POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Saline Implant Removal, Breast Lift and Fat Transfer
ORIGINAL POST
Saline Implant Removal, Breast Lift and Fat Transfer
just4meandmyhubbyJuly 25, 2019
WORTH IT
I have relied upon others for reviews and support and hope sharing my journey can offer others information, support and ultimately- decisiveness in your own personal journey.
11 years ago, after being pregnant and/ or breastfeeding for 4 years straight (or both for a moment), I weaned my second (and last) child. We had already decided we wouldn't have more children and my husband had a vasectomy. As my 29 year old breasts shriveled into bags of saggy skin, I quickly decided that replacing the volume with breast implants was the way to go. Found a great surgeon I really liked- she didn't try to talk me into the newly approved silicone breast implants like my other consults...she just assured me she got good results with whatever I felt was best for me. She also had a great track record of low rates of capsular contracture and patient satisfaction. I still have ALL my paperwork- I was well-informed of all risks and over the past 11 years, really haven't had many issues that I can specifically assign to my 350cc, sub muscular Mentor Saline implants.
While my weight hasn't fluctuated that much over 11 years.... always between 135-145, my body composition has changed a bit and I started noticing my 34 full C breasts slowing becoming 34 full Ds. At 5'8", I became self conscious at times about the size of my breasts. I felt like they made me look heavier- and I became suspect that they caused my neck and lower back pain. This year, when media began reporting more and more about issues surrounding breast implants, I began to shift my attitude towards my breast implants. I simply just didn't want them anymore and was ready to figure out life without them.
You can get rid of implants simply- or sign up for very invasive removal procedures. I chose time, consults and lots of research. While many social media groups proposed "en bloc" procedures for anyone wanting to get rid of their implants, I found that with time, I understood and fully trusted medical professionals to guide me in making an informed decision for myself. My saline implants showed no signs of complications. I knew that I wanted a total capsulectomy when removing my implants, but I was very unsure of what would provide a good aesthetic outcome for my breasts and yes... I realized that still mattered to me (and my husband.)
So here is where I hope my story can help others. I decided (and chose my provider because she was willing to work with this decision safely) to drain my saline implants in office so I would have confidence chosing my surgery to remove my implants.
We drained them - and I wanted a lift and fat transfer. I will provide the photos of before (with implants), after draining (Day 1) and as follows.
11 years ago, after being pregnant and/ or breastfeeding for 4 years straight (or both for a moment), I weaned my second (and last) child. We had already decided we wouldn't have more children and my husband had a vasectomy. As my 29 year old breasts shriveled into bags of saggy skin, I quickly decided that replacing the volume with breast implants was the way to go. Found a great surgeon I really liked- she didn't try to talk me into the newly approved silicone breast implants like my other consults...she just assured me she got good results with whatever I felt was best for me. She also had a great track record of low rates of capsular contracture and patient satisfaction. I still have ALL my paperwork- I was well-informed of all risks and over the past 11 years, really haven't had many issues that I can specifically assign to my 350cc, sub muscular Mentor Saline implants.
While my weight hasn't fluctuated that much over 11 years.... always between 135-145, my body composition has changed a bit and I started noticing my 34 full C breasts slowing becoming 34 full Ds. At 5'8", I became self conscious at times about the size of my breasts. I felt like they made me look heavier- and I became suspect that they caused my neck and lower back pain. This year, when media began reporting more and more about issues surrounding breast implants, I began to shift my attitude towards my breast implants. I simply just didn't want them anymore and was ready to figure out life without them.
You can get rid of implants simply- or sign up for very invasive removal procedures. I chose time, consults and lots of research. While many social media groups proposed "en bloc" procedures for anyone wanting to get rid of their implants, I found that with time, I understood and fully trusted medical professionals to guide me in making an informed decision for myself. My saline implants showed no signs of complications. I knew that I wanted a total capsulectomy when removing my implants, but I was very unsure of what would provide a good aesthetic outcome for my breasts and yes... I realized that still mattered to me (and my husband.)
So here is where I hope my story can help others. I decided (and chose my provider because she was willing to work with this decision safely) to drain my saline implants in office so I would have confidence chosing my surgery to remove my implants.
We drained them - and I wanted a lift and fat transfer. I will provide the photos of before (with implants), after draining (Day 1) and as follows.
just4meandmyhubby's provider
UPDATED FROM just4meandmyhubby
11 days pre
Day 1 after draining 400CC (each) and Day 3
just4meandmyhubbyJuly 26, 2019
I can't believe how ridiculous my photos with implants look to me just a few days after draining them. I'm so happy to have soft breasts again- and 11 years later, they have more breast tissue than they did when I stopped nursing. The drained implants are a little uncomfortable poking me in the side, just in one spot- it will be great to get them out and we planned a capsulectomy so I know I will loose a little bit more volume.
Replies (9)
July 27, 2019
I drained mine. keep me posted on what you will do. Im getting a lift and maybe a smaller implant. Ive lost so much breast tissue since I put them in 23 years ago
July 27, 2019
Is a fat transfer possible when you do the lift? I don't want the worry or future maintenance of breast implants- and my plastic surgeon said that even if I wanted to replace the implants with smaller ones, I would still need a breast lift. I love not having the tight feeling in my chest muscle every time I flex- so I'm ready to be done with implants for good.
