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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

8 Months Later and Happy

ORIGINAL POST

I had my BA in 1996, one week after my 18th...

Happier
WORTH IT$6,000

I had my BA in 1996, one week after my 18th birthday. At the time I was insecure and had for some reason become obsessed with having big breasts. The thing is, I was never small to begin with. I was always about a C-cup so, objectively, there was really no reason for me to get them. But I somehow got the idea in my head and ran with it. Looking back, I think I was trying to distract myself from dealing with other things that were going on in my life.

So, fast-forward 16 years…now I am 34 years old and a completely different person than I was back then. I am happy and healthy and finally able to accept myself for who I am. I am comfortable in my body for the first time in, well, EVER. Now I am at the point that having these huge fake things on my chest just does not fit my personality or who I am at all.

I have been unhappy with my implants for years and knew that eventually I would have to replace them and get a lift because they have sagged over the years. I never thought it was an option to just remove them without putting new ones back in. Then I came upon this site and a few others like it and it was like a whole new door opened up! I decided almost immediately that this is what I had to do, and I have felt so happy since I made the decision.

So, my stats are: 32G bra-size now, implants under the muscle. They are very low and very bottomed out. I am not sure how many CC’s I have because when I was 18 years old I didn’t ask (can you believe it!) Oh, also, about three months after the first surgery I had to have a revision because the left breast was noticeably higher than the right, and the right had double-bubble.

At this point, I just can’t wait to get them out! I look at everyone’s lovely pictures on this site and wish so much that mine were already out. I can’t wait to feel light and free and be able to BREATHE again!

I have gone on three consultations and am trying to decide between two doctors at this point. These two doctors have two completely different recommendations—one says to just remove them and do nothing and they will look fine. The other one says she will reposition and lift all the tissue, raise the creases, and decrease the nipple size. I can’t decide which option to choose. One day I think I just want to take them out and wait and see if I need a lift, the next day I start thinking I might get a really bad result and should just do everything at once. The thing that worries me about not doing a lift at the same time is that my creases are so low that I think I may end up having sort of a double-crease with my own breast tissue lying disconnected on top of the empty pockets (does that make sense?) I am so confused…

Happier's provider

Gabriel Chiu, DO

Gabriel Chiu, DO

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Happier
1 month pre

I'm thinking of going back to get a second consult...

Happier
I'm thinking of going back to get a second consult with the two doctors I'm considering to help me make a decision regarding removing them with or without a lift. This indecision is awful! If I could have them out today I would do it! Honestly, I just want to have it over with!

Replies (13)

November 9, 2012
Yes that makes sense....just wanted to say though that your boobs look great with the implants, so im sure that they will look great after. Mine on the other hand are a completely different look. I want removal with lift and i went for a consultation and surgeon said he recomended removal first then wait 3 months to see how skin retracts before lift. However there are lots of women who have done it all in one sitting on this site and have had the most amazing results. Im just waiting to see if my NHS service will remove mine but still havent had an answer. Hoping to go implant free for a time as id like another child and hopefully be able to BF the next one. Thats if i can cope with 2 flops of skin for a year or more...:(...good luck.xx
November 9, 2012
Thanks, BrightonBird. It's funny how different doctors have such different ideas of what is best. One of my consults said "absolutely don't do a lift at the same time," another one said "why would you wait?," and the other one suggested deflating them a few weeks before to see how they would look. This would involve sticking a needle into them and sucking out the saline, which completely freaks me out!
November 9, 2012
If it helps, my dr said that he prefers to do the removal first, then wait a bit to see what the result is. This leaves the options open for a lift later, or if I am really unhappy with the result even a smaller implant. But hopefully it is not required to do either. But I can understand how you would think rather have one operation and get it done with. Good luck with deciding.
November 9, 2012
Yes, I think I'm leaning towards waiting to have a lift until after they heal and I can see what I'm really dealing with. Thanks for the input!
November 11, 2012
Tinker, feel free to read some of what my PS has said regarding lifts...short version = real breasts droop - period. He does what people want but says that implant look does not equal true breast look - that fullness on top is abnormal - not a "good" result, as some women believe - look & look & look, and your own definition of what a breast lift "need" looks like may actually change! Mine has. Be faithful to wear your sports bra, because you are young & no doubt will see more post-op skin retraction than I ever will. Good luck with your spectacularly freeing decision! =)
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November 9, 2012
Hi, I am getting mine out on the 22nd. I want to do a fatgraft later on, I was planning to do it at the same time too, but my PS said to let is heal first, and I think its good to do so. Get them out, wait for a while, and then decide what you want to do, that way they say, it can bounce back and the PS can do a better job. That is what I am going to do
November 10, 2012
Thank you and good luck on your surgery!
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November 10, 2012
Regarding a lift, as you have seen many ladies had one at the same time. When I first started thinking about explanting, I found a site on the net (dont think it was this one, but could have been) that was a Q&A addressed to surgeons. Many said to wait 6 months as as the breasts contract and settle, you may not need one. So when my surgeon asked me the same question, I told him what I had read and he agreed. So I did not have one and will wait 6 months. At this point, I don't think I will need one. Also, my nipples shrunk considerably after the implants came out as they put pressure on them and stretched them out! So take in all the info so you can make an educated decision, and good luck!
November 10, 2012
Hi Tinkerbell, all the best with your final decision. It is a rollercoaster of a ride for you too! Whatever you decide fall on us for support--which i see you are already doing. If you go without the lift you have to listen to the surgeon about doing nothing for a while as the breast does change quite dramatically within that year (fingers crossed!!). I have to believe/ listen to the experts: but you are pulled in 2 directions as you have conflicting advice. Yes i agree you need to speak with them again. Good luck xx i will follow your post
UPDATED FROM Happier
1 month pre

