POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews
53 Y.o. W/ 18 Y.o. Implants - Just Got Them out !!
UPDATED FROM LuckyKitty123
14 days post
2 weeks post - drains out & ready to start healing!
LuckyKitty123October 4, 2017
WORTH IT$4,000
Finally got the 2nd drain out, what a relief!! Off all meds now, too. Still in pain, esp on right side...a soreness kind of like when you've worked out way too hard at the gym. Tried to do a bit of housework yest and it made me more sore. Lesson learned ; )
Overall, pretty satisfied with the results...just hoping for a little more fluffing. My right side is a bit smaller, but whatever. Excited to go bra shopping. H&M and Forever 21 have some great ones, for super cheap.
The positive changes I've noticed so far include: greater range of motion in arms, shooting/stabbing pains are drastically reduced, easier to sleep on sides. Aesthetically: body looks more youthful & sleek, clothes fit better.
I'm so curious to see what the next week or two bring!!
Overall, pretty satisfied with the results...just hoping for a little more fluffing. My right side is a bit smaller, but whatever. Excited to go bra shopping. H&M and Forever 21 have some great ones, for super cheap.
The positive changes I've noticed so far include: greater range of motion in arms, shooting/stabbing pains are drastically reduced, easier to sleep on sides. Aesthetically: body looks more youthful & sleek, clothes fit better.
I'm so curious to see what the next week or two bring!!
LuckyKitty123's provider
UPDATED FROM LuckyKitty123
7 days post
1 week post-op ~ only 1 drain out
LuckyKitty123September 27, 2017
Doc only removed one drain yest, b/c my right side (the troubled side) is still a pink color fluid : / He said better to play it safe, since it could create those nasty fluid pockets, which could also get infected. When you explant w/o replacing, you're basically left with a large open area (where the implants once took residence), which is prone to lots of fluid accumulation, which is why you need drains.
I'm kind of antsy, b/c those drains make it hard to sleep...it's like sleeping with 2 pencils at the sides of your boobs. Anyhow, at least I can sleep on one side now. Don't mean to whine, just letting you know what can possibly happen.
Will post pics after last drain is out. Everything still looks the same, though!
I'm kind of antsy, b/c those drains make it hard to sleep...it's like sleeping with 2 pencils at the sides of your boobs. Anyhow, at least I can sleep on one side now. Don't mean to whine, just letting you know what can possibly happen.
Will post pics after last drain is out. Everything still looks the same, though!
Replies (2)
September 28, 2017
Bet you will feel tons better when other drain comes out. Oddly, my surgeon said he rarely does drains, so I don't know how I feel about that after reading your comments. Maybe I will need them?
October 1, 2017
It may depend on the size of implants? I presume that bigger implants will leave a larger open space. FYI, ppl who re-implant during the same explant surgery may not need drains b/c there's not really that space left in the chest, where fluid can build up.
The drains are a PITA but...doctor's orders!
I just keep thinking how excited I'm going to feel after I'm past the "patient" part: no drains, no meds, etc, so I can start the new-normal me...just a few more days!!
Did you make an appt for a consult yet? I interviewed 1 other doc before I chose mine.
The drains are a PITA but...doctor's orders!
I just keep thinking how excited I'm going to feel after I'm past the "patient" part: no drains, no meds, etc, so I can start the new-normal me...just a few more days!!
Did you make an appt for a consult yet? I interviewed 1 other doc before I chose mine.
October 25, 2017
If you can't whine here, where ya gonna whine? Hope you are feeling better now. I'll be whining two weeks from now!!
October 26, 2017
LOL, true dat. I'm just over 1 month out & I feel amazing. You will too, once you get over the hump!! Excited for you, girl !
UPDATED FROM LuckyKitty123
4 days post
4 days post-op ~ I have 3 questions
LuckyKitty123September 24, 2017
The first 3 days post-op I was feeling better than I anticipated, but rather zoned out from the meds, and slept a lot. Now my body's detoxing from the anesthesia. Woke up at 3am to a wicked headache & restlessness. Along with arnica, I'm taking phosphorus homeopathics to help with detox, but I'm feeling extra sluggish today. No big deal but just thought I'd give a heads-up to others, that I think this is a natural reaction.
I can really sense the drains poking me now, too... ouch. Doc says if fluid drops down to 15ml/day, I can get drains out early. I've been averaging about 25ml/day.
Pre-op, I had made a long list of all of my implant-related illnesses/annoyances, and will be curious to see how many things clear up over time. That stabbing/burning feeling is almost gone, so that's a good start! Will post any other improvements over time.
Aesthetically, I think I look ok. I'm an A-cup and the shape looks pretty good, just praying they get a little bigger. I'm using calendula on the scars, and traumeel + arnica on the entire breast area. As a result, I have zero bruising on my chest. I've been using an almond/olive oil salve all over my chest, which has probably reduced the chances of any stretch marks.
Q: how long until I can start to do the massage thing? I know that the tissue is trying to heal & re-attach to the chest wall, so I don't wanna mess that up!
Q: has anyone tried that Noogleberry device (supposed to help w/ growth)? I know I'm supposed to feel grateful that I'm healthy, and I DO....however, just wishing for a bit more.
Q: between swelling reduction and fluffing over time, what are the typical results over, say, a year's time?
Appreciate any advice!!
I can really sense the drains poking me now, too... ouch. Doc says if fluid drops down to 15ml/day, I can get drains out early. I've been averaging about 25ml/day.
Pre-op, I had made a long list of all of my implant-related illnesses/annoyances, and will be curious to see how many things clear up over time. That stabbing/burning feeling is almost gone, so that's a good start! Will post any other improvements over time.
