43yr Old with 13yr Old Under Muscle Implants - Its Time for Them to Go! - Brisbane, AU

I think it takes a while to get your head around it all! For me, its the realisation that implants don't last forever - mine are past it's sell by date (I think they sort of quote around 10-15 yrs usually) and I either get them out, or I have smaller ones put in - which still may contribute to health problems - and then be looking at another 4 or so replacement operations in the future (which I do not want, not a fan of surgery :-)) Ultimately they are your breasts - and you should do what is right for you. Will let you know how my op goes - this time next week with any luck they will be out!

Hi Smd18, I don't know how much it is in Dallas as I am having mine done in Australia, but you should be able to do a search on those who have had it done there and can maybe give you a recommendation? I think your first step is to see professional advice from a plastic surgeon as they will also help you understand more about the procedure etc - The way I look at it is that they will need to be taken out or replaced at some point and if you are over having them, then maybe its as good of a time as any... either way, wish you lots of luck!

Implant removal and a lift in Canada varies from surgeon to surgeon. I would expect that is the same in the US. Mine was $9000 Canadian dollars. Sounds like a lot, but he had to remove saline from the implants on an outpatient basis. Then I waited for my skin to 'thicken'. The rationale for this was the implants and breastfeeding that I did really mad my skin thin. I was at risk for the skin NOT to set up good circulation post-op. The added risk was I might get tissue necrosis on any area that was lifted, including the nipples. This would lead to losing that area, and skin grafting. So...I had saline removed and waited to let the skin thicken. PS wanted a minimum of 3 months. So I gave him 7 months. He was very happy with how I went into surgery. Then he removed the old saline implants, scar capsule, and performed a breast lift. Many women are not patient for a staged approach like this. Also - I had OVER THE MUSCLE implants, so the issue with thin skin and associated risks may not apply to those with under the muscle implants. Anyway, I am already very happy with my results. Living with deflated implants for 7 months gave me plenty of time to really KNOW that being smaller WAS what I wanted. Also, I loved being small again, I practically didn't care my boobs looked TERRIBLE deflated. I knew the would be fixed eventually. The nice outcome was, I am already so so happy with the asthetic appearance because it is an improvement over the saggy deflated ones I dealt with for 7 months! I had already accepted being small again. Anyway, I am writing a novel...haha! I hope this helps others, and I think my surgeon took a conservative, and staged approach that is ultimately going to have a great outcome for me. I thought it would be simple to just remove the implants, but he did have to work hard to almost reconstruct as he lifted them after removing the implants. Definitely a lot of variables. But worth the money.

Well I am going ahead with explantation, no replacement and a lift this Wednesday, January 4, 2017! I found a nice Dr who I trust and believe really "hears" me. Please pray for me, I am already getting nervous about the entire thing.

Wow - congrats on the decision, and wish you lots of luck. Ask for anti anxiety meds if you think it will help you manage. You will be fine but will send you good thoughts :-) x

Thanks Sheila, will check out the forum :-)

I am 37.5 years now...and sooo happy I did this! You are in a great headspace....I don't want to have to do this again at 65 or 75 years old! I don't have a crystal ball to know if I might have health conditions at an older age that will put me at risk going under general anesthetic in the future. I am fit, healthy, and ready to heal and move forward with an active lifestyle with my hubby and four kids. And no big awkward boobs anymore getting in my way!

Wow thanks Carmen - and great advice - will looking into Ondancetron - hate being sick - and will do the protein and water thing too - every bit helps! Glad it went well for you - and good to know that compared to a TT its comparatively easier - I can't imagine how painful that would be :-) Hope you are recovering well and I will let you know how I get on! x

Today was a great day for me. Getting past the two week post-op timeframe seemed to be a magic number of days for me. YAY! So glad to have turned a corner. Looking forward to the next one....while trying to pace myself with the new found energy. I also thought of a couple of other things. Be sure to get a lot of sleep. This includes napping! You likely won't have to nap regularly for as long as I will. However, it will really boost healing. I feel myself healing because of investing in sleep! Sounds weird, but I do. I am sleeping about 1 hour a day on top of 8-10 hours at night. Today I went out...finally! I took a friend some coffee as she just had a baby. I was tired just from that...and came home and slept 2 hours. Totally crashed. Your body will tell you, so be sure to listen! Also - vitamin C will help, so get it in fruit and veggies, and supplement it if you can! I am also taking a multivitamin.

Contrats on the 2 week mark - must feel great to have the worst of it over! huge fan of sleeping so will be trying to do lots - I think any form of surgery is immensely stressful on the body so it needs time for recovery...

wow - good luck! nice to know I am not alone :-) Really hope yours goes well too - I am booked in for 845am (Brisbane, AU time) - let me know how you get on!

How did it go? really hoping it went well, mine seemed to go very well but on some pretty heavy duty pain relief - will post the experience below, but wishing you well x

Having the operation tomorrow morning - so not sure yet but will update when able! What are your reasons for wanting to explant vs keeping them in?

I was feeling an area that bothered me on my rt. breast and it scared me some. Also, I've been experiencing hair loss, insomnia, tiredness, not a lot of energy. Although I am 54. That's not old but you know its not young either. I just want to be free of them also. I'm sure I will miss them a little. But still getting surgery eventually. I'm looking for a wonderful doctor here in Birmingham, Al.

Follow your gut - and remember that if you decide to have it removed and replaced (they do have a life span), you will need to go through this all again. The operation wasn't as painful as the original operation, in my opinion, but choose your doctor and surgery wisely - let me know how you get on and what you decide :-)

I hope the roller coaster ends soon for you! I am still on lots of meds so no idea how I will feel when the strong stuff is out of my system - eek!