POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
I did it! 68 year old with 32 year old silicone under the muscle! Gone! Very Happy!
ORIGINAL POST
I have at least one implant leaking and probably...
WORTH IT$6,100
I have at least one implant leaking and probably both. I slipped on the ice and injured myself, allowing for an MRI to see if I had done damage. Yes, for sure I had silicone leaking from the implant into the capsule. Makes sense at this point to allow Dow to pay for me to remain healthy. I cannot say that I have had any problems up until this point but you just never know. I just think that at 69 years of age (in a few months) and having had my silicone implants for 32 years, it makes sense to err on the side of caution.
Back To Just Me's provider
UPDATED FROM Back To Just Me
1 month pre
A few days have gone by since making my decision,...
A few days have gone by since making my decision, meeting and choosing Dr. Darrow, and setting my appointment. I am actually feeling quite calm and good about what I am doing. I actually think that most of it comes from having decided to go with Dr. Darrow as my surgeon. The fact that he was very thorough with his explanation of what to expect, and allowed us to ask any and all questions that we had, was extremely important. He never made me feel that I was taking up too much of his time or that my questions were unimportant. I think he has a good reputation because he has totally earned it.
Replies (5)
March 21, 2013
If you have rupture of silicone implants it should be covered by your health insurance. It is worth looking into. If the PS does not participate with your insurance but will submit a claim for you, it is possible to get some reimbursement. This is the route I will be taking on April 12th. I too have had silicone implants for almost 30 years and at 56 I'm ready to explant. I have many health problems and also will be having en bloc procedure. Good luck and keep posting. This forum is a wonderful and supportive site.
March 21, 2013
Thank you for your comment - I will follow your progress and be cheering you on! I don't think my insurance would help since it is Medicare with a Blue Cross Blue Shield supplement. Fortunately my Explant qualifies for the Dow situation and although I will still have a balance, it isn't too bad and I'm very grateful.
March 21, 2013
Thanks for starting your story on RealSelf! What is the Dow situation you're referring to?
March 22, 2013
The manufacturer of my implants will help pay to have them removed. They were manufactured by Dow Corning.
UPDATED FROM Back To Just Me
28 days pre
Woke up today a little scared for some reason -...
Woke up today a little scared for some reason - can't put my finger on it really, just kind of down and nervous I guess. Implant removal in just about a month. I think I'm worried about a million little things. Will the anesthesia make me sick? Will I be able to function normally in just a few days? What will my breasts look like? I can't afford a lift, but maybe I really, really should have a lift? After the surgery, is there anything I can do to make the end result better? Does it have to do with wrapping them tightly? Does it have to do with the type of sports bra? I could not find one that zipped up the front, hope hooks in the front are ok? My mind is racing all over the place like a crazy person! My boobs are taking over my life!
Replies (21)
March 28, 2013
I'm sorry you are experiencing some apprehension although I think that is quite common. I had the same type of feelings even though I have wanted to do this for so long. Once you know it is going to be a reality it opens your mind to consider the what if's. You just don't have those thoughts until you know you are doing this. I am still on the fence about lift/no lift and my surgery is 15 days away. You can ask your PS office if they provide the post surgical bra and if not what do they recommend. Most of the time it is included with the surgery. I bought a couple of front hook post surgical bras to take with me to show the PS for when I can start wearing bras. I do bra fittings for breast cancer patients so I was able to get mine where I work. They look like sports bras with hooks in the front to put them on. You can find them on line under post surgical bras. I kept emailing my PS office with what must have seemed like silly questions but they always responded quickly and never made me feel like I was bothering them. I hope this helps to ease some of your concerns....and I'm sure you will be hearing from others. You are not alone :-)
March 29, 2013
Thank you so much for responding to me and helping with my questions. I am so excited for you that your surgery date is getting so close; I have read that your doctor is excellent. She was on the same list that I picked mine from and I considered a consultation with her as my brother lives near Cleveland. Do you live close enough so that you will not have a very long drive before and after your surgery? I'm about 2 1/2 hours from mine in Boston so we are driving our motorhome to an RV Park nearby for the first 3 days at surgery time. I forgot to ask him about drains vs no drains so will have to find out when I will have to go back for the first post op visit. Do you know how long before driving is allowed? Probably a very individual thing. Well, again I thank you - it sure helps to have friends here!
March 30, 2013
We live about 400 miles..and my son lives at the half way point. We are staying in Cleveland until the drains are removed then will split the trip and stay at my son's on the way home. We are staying in a two room suite...making sure we are comfy. Yes, this forum is awesome....Keep posting. Happy Easter :-)
April 1, 2013
That sounds like a great plan - how long are the drains left in? Have you been told? I'm kind of hoping my PS will let my doctor at home take the drains out if I have them. I need to sit down tomorrow and begin a list of questions for my PS. Hope you had a nice Easter - the last of our company just left. Time to put my feet up and relax!
April 1, 2013
I asked my PS about having my doctor remove the drains and that was something that she didn't feel comfortable doing. From what her office told me it's important that she make sure everything is healing well and before she removes the drains. Guess that is the best thing since she will know what she did during surgery and what might present a problem post op. had a very nice Easter weekend...good to write down your ?'s that way you won't forget anything. Let me know how it goes. Take care.
April 1, 2013
I'm sure that I will be told the same as you, that he wants to take the drains out himself. That's ok, I understand that, all for the same reasons your doctor told you. It will just be a little inconvenient to go back but that's what makes them good doctors, and what makes us feel confident.
