Areolas and nipples sink inward (because they’re so stretched out and have zero tissue beneath to support them). They don’t look or feel like breasts should look and feel. They feel empty/hollow skin. My husbands has more firm/dense feeling breast lol.
Seriously I have zero tissue and I don’t gain weight in my boobs at all. I cannot get a lift or anything because of lack of tissue.
So my only options are:
1) accept this body and live with it, try to love it and move on (I’ve been trying to do this option)
2) get implants again
I do not want to get implants again. But I have thought about it a few times. It just feels like the solution to my problems cannot but the same as what caused my problems (getting implants). So I don’t think I can go through with ever getting implants again.
I still encourage anyone looking to explant to go ahead and do it. More than likely you will look and feel great! Especially if your natural breasts are at least a full A cup. I only have issues because I really am so flat naturally. I’d be over the moon if I had even a little tissue to fluff out my nipple and look “normal”. Anyway, I will try to check in and answer any questions or comments as honestly as possible.
Best of luck to anyone on this journey! It isn’t easy!
Updated on 6 Jul 2021:
Another year later and I feel the same as I did a year ago. I am not happy with my current appearance and deformed. I have extreme asymmetry and saggy empty breasts. My nipples sink inward and my flex deformity is the same.
I constantly try hide my breasts and I hate for them to be touched. It’s embarrassing.
I am at the point I am having a little regrets about removing my implants now, because I didn’t have any issues like BII or contractures…they looked fine and were much better than what I have now.
Now, if I want to fix them I have to have another surgery and pay thousands of dollars… I’m so sad about that. I’m a mother and don’t want to do the risks or recovery of another procedure and I feel selfish to spend that money on myself.
I definitely think i will do something though…
I’ve recieved many comments about fat transfer and I am researching that
I am not getting a lift. I have zero tissue and do not want to be flat with large scars.
So I will either do a fat transfer or implants again.
I’m going to continue to research these options before I decide.
I’d love to hear experiences of women who’ve had an explant and then got implants again or had a fat transfer after explant.
Best wishes to everyone. Hope this honest review helps someone and I’ll answer questions when i can. Good luck to anyone with making a decision. It’s hard. Such is life!