Unique Breast Explant Case

My Unique Explant Case…I will start by explaining my need for my most recent surgery was unexpected and something I was very unhappy about. Like all women, I wanted to look my best and underwent a breast augmentation 15+ years ago. I selected Dr. Epstein after consulting with 5 other highly recommended surgeons. Dr. Epstein spent a great deal of time going over every single one of my questions, concerns and ensuring he completely knew what I desired to look like post-op. He took 3D Vectra images of me and I looked exactly as the 3D Vectra imaging said I would once I was fully healed and I loved my results and was very happy with my 1-day recovery. I was a little fatigued the days after surgery but felt fine, no pain and was back to my normal routine very quickly. I never needed anything more than Motrin and to be honest, I think I took them just to prevent pain as I never felt enough pain to warrant carrying it around with me. I was originally a deflated C cup and ended up a full D cup. Fast forward 15 years…I had gained weight (possibly perimenopausal or just aging gracefully, who knows) and my breasts grew to a full DDD cup and I also discovered I had a genetic blood disorder, an underactive thyroid in addition to spending the past few years off and on in the hospital and with specialists for various medical conditions; gallbladder removal, pancreatitis, iron deficient anemia, and COVID. While going for a routine mammogram it was discovered I had a small nodule in my breast and was sent for a Breast MRI which also indicated that I had a small rupture in my breast implant as well. I would have never known without imaging as my breasts still looked amazing after all this time. Sadly, my team of specialists recommended that for my health I have the implants removed as I had more than 4 indicators that I had been experiencing Breast Implant Illness. I was devastated. I did not want another surgery and I did not want to even wonder what I would look like without my implants as I had had them most of my adult life. All I could think about was what would I look like, how badly the scars would look and what if they were wrong and I underwent this change and was still getting sick.

Surgery again…. I did my due diligence and went to many surgeons and asked for their opinions, while also telling them what I was hoping to look like. But again, it was ONLY Dr. Epstein that took the time to actually care, listen, understand and reassure me that I would be happy with the results and feel better with an explant and a lift with a transfer of fat from the abdomen for fullness. I wasn’t convinced but after many discussions with family and friends I came to the realization that health is wealth and beauty can be achieved without perfect breasts. I underwent surgery, in a hospital setting (due to the medical clearance approval from my hematologist) and I followed Dr. Epstein’s pre and post operative care to the letter. I woke up feeling sore but no significant pain. I was up walking around right away. While I needed to stay in the hospital to be monitored by my hematologist which was truly precautionary, I was able to walk around, eat, drink and function as myself. I even stopped the pain medication within the first 24 hours as I didn’t need it at all.

The results…aside from peeking when the doctors did as they checked for bleeding where the incisions were, I never really looked at my breasts in the first few days as I was so worried about the change, the wounds and the size. My hospital room had such a tiny high mirror so I was unable to really look at them until I got home. I was shocked, absolutely shocked. They barely looked different or smaller. They fit my body and Dr. Epstein was able to give me the exact results I was hoping for. I am literally only a cup size smaller than when I arrived at the hospital. I have had multiple post-operative check in appointments, and we have compared all of my pre & post op imaging and surprisingly, this explant and lift surgery results are exactly the results I got from my first augmentation surgery. I am very fortunate to have gained weight over the years to be able to have to have grown my own fat and end up with the most desired results. I am also beyond blessed to have a surgeon that not only was able to perform the surgery exactly as I wished but truly took the time to understand my goals and make them happen. Dr. Epstein also personally reached out to me multiple times after my surgery to check in with me and see how I was feeling. There is no medical professional, in my experience, that has topped this level of care and professionalism! He is one of a kind, a true perfectionist and top doctor in his field.