52 and Sick of the Anxiety with Potential Rupture - Australia

I am lucky enough to be able to share a photo pre-implants in 2004, after breastfeeding three babies. I had 240 silicon gel implants and all went well until 2013 when I found lumps under my right armpit, this was then seen in an MRI as silicon in a couple of the lymph nodes. It's not clear how this happened as there were no signs of a rupture. It's been suggested a "gel burst" or "gel sweating" on the outside of the implant itself. This sounds shocking I know, but realistically its not life threatening and the swelling of the lymph node could also be aggravated by a foreign presence and could shrink over time.

With this presented to me, my breast surgeon and I decided to change the implants and I took an opportunity to step up slightly in size to 255 silicon gel implants.
Fast forward 18 months to March 2015 and I have just had a recent MRI and ultrasound as I was continually anxious about the lumps under my arm and was recommended by my breast surgeon to talk with a breast oncologist so that I could be under her care and watchful eye (this was more for my peace of mind). So the MRI and ultrasound was for her to have an up to date complete picture of where I am at.

This revealed an intra-capsular rupture on the left implant. I called my breast oncologist and told her I want them out and she said there was no point coming in to see her then and I should go straight to my surgeon to discuss options.

After speaking with my breast surgeon, he wasn't convinced there was a rupture, but that there was a slight fold in the implant which can present as a rupture. After discussions with him and the anxiety I was experiencing, I have decided to take out my implants. In doing so we are going to take a wait and see approach and give my natural breast time to recover and then make the decision to lift or not. I am 52 years old now and am a petite blonde with slim build and love to exercise.

My only concern is I don't know what bra size to buy. To my delight Heidi Klum has brought in a pretty bra line and has an "A cup" if that is where I end up and also Pleasure State. Even the Bendon sport bra has an "A cup" if need be. Originally I was a B.

Going in next week I am excited! I know this is the right decision for me and am not worried about possible complications regarding the appearance of my breasts and am prepared to wait and see whether there is a breast lift needed. To be honest, I can't wait to be free and my husband (gotta love him) says he loved my own breasts and doesn't care what the result will be as long as I am happy (married 22 years, 3 kids). So I have pre-implant photos and 2nd implant photos. Watch this space when I am comfortable taking "after explant" photos.

Just had the call from the hospital and am booked in at 2pm tomorrow. This is really happening and I can't wait. Spoke with my surgeon today to discuss the procedure and what happens to the capsule (membrane) surrounding the implants etc. and he will do what's necessary. I have full faith in him and can't wait to have the weight lifted off my chest! Ill have a lovely rest in hospital for the night and hopefully over the weekend will post on how I feel. There's no lift as he wants to wait and see down the track so that's that ladies. How exciting...

HI lovely ladies. I'm sitting in my hospital room, they are out and I feel good. I went in about 3.30pm and my surgeon came to have a chat beforehand. He marked the original scar just at the ends so he could remove it, looked at the side profile and commented about not too much of a drop (maybe because it's been behind the muscle). Woke up, all done. I had shaking while in recovery (that's the effects of the anaesthetic) then back to my room. I'm bandaged with a compression bandage but not too tight. My daughter arrived with lovely Thai soup for both of us and my sister and niece arrived with white chocolate muffins - I'm in heaven. So far no pain. I've just been given one little pill called endone and that should take me through the night. I have drains but minimal in them. I'm looking forward to a restful night. Huge hugs and thanks for all the support. Will post progress photos x