August 14, 2019
Girl, you are PERFECT! I am really getting excited - but still a little freaked out!! I can only pray that my results are one half as good as your results are! So, your surgeon didn't do the capsulectomy at the time of explant? I am new to all of this info and quite a bit older than most of you that I have been reading about, so did not know that was an option! Also, was anyone counseled before your surgery about needing to lose weight or anything like that BEFORE your procedures? Wondering if that's something I may need to do first, so that I don't end up with OLD, SAGGY BOOBS after everything!! haha! Anyway, so happy for all of you and the results you have received! Makes me feel a lot less anxious about this! God Bless!
August 14, 2019
Thanks- so I didn't take any side photos after having my implants drained and the implants were still in there, including the capsules giving them a little more volume. (Front photos definitely help disguise some of the sag and volume loss.) My PS thought I would be happiest with a lift after explant and I was worried about the scaring - so we drained them in office about two weeks before my planned surgery. I decided that I did want the lift and then since fat transfer wasn't that much more to add... I decided to just go for it all and trust my surgeon's experience. So just last week- I went in for the explant (of my drained sub-muscular implants, total capsulectomy, then she performed and anchor lift and fat transfer. My boobs are huge! lol. But i know the swelling will go down and with fat transfer, you don't retain all that is placed. Final results will probably be a patient - 6 month process or so. I was all a big decision process- but I'm thrilled I won't have to ever worry about an implant rupture, or replacing them down the road. Find a good surgeon you trust and prepare well- recovery was much easier than I expected! Much easier than getting implants the first time- the lipo sites are like huge tender bruises.... but if you have ever over did it after going back to working out.... that's pretty much what it feels like.
August 25, 2019
My surgeon said if my weight doesn't fluctuate more than 10 pounds my explant results shouldn't be effected to much but you should check with your doctor
August 26, 2019
Thanks for your help! I am nervous but excited to get to the end of all of this if truth be told! I will likely try to lose a few more pounds but I really seem to be feeling weak these last couple of years so have slowed down considerably. Love all of you on this site who are so forthcoming and open about what you have experienced or, as in my case, what we look forward to experiencing! It really means so much to 'talk' about everything that's available these days, and to be able to actually see results so that I can get some idea of what I hope to achieve with my doctor's advice & help! God Bless each of you & good luck as you move through this journey to your true self! I am thankful for all of you! Will update as my surgery nears - won't be until mid October if all else is ok at consult Thursday! Wish me luck!
UPDATED FROM just4meandmyhubby
3 days post
The good the bad and the ugly
just4meandmyhubbyAugust 10, 2019
Made it to the other side! I am three days post-op and doing well. 1st- wedge pillow (we had a “Liberator” ramp from an old “birthday joke” years ago that was perfect! Helped me sleep upright- combined with some pillows and an airplane neck pillow, I was able to sleep comfortably until I woke up needing pain medication the first two nights. Life saver and made recovery so much better.
2- the ugly. Bruising on my thighs and also breasts is a little shocking. Have an extra tight compression garment washed along with an extra front zipper bra to wear while you wash the other.
3- after having implants deflated and getting used to that, my FT and lifted breasts look huge! I know they will settle so I have no worries about liking the size- even if they at less than half than they are now, I think they will be great.
4- pain hasn’t been that bad. My breasts had burning pain the first 24 hours and that was a
Little surprising. Lipo sites feel like big bruises and are tender. I have been hydrating like crazy! Adding 4 oz pineapple juice to 20oz filtered water and just constantly refilling and chugging it. Pineapple is supposed to aid in healing the bruising and swelling.
2- the ugly. Bruising on my thighs and also breasts is a little shocking. Have an extra tight compression garment washed along with an extra front zipper bra to wear while you wash the other.
3- after having implants deflated and getting used to that, my FT and lifted breasts look huge! I know they will settle so I have no worries about liking the size- even if they at less than half than they are now, I think they will be great.
4- pain hasn’t been that bad. My breasts had burning pain the first 24 hours and that was a
Little surprising. Lipo sites feel like big bruises and are tender. I have been hydrating like crazy! Adding 4 oz pineapple juice to 20oz filtered water and just constantly refilling and chugging it. Pineapple is supposed to aid in healing the bruising and swelling.
Replies (3)
August 11, 2019
Wow your bruising looks very much like mine did. You have way more breast tissue, so I think they will turn out great, even if you had not gotten the fat transfer. Good luck, and keep posting. I'll be interested to see your progress.
August 12, 2019
I was super groggy coming out of anesthesia but my husband said he thought my Dr. said she transferred 330cc to each breast- so I think she might be his new hero (lol). I forgot to ask at my follow up the next day. I feel so bloated right now and just hoping that I will be back to feeling more normal soon. The pain has been very manageable.
August 13, 2019
Wow, that's quite a lot. I keep forgetting to ask mine how much he transferred. Too funny about your husband. Mine is just wanting me to not go for a top-up later, so he keeps saying how much he likes them smaller.
Yes, the bloat. Well, I think that you will probably have to deal with that for at least a week, sorry to say. But at least with thighs, there isn't that uncomfortable pressure around the middle. And it does end eventually.
Yes, the bloat. Well, I think that you will probably have to deal with that for at least a week, sorry to say. But at least with thighs, there isn't that uncomfortable pressure around the middle. And it does end eventually.
Replies (4)