Aesthetically, I think I look ok. I'm an A-cup and the shape looks pretty good, just praying they get a little bigger. I'm using calendula on the scars, and traumeel + arnica on the entire breast area. As a result, I have zero bruising on my chest. I've been using an almond/olive oil salve all over my chest, which has probably reduced the chances of any stretch marks.
Q: how long until I can start to do the massage thing? I know that the tissue is trying to heal & re-attach to the chest wall, so I don't wanna mess that up!
Q: has anyone tried that Noogleberry device (supposed to help w/ growth)? I know I'm supposed to feel grateful that I'm healthy, and I DO....however, just wishing for a bit more.
Q: between swelling reduction and fluffing over time, what are the typical results over, say, a year's time?
Appreciate any advice!!
Replies (1)
September 24, 2017
I am following your adventure as I may be following in your footsteps soon! Had my first set age 23 (silicone), ruptured & replaced age 42, and now wanting to have them removed. Everyone seems to think I'm crazy, but surgeon was supportive. I just wonder what I will think after that initial "honeymoon" phase- where I'm sure I might be initially happy and then not sure what the long term outcome will be. I've gained some weight over the years and had children, so of course there's that. You look great, by the way. Hope you have good continued healing and are satisfied with your outcome!
September 25, 2017
Hi abarry9 ~ thanks for the compliment! I needed to hear that : ) Since you've gained weight, you'll likely be a bit bigger than you were. My weight stayed the same, so I'm the same cup size I was in 1987.
I think part of my resolve to explant was wanting my full health + being at peace with being small again. My rationizations were: 1. after 40, smaller boobs look less matronly. 2. it's a lifestyle thing (I eat clean, exercise, no smoke), so anything fake in my life just had to go. 3. I had pain that was becoming unbearable. My physical job was making it worse, too. So overall, the timing to explant just made sense.
I also considered the following comforts: to NEVER have to deal w/ hardening or replacing implants again; to NEVER have to wonder if any illness you may have will be due to the implants; to feel & look 100% natural; clothes will fit better; one can always wear a padded bra; hugging is better; + more. I also couldn't envision myself at like 70, w/ implants! lol
It's only Day 5 for me (still have drains & tightly bound) and am very much still in recovery, so it actually doesn’t feel like a ‘honeymoon’...but I do feel satisfied every day. I'm also single, so it's tougher to recover on your own (even just for moral support), but I'm doing it one day at a time. : )
As of now, I’m 100% glad I did it. Fortunately the people who care about me are supportive, too. I think once you explain why you want them out, those ppl who are naysayers might change their tune? Let me know your thoughts! Happy to advise, as my recovering journey continues........
I think part of my resolve to explant was wanting my full health + being at peace with being small again. My rationizations were: 1. after 40, smaller boobs look less matronly. 2. it's a lifestyle thing (I eat clean, exercise, no smoke), so anything fake in my life just had to go. 3. I had pain that was becoming unbearable. My physical job was making it worse, too. So overall, the timing to explant just made sense.
I also considered the following comforts: to NEVER have to deal w/ hardening or replacing implants again; to NEVER have to wonder if any illness you may have will be due to the implants; to feel & look 100% natural; clothes will fit better; one can always wear a padded bra; hugging is better; + more. I also couldn't envision myself at like 70, w/ implants! lol
It's only Day 5 for me (still have drains & tightly bound) and am very much still in recovery, so it actually doesn’t feel like a ‘honeymoon’...but I do feel satisfied every day. I'm also single, so it's tougher to recover on your own (even just for moral support), but I'm doing it one day at a time. : )
As of now, I’m 100% glad I did it. Fortunately the people who care about me are supportive, too. I think once you explain why you want them out, those ppl who are naysayers might change their tune? Let me know your thoughts! Happy to advise, as my recovering journey continues........
September 25, 2017
Boy, you sum it up so well!! I can't say I have physical pain, but I am at the same point as you with every other issue you mentioned! 100%! I feel the same way you do about it. Hang in there! That's awesome that you made the decision! It encourages the rest of us. Praying your drains come out soon and that you feel better every day. I can't believe how good you look just a few days in! Hang in there!
October 9, 2017
I completely agree with your "hugging is better" comment! I haven't see that before, but I am so aware, even with my grown son and daughter, that these hard lumps on my chest feel weird. Ugh! Congrats!
October 11, 2017
Right! It always felt awkward to hug w/ implants, like I was 'at a distance' from people, in a way (if that makes sense). I can also now feel other people's chest much better when I hug, it's great !!
Replies (5)
Glad you asked about sensation, b/c when I had implants there was a sort of numb feeling, and now I have a normal feeling back, yea! Also, my nipples used to be hard most of the time w/ implants, and now they're back to normal.
Lastly, I'm still adjusting to having very soft boobs, as opposed to those rocks...and I even a bit of jiggle now, hah!
After explant, all the dull numbness I had in my breasts & nipples is gone, and I feel sure I will have the same old sensation I used to have pre-BA.
I haven't had any intimacy lately b/c I'm single. When that time DOES come around, it'll be so liberating to feel confident that they're 100% real !!
One reason I think I was worried about explanting, was that I'd feel like hiding my 'new' boobs b/c they'd be so small, but I just wear a slightly padded bra, which puts me at the perfect B-cup I always wanted to be. Success!!
Are you still thinking of explanting?
A surgical bra (vs. ace bandage) should be fine, I would think. Whatever causes compression so the muscle and tissue can reconnect to the chest wall.