POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews
Time to Go... Breast Implant Removal and Lift
UPDATED FROM RobinRedBreast
1 year post
1 Year (almost) and Revision Update
WORTH IT$8,000
1 month ago I had the minor revision procedure. It took 20 minutes and I felt nothing after the local anaesthetic injections. Very minor discomfort afterwards for a couple of days but no need for pain meds. My cleavage and right side definitely looks tidier.
I took a gamble with explanting and lifting at the same time. However, my surgeon was great and I think he did an excellent job with a difficult procedure. I avoided having two separate major surgeries and instead had one major and one minor to get my result.
It has almost a year since my initial explant and lift. I am still very happy with the results and so pleased I did this for myself. I have never once missed my implants. Life is comfortable now and I feel like myself. I love how my body feels and being able to move without tight underwire bras, and tops pulling across my breasts. My husband loves my breasts too... he soon got over the loss of big fake boobs. He thinks I look slimmer and younger with my smaller breasts. No one has noticed (who I didn't tell). A couple of people have asked me if I've lost weight - hmmm kind of :D
The end result = generally excellent (much better than I anticipated). My left breast is bigger than my right - does not bother me. And my left nipple has tighter scar tissue and less breast tissue behind it = when they are relaxed it looks smaller. When they are erect it is the same size. This may improve as the scar softens... or it might not. Again, it doesn't bother me. My left cleavage still has a small fold but much smaller after the revision and it might go as the revision scar heals. The cause turned out to be an unfortunately placed stretch mark. The initial scars have faded nicely... although now I have some more.
So, I think that is the end of my explant story. I hope my experience has helped others on their journey. Thanks for all your lovely comments and support. Happy explanting everyone! x
I took a gamble with explanting and lifting at the same time. However, my surgeon was great and I think he did an excellent job with a difficult procedure. I avoided having two separate major surgeries and instead had one major and one minor to get my result.
It has almost a year since my initial explant and lift. I am still very happy with the results and so pleased I did this for myself. I have never once missed my implants. Life is comfortable now and I feel like myself. I love how my body feels and being able to move without tight underwire bras, and tops pulling across my breasts. My husband loves my breasts too... he soon got over the loss of big fake boobs. He thinks I look slimmer and younger with my smaller breasts. No one has noticed (who I didn't tell). A couple of people have asked me if I've lost weight - hmmm kind of :D
The end result = generally excellent (much better than I anticipated). My left breast is bigger than my right - does not bother me. And my left nipple has tighter scar tissue and less breast tissue behind it = when they are relaxed it looks smaller. When they are erect it is the same size. This may improve as the scar softens... or it might not. Again, it doesn't bother me. My left cleavage still has a small fold but much smaller after the revision and it might go as the revision scar heals. The cause turned out to be an unfortunately placed stretch mark. The initial scars have faded nicely... although now I have some more.
So, I think that is the end of my explant story. I hope my experience has helped others on their journey. Thanks for all your lovely comments and support. Happy explanting everyone! x
UPDATED FROM RobinRedBreast
9 months post
8 Month Update
I had the follow up appointment with my surgeon this week. He will do a small revision - 20 mins under local - to tidy up the cleavage area and take away the small dog ears on the outer sides of my breasts. No additional cost. This is fairly common with explant and lift combined. It can be difficult to estimate where everything will end up.
I am very happy with my result. It has been life changing and part of a bigger journey to embrace my real self. I have stopped dying my hair and am loving my black/silver natural colour. I recently went camping for the first time in my adult life. Something I would have avoided previously due to uncomfy bras/breasts. The hot weather (Aussie summer) is so much nicer without a bra too. My husband still loves them as they are and benefits from my own inner confidence.
My nipples are still uncoordinated. The surgeon thought it was 'weird' - great :D My right nipple just scrunches up way quicker than the slow left one. Oh well!
I hope you are all travelling well on your explant journey.
I will update when I have my 'tidy up' done at the end of January.
I am very happy with my result. It has been life changing and part of a bigger journey to embrace my real self. I have stopped dying my hair and am loving my black/silver natural colour. I recently went camping for the first time in my adult life. Something I would have avoided previously due to uncomfy bras/breasts. The hot weather (Aussie summer) is so much nicer without a bra too. My husband still loves them as they are and benefits from my own inner confidence.
