42yo-Scheduled 9/30/15-465cc-saline Under Muscle-12yrs Old-Explant Only-No Lift or Revisions-No Kids - Albuquerque, NM

Hi. I've been lurking here for months. I'm 42 years old, 5'4, 120pounds and have had my 465cc Saline implants for just about 12 years now. This is so hard to write. I've been sick for about 8 years now. Severe Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, neck and back pain, severe anxiety, and the list just goes on and on. I am now totally and permanently disabled. Wow. It's just a lot when I actually put it into words.

If I remember correctly I was a 32a, and at the age of 30 I decided I wanted to look better. So, after discussing it with my husband, I decided to get breast implants. My husband questioned my decision quite a few times and I should've listened to him. (Just don't ever tell him I admitted he was right!!!!lol) I wanted a full C cup and ended up with a very full D cup. I remember waking up from surgery and it felt like there was an elephant sitting on my chest. I don't think I ever really remember thinking I looked better after the surgery. Which is kind of ironic, because I did it to look better.

Anyway, I told my wonderful hubby that I thought maybe the implants were causing some of my health issues. He said, " If there is a possibility that you will feel better with them out, get it done!" I expressed my fears of how I might look afterwards, and that I thought that he would not find me attractive anymore. He told me he knew that I would cry for awhile, and that I'd be the one that had to adjust to a major appearance change to my body. He said that he'll love me either way, and that he didn't marry me for my boobs. (At which point we both laughed, because I didn't really have any when he fell in love with me and married me!) He just wants me to be healthy and happy.

So, I started to research. I showed him RealSelf. We talked in length about having it done. I told him that I worried about the cost. He told me to not be ridiculous, and that I couldn't put a price on my health. I have a feeling he would sell his soul to the devil, if it meant that I'd feel better. I kept telling him...."Well, I'll get around to making an appointment with my original plastic surgeon, and we'll see what options I have."

The next morning....my husband called me to let me know I had an appointment in two weeks. He called and explained what I wanted and set up everything. He went with me to the appointment. Asked questions that I couldn't remember...that I had mentioned in our talks at home. We scheduled my surgery date for September 30, 2015. I had my pre-op appt on September 16, 2015 to answer any new questions, get prescriptions for pain meds and antibiotics, and pay the balance for the surgery.

I will say that my doctor is great. He had my file from over 12 years ago. He waived part of the surgeon's fee. I'm not very good with stress and pain. We all agreed that I should be put under general anesthesia for the procedure. I think we all wanted to avoid an hysterical 42 year old woman "freaking out" during an in office procedure. If I had known that it was possible to not be permanently "disfigured" by explant alone, and that it wasn't going to cost $10k to undo what I've done...I would have done this years ago.

So, here I sit. Anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time. In just 2 days I'll be changing my life. Hopefully for the better. I know that I wouldn't be able to do this without the support of my absolutely wonderful husband. He is my everything.

I just want to accomplish a few things:
Feel better
Look better
Sleep on my stomach (this is a biggie...or at least for me it is)

I don't know if I'll ever be brave enough to add photos. I'll take some before and afters and talk with the hubby. My original implants were put in through my armpit, and that's the way they are coming out. My surgeon says I shouldn't need drains, but leaves the possibility open since things on the outside might not show problems on the inside. I have a very slight capsular contraction on one side; however, he feels that it should resolve itself through natural absorption.

I know this has been long winded, but if you've made it this far into my ramblings....wish me luck.

Well, I'm on my way and will be checking in at 7:15am.
I'm doing my best to remain calm. Ugh...I just really hate needles. At least I know I'll be asleep soon after.
See you on the flat side!

Everything went well. The right side came out with little to no effort. The left side put up a small fight.

It wasn't the implant, but the previous scar tissue. Where I healed up 12 years ago....from the original incision leading to the implant site. So, needless to say I'm a little more tender on the left.

It's strange, but I forgot what it felt like to be able to get a full breath of air. It feels....for a lack of a better word...wonderful.

I have already peaked at them and I can honestly say that I thought that they would look so much worse than they do.

I know that I'm slightly swollen and do expect them to look more wrinkly tomorrow. They're not saggy...but I didn't have much to start with. If I get any fluffing it'll just be icing on the cake. I just pray for some skin tightening. Oh, and by the way....my nipples are already smaller! Yeah! I assume because they are no longer being stretched over those large implants.

Time to rest. I'll update more tomorrow after my follow up appt.