I was just talking to my husband and telling him...

Happier
I was just talking to my husband and telling him how much smaller I'm going to be once I get explanted. I told him I'll probably be about half the size I am now. I am just trying to prepare him so he isn't totally shocked when it happens, but you should have seen the terrified look on his face! He's a self-proclaimed "boob man" and although he says he supports me, I know he would love it if I kept the implants in forever. I had them when we met and for reasons I don't understand, he loves them. I guess for some men bigger is just better. Today he said, "but they're still going to look good, right?" At this point I just wanted to punch him in the face. I mean really, how selfish can he be? Then he sort of tried to backtrack and said, "I'm sure I'll still like them," to which I said, "That's fine, but I really don't care if you do or not!" We were kind of kidding around, but I realized it is true that I don't really care what he thinks at this point. I want him to be attracted to me but not at the expense of my comfort and health...Then he said, "I love the stretch marks on them." Honestly, the things he says sometimes! Maybe he was trying to be accepting, but it sounded sort of like a backhanded compliment to me.

Have your husbands/significant others been supportive? I'm starting to think this will be kind of a test to our relationship.

Replies (10)

November 11, 2012
There are times my thoughts about others here are best left unsaid. This, probably being one of them; but, I am 'faceless' here, so to speak, so I'm going to mess up your page for a moment. First, I'm sorry you're going through this, and that you have to feel a rocky foundation of support from your husband. Hopefully, he'll clear his thinking. I'll just speak from my own personal experience for a moment. When two people profess to 'commit' to one another, in marriage, it has then gone beyond, the surface, to encompass anything, and everything life can throw at us, together. The vows, if spoken with a true heart, should from that moment on, seek the inner beauty of each other. A car accident, a fire, an illness, a stroke, paralysis, etc, can and will change an 'outside' appearance of a beloved. These are things we vow to overcome, together. Because the deeper beauty has been found from within. So few of us have that in real life. Your health, is important. For today, and in your future. I wish you the strength to do what's best for you, and that your husband sees beyond your flesh, and into your heart. Apologies if I offended in any way. xo
November 12, 2012
SO profound!
November 12, 2012
Hi Relieved- Thank you for your comments and no, you have not offended me. The true, loving relationship you speak of is one that I want, one that I long for. And I do love my husband and I know he loves me. But I have changed and grown a lot since we first got married (for the better). I now know I what I need to feel loved and, unfortunately, sometimes it doesn't seem as though my husband is capable of that. He has said he supports this decision but, honestly, it is the true look of horror that I see in his eyes when I talk about getting explanted that really spooks me. It makes me feel like he doesn't really see the real me. I am finally at a place where I accept myself and I just wish he could do the same. I guess only time will tell. I have faith. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. xo
November 12, 2012
spoken from the heart. You are incredibly lucky Relieved to have such a wonderful man, i too am lucky and i must confess that sometimes i do not appreciate him as much as i should. (wish all our husband partners would take a look at this site to see what pain/ suffering/ laughs etc we share--then maybe they really will have more of an understanding. I did get my hubby to read some of my earlier posts, he was overwhelmed , like me, by all the support!
November 12, 2012
Oh Tinkerbell, such an emotional ride! I really do hope your husband comes good for you and supports you. Beauty is on the inside not the outside. Like relieved said we all took our marriage vows, for better for worse. He should really support you on this one. This is all about your health. Good for you for holding your head high and going for it. You will feel so much better after the explant i am sure. I have my fingers crossed it all turns out ok, we are here for you xxxxx
November 12, 2012
Thank you Reed69, I really do appreciate the support!
November 12, 2012
It's so funny how our stories are so similar! And yes husbands say very silly things, but try not to take it to heart because I am sure they are just as nervous about surgery and outcome as we are, and when they get nervous things just fall out of their mouths!!!
November 12, 2012
I know, I just try to tune him out a lot of the time. And I read your profile and we do have a lot in common! Good luck with your impending surgery as well!
November 13, 2012
Hi Tinkerbell, I hope things are going well for you. Any idea on a date yet? Keep us posted. xo
November 14, 2012
Actually I have a second consult today with the surgeon I liked best, so if all goes well I may book a date today!