My nipples are still uncoordinated. The surgeon thought it was 'weird' - great :D My right nipple just scrunches up way quicker than the slow left one. Oh well!
I hope you are all travelling well on your explant journey.
I will update when I have my 'tidy up' done at the end of January.
Replies (5)
December 2, 2016
Thanks for posting the update! You have given me lots of confidence to go ahead and do the same. January 25th! Can't wait
December 2, 2016
Neat!, great about things coming to a happy end for you! :) ...funny about nipple scrunchies!...guess we are all left with a little reminder of this adventure aye?!... Or may just need more time...? ;) love and hugs, you've reminded me I should do an update too one day soon... I'm waiting till after my surgeons apt too... [RS bleep]
December 18, 2016
Congratulations on your results. My surgeon is strongly urging me to have a lift. I am so afraid of the scars. Would you be so generous as to post another photo so we can see how they fade over time? Thank you.
December 18, 2016
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Everyone heals so differently - especially scarring. One person's results may not be what you experience. I've reviewed thousands of explant reviews and my result doesn't look like any of them - not even close - I would encourage you get more opinions. I'm sure more than one PS may have told me I'd need a lift after almost 25 years of 700 ccs over the muscle - but guess what ? I didn't and one doctor knee that. I'm happy I spared myself those scars. I decided if I needed the lift it could be a second procedure. At the end of the day it's you that has the keys to your body. Maybe if you feel okay - just have them out and see what happens over 6 months. You can always have the lift later if needed - but if you don't you save lots of money and scarring.
Everyone heals so differently - especially scarring. One person's results may not be what you experience. I've reviewed thousands of explant reviews and my result doesn't look like any of them - not even close - I would encourage you get more opinions. I'm sure more than one PS may have told me I'd need a lift after almost 25 years of 700 ccs over the muscle - but guess what ? I didn't and one doctor knee that. I'm happy I spared myself those scars. I decided if I needed the lift it could be a second procedure. At the end of the day it's you that has the keys to your body. Maybe if you feel okay - just have them out and see what happens over 6 months. You can always have the lift later if needed - but if you don't you save lots of money and scarring.
December 18, 2016
I will post more photos. I was not afraid of the scars because I know that I scar well. I also knew that I would want a lift because I had very saggy breasts before implants - that was why I got them - not for the size. I should have just had a lift in the first place!
As lisa0714 points out everyone's body is different and what is best for you can only be decided by you.
I am anticipating that my scars will fade to white over the next year. In my experience it takes about 2 years for my scars to fade. They are flat and parts are already white. I will keep you updated :)
As lisa0714 points out everyone's body is different and what is best for you can only be decided by you.
I am anticipating that my scars will fade to white over the next year. In my experience it takes about 2 years for my scars to fade. They are flat and parts are already white. I will keep you updated :)
January 14, 2017
I'm day 1 post-open now. Hoping my results are as good as yours
January 15, 2017
I'm jealous of your beautiful breast. I will be getting my cement bags out soon as well and your story was a lovely ready. Thanks for sharing.
Replies (5)
September 16, 2016
Thank you for posting your progress months after your procedure! I am having this done soon and your photos have been terrific. I can only hope I have such good results!
September 16, 2016
Good luck with your explant. I really expected the worst and have been pleasantly surprised. It helps to focus on the reason for explant. For me it was about health and the feel of my breasts rather than how they look :)
September 17, 2016
You look awesome !
September 22, 2016
You look amazing! Im considering an explant after just having a revision to downsize..and I still feel huge! I would be over the moon if I had results like yours!
September 23, 2016
Your whole story is inspiring, I am going to continue to follow you. I am in the same boat as you. I want my implants out, they are under the muscle, large, and I know I will need a lift. I am so uncomfortable with them lately it is making me sick, and seems to be all I think about. It is annoying my husband and definitely becoming somewhat of a constant think I talk about. I am mostly worried about the shape and the scars. I want to see how your breasts heal, and the scarring as well. I also enjoy reading your comments and perspective on this whole thing. My question also is, how did you go about picking the best surgeon for you in the area where you live? I live in NYC, so while there are many, many may not be the best for me and the results that I want. any advice?
