Ready for the Old “new” Me

I have just started to call around to get an idea of the cost and specific procedure related to explant. I find that different surgeons have varying opinions on what I should do.

I came into unexpected cash in my twenties and did what all my peer group was doing. My first set I received in 1991 and they were under the muscle - double lumens which is a silicone bag within a saline bag. I was told they would last my lifetime. For the longest I barely thought of them, they were very comfortable and natural; however gravity and scarring finally caught up.

In 2012 I returned to my surgeon for replacement and lift. I had an unattractive slide where my own breast was much lower than the implant. They were getting hard from scar tissue and one had ruptured it turned out. Once they were removed I received the gummy style silicone implants, 360cc over the muscle. I was told that if I got them under the muscle they might be encapsulated by scar tissue again and they had to go over this time. I was 48.

From the time I had the surgery, there were things that were dissatisfying about the new implants. I think of them every day as they feel bottom heavy and obvious. It feels like there is something foreign in me, while I realize that is true i never felt that way with my first implants. These ache and roll around in what seems like a near the surface manner. They are very apparent to me as I can feel the edges. I have gained some weight and though I’m still a D they don’t feel comfortable. I am exercising daily now and I feel they are a hindrance to my best effort and weight loss.

I realize I am older. I am single now and not wealthy so this is going to be a financial strain on me, but I am without a doubt getting them out. They are itchy and sweaty underneath where they sit so solidly on my chest. What I would give to go back to 28 year old athletic me with the big rear and B cup and say, don’t worry so much about your shape: soon enough a fat rear will be an asset lol.

I just feel content with the person that I am and it feels like a very positive move to have them out. I need to lose about 15 pounds but I will be working on that as I plan my surgery. I am vegan but I have still managed to gain a few pounds as I’ve always been a yo-yoer.

My biggest decision at this point will be should I also have a lift. This will of course be a huge increase in total cost. One office advised they do it at the same time so you save some money plus leave with a more immediately pleasing result while another said they do not do the lift for months to let the breast tissue retract and you see the final result as you might not even need a lift. Having unattractive scars from my first lift and a strange pursing around one nipple, as well as a stretching and loss of color in my nipple, I’m not just dying to do that again. I am looking all around my state of Alabama in the hopes of finding the most skilled surgeon at a price I can afford. I will be updating as my journey progresses. Thank you to everyone who has posted because reading your stories has given me the courage to do this. So bless you!!

I have decided on a surgeon and have booked my explant/lift. I am so excited!! Dr. Budny was so outstanding. He went over every possible option and told me that if I decided to not do surgery, that was also an option. I felt he was totally honest and he did not try to sell me on anything. He did recommend that if I decided to explant to let him go ahead and do a lift. After much consideration that is what I’ve decided to do. So maybe if I am shocked at how small they are, the should not be deflated balloons. This is a big decision for me as I am not wealthy by any stretch. But I waited over six months to call back, because I wanted to give this decision more time than I gave the original one. And he is able to do it the Monday before Thanksgiving, which is perfect. Fingers crossed!

I am getting very nervous as I am one week out from my surgery, HOPEFULLY. I was told at my preop appointment that because of my age I needed to submit an EKG. I am 55. I went that same day to a walk in clinic that was recommended to get my clearance and was surprised to find that they felt I need to consult a cardiologist. I have an appointment Monday with an actual cardiologist, so hopefully he can put this to rest. I exercise strenuoulsy four days a week, am a little bit overweight, am vegan. I have absolutely no symptoms. Furthermore, I have been participating in a heart study with my fitibit for six months. If I have a rhthym problem, I will be totally shocked. I am not overly worried, but just want to get the clearance that I need for my surgery. I have been put under within the last couple of years for a health procedure and had absolutely no issues. Have probably been under about 7 times without issue. Cross your fingers that the urgent care had it wrong or that it is not something critical. I am SO ready to have this surgery. But if one more friend tells me I am going to be very flat chested I am going to scream LOL. Yeah, I know. I'm fine with that. Looking forward to it actually.