April 1, 2013
I agree...her experience is why I chose her. We are staying in Cleveland until the drains come out and we get the all clear since we are 400 miles away. It means we have to stay in a hotel but we just factored that into the cost of explant. I went into this not letting money dictate what, where and who in making this decision....not that money is not a factor, just not in this case.
April 1, 2013
Oh...you asked about the drains...how long? It will depend on the output of fluid..they can come out when the output is below a certain level determined by your PS. They told me anywhere from 3-5 days for explant and 5-8 days explant with lift...I'm still on the fence about if I will do the lift.
April 2, 2013
I am so excited for you - 8 days and you will be on your way I think! Cleveland Bound! Just know you are going to feel so much better and healthier.
April 2, 2013
I agree on the cost factor - I had a certain amount that I had to stay within and chose to spend it all on the Explant with this particular surgeon; for me that was important. Unfortunately it did not leave enough for a Lift to be a decision really for me. Oh well, will have to depend on a good bra to do the lifting, LOL!
April 2, 2013
Yes....soon I will be on my way to Cleveland. Leaving on the 10th, have an ultrasound and see Dr. Feng on the 11th, explant on the 12th. Busy getting things done around the house so when I get home I can just rest. Getting excited and can't wait to get this part of the journey behind me.
March 30, 2013
I think you will have a good result because the implants are relatively small, and you look like you have a lot of natural tissue. Your skin still looks great, and should contract just fine. I debated on the lift/no lift issue, and opted to no lift and am so glad I did not, as they are not bad at all. I had a Dr. try to talk me into a lift, telling me I'd end up with "horrendous bags of skin"....scary! But they are fine. I'm 4 wks post, and I'm still wearing a pretty tight sports bra. The anesthesia made me a little sick, but the pain meds were worse. I only took one cuz it made me so violently ill, I'd rather deal with incision pain instead. I took tylenol only one day, then it was quite bearable. I just had a straight explant, no capsules, no drains. There are so many questions we have when we are waiting to explant, this forum helps so much. Keep us posted!
March 30, 2013
I agree with IttyBitties- your implants are much smaller than average, and you seem to have a good amount of your own boob in there! They say it's almost impossible to rupture an implant by falling, yet here you are! I was very scared/ worried before my op- there's just so many unknown variables and it's hard to have such an instant change in body appearance. The boob thoughts do seem to crowd everything else out! I don't think you should worry about a lift- honestly at 69, who cares if your nipples don't point towards the sky? I'm 34 and I don't care if mine do, either! ;) From all the post-explant pics I have seen (which = A LOT!!!), I would wager that you will look pretty similar after removal, but obviously smaller and minus the upper pole. You are going to love how much slimmer you will look in clothes! Hoping everything goes smoothly for you and that you are pleased with your outcome!
April 1, 2013
Thank you, Anxious! We're probably all a bit anxious prior to surgery....you're only 3 yrs older than I am, and you're right, 'it's time'. Good luck! Birdie said she found a great Fruit of the Loom bra, front closing with hooks, at WalMart. She said it worked great. Maybe your doc will have some ideas on compresssion bras, too.
April 2, 2013
I did find and buy two of those bras at WalMart - figuring out size is kind of interesting; fortunately only the band size came into play. Verana do you know what type of anesthesia you are having? I have decided to be nervous about that now; every day I have a new thing!
April 2, 2013
Is there a model name or number on the bras? I'll go get them, too. As for the anesthesia, I just want to be knocked out & wake up when it's over, smiling! It's so much easier - just like my colonoscopy -- the anesthesilogist asked if I could roll onto my side, next thing they said was here's some OJ & you can get dressed & go home now...:) I can't imagine doing something as big as an explant with a local....besides, I don't want to hear anything....ignorance is bliss, right?
April 3, 2013
They are Fruit of The Loom #96014 Cotton Shape and Support Comfort Front Close Bra $7.94. (can't beat the price) Laughed out loud at your comment about the colonoscopy! I went the same way, wake me when it's over! But, I did read a lot today just to be sure, and 98% of the surgeons said General Anesthesia is the way to go for explant. It gives them the best situation to do the best job. They do not want to have to worry if we are in pain or moving around. Good enough for me - knock me out!
April 3, 2013
Thank you! Birdie said they were great, and you gave the info, so now we can all be armed & storm WalMart for their bras! You must be anxious to get this over with, but you only have a few weeks now. It's like Christmas!
April 5, 2013
Hello BTJM, Looking at your photos and in view of the size and the position of your nipple..i wouldn't be too concerned about the outcome. I am 62 and mine have been in for a long time. When i went to my surgeon i originally wasn't going to have a lift..and frankly didn't care about how they were going to look..but my surgeon charges the same whether it is with or without a lift so i figured ok..since my nipples are a little large and low on my chest ..why not? However i shall have scarring..that's ok too. See how you feel after the surgery..maybe you will consider having a lift in a few months but my feeling is you won't need one.. Can't wait to see the after pics!! Huggzz xx
April 5, 2013
Thank you! I can't keep my head going in the same direction two days in a row! I wish my surgeon offered a lift included in the pricing - he's already right there in scrubs with the tools laid out on the tray! LOL The price difference will buy me central air conditioning in the house, which we need. Sounds like a silly trade off but that's the truth.
Replies (1)