September 23, 2016
Thanks. I'll keep updating so you can see my healing. The vertical scars are already fading to skin colour in places.
I had less choice of surgeons than you do - which can make things easier. I chose my surgeon over others for a few reasons:
- his qualifications, registrations and experience
- he had photos of implant removal and uplift on his website (many hide this aspect of their practice).
- his suturing on all photos (including those not on his own website) is very neat and I wanted the best scars possible
- he didn't try to talk me out of explant at all - in fact was really positive about it
Some reviews of him = he is not as approachable and friendly as other surgeons. However, I didn't care. I didn't need a friend, I needed a good surgeon. And he was friendly enough and professional.
I would suggest getting lots of personal reviews of explanting surgeons in your area. Ask women who have explanted what their experience was. Meet with a few surgeons and ask them to show you photos of previous patients. Trust your instincts :)
Good luck! x
I had less choice of surgeons than you do - which can make things easier. I chose my surgeon over others for a few reasons:
- his qualifications, registrations and experience
- he had photos of implant removal and uplift on his website (many hide this aspect of their practice).
- his suturing on all photos (including those not on his own website) is very neat and I wanted the best scars possible
- he didn't try to talk me out of explant at all - in fact was really positive about it
Some reviews of him = he is not as approachable and friendly as other surgeons. However, I didn't care. I didn't need a friend, I needed a good surgeon. And he was friendly enough and professional.
I would suggest getting lots of personal reviews of explanting surgeons in your area. Ask women who have explanted what their experience was. Meet with a few surgeons and ask them to show you photos of previous patients. Trust your instincts :)
Good luck! x
September 26, 2016
Thank you.. I agree with all you've said. I don't need the best bedside manner, I just want someone with experience in this, and my scars and the end result is the most important to me. I will do my research, thank you so much for sharing your story. Im following yours for the long haul girl... <3
October 19, 2016
I know its only a month later, but any updates? pics as you progress month to month. I am so serious about this. Each month when I get my period and my breasts swell, I literally want to slam them in the door so they burst and I am forced to have them removed. My husband is not fond of me having this idea, but I am literally at the point where I can't stand them anymore. They don't even feel like they are a part of me.
October 20, 2016
I have an appointment with my surgeon mid November and I'll post an update and photos then. Not much has change except the scars are fading.
I understand your frustration. It is hard carrying implants around inside you when you really want them out. Do you have a surgery date?
I understand your frustration. It is hard carrying implants around inside you when you really want them out. Do you have a surgery date?
October 20, 2016
I don't even have a doctor yet, lol. I have two that i researched and based on their photos of the lift that they did I like it. Me and my husband are mostly worried about the scars. Mine from my original implants faded so nicely, I swear its so hard to see them at all. Its a shame cause I do feel like as far as to look at, my breasts are very nice. My gynecologist even told me that she feels that they are the most natural and best she has seen. Still doesn't mean I want them any longer though. i feel like as i get older they make me feel so matronly.
Any advice on questions when I do go for consults? You don't have any implant in there now. and I have a feeling a doctor may suggest that. But thats not where i am leaning toward. Im to the point where I may just go on a spur of the moment... THATS how sick i am of them in me.
Any advice on questions when I do go for consults? You don't have any implant in there now. and I have a feeling a doctor may suggest that. But thats not where i am leaning toward. Im to the point where I may just go on a spur of the moment... THATS how sick i am of them in me.
October 20, 2016
and november should be 8 months post op for you. I def can't wait to see how they are and hear your thoughts, down to the itty bitty. T
October 20, 2016
I understand - for me it was not about how they looked as much as how they felt. Suggestions re. finding a surgeon = one that supports your decision and does not try to talk you into more implants; photos of before and afters of explant (and/or lift if you want one); qualifications and board certification (of course). One of the main reasons I chose mine was based on photos that his patients had put up of his suturing/scars. If I was going to have scars I wanted them as neat and small as possible. My scars are flat and invisible around my nipples. The rest is fading - which takes a year to 18 months apparently. I chose shape over a scar-less result.
There is lots of information, photos and support on this forum. It was invaluable to me on my journey.
There is lots of information, photos and support on this forum. It was invaluable to me on my journey.
Replies (5)