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*Treatment results may vary
Two years post-explant & booked to re-implant
First let me say that this has definitely been a learning experience for me. After feeling awful for 1 1/2 + years, I was desperate and willing to do just about anything to feel "normal" again. Treating newly-diagnosed Meniere's :is ease helped a little. Treating a Vitamin D deficiency helped a little. But still, I was struggling and missing a ton of work. I had reached the point at which I was wondering if I'd have to quit my job and apply for Social Security Disability. Then I began to wonder if I could be one of those very rare cases in which a woman develops autoimmune symptoms due to silicone. After all, I'd had silicone implants for 26 years...
So, I researched explanted surgery and plastic surgeons who perform this type of surgery regularly. I had my implants removed in 2013 and was so hopeful that I would begin to feel better. I have to admit that I was also hopeful that I would have cute little breasts like so many women on this website have after explant. Unfortunately, I did not begin to feel better and my little breasts are basically little sacs of skin with a small amount of breast tissue. As a single woman wanting to date again, I know I would never be comfortable having a man see them. Plus, finding a normal bra to fit these wide but flat and flabby sacs has been impossible.
Fast forward to February 2014 when I attended a professional conference and shared a hotel room with a colleague. Imagine my surprise when she tells me the next morning that I snore and kept her awake all night. She even recorded me on her iPhone! Wow! I never snored when I was married but, obviously, I do now. Right away, I start to wonder if I have sleep apnea. That would explain my fatigue, sleep problems, and brain fog!! Granted, I don't have the usual body type and am not at all overweight (5'5", 118 pounds). But I also know that sleep apnea is fairly common and the incidence for women goes up after menopause. So, I go see an ENT who refers me to a sleep doctor who orders an overnight sleep study. And, lo and behold, I have moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which means that I experience more than 30 disruptions to my sleep PER hour!!
I was prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. I now wear a mask for my CPAP machine every night to ensure I get adequate oxygen and good quality sleep. My OSA was causing all of my symptoms including severe headaches! I thought I had developed migraines due to hormonal changes. If I don't use my CPAP, all of these symptoms return. BTW, did you know that 70% of people who snore have sleep apnea?
Bottom line, I never had any problems with my implants and they were small (maybe 250-275cc). I never had pain or contractures. This is why I have decided to get new silicone implants put in next month. The surgery will only take 45 minutes and I will no longer have to be concerned about how I look. Each of us must make the decisions that are right for us. If I had had CC or pain or autoimmune problems, I would not get implants again. But, those are not problems for me and this has been a difficult journey over the last 3+ years of my life...
So, I researched explanted surgery and plastic surgeons who perform this type of surgery regularly. I had my implants removed in 2013 and was so hopeful that I would begin to feel better. I have to admit that I was also hopeful that I would have cute little breasts like so many women on this website have after explant. Unfortunately, I did not begin to feel better and my little breasts are basically little sacs of skin with a small amount of breast tissue. As a single woman wanting to date again, I know I would never be comfortable having a man see them. Plus, finding a normal bra to fit these wide but flat and flabby sacs has been impossible.
Fast forward to February 2014 when I attended a professional conference and shared a hotel room with a colleague. Imagine my surprise when she tells me the next morning that I snore and kept her awake all night. She even recorded me on her iPhone! Wow! I never snored when I was married but, obviously, I do now. Right away, I start to wonder if I have sleep apnea. That would explain my fatigue, sleep problems, and brain fog!! Granted, I don't have the usual body type and am not at all overweight (5'5", 118 pounds). But I also know that sleep apnea is fairly common and the incidence for women goes up after menopause. So, I go see an ENT who refers me to a sleep doctor who orders an overnight sleep study. And, lo and behold, I have moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which means that I experience more than 30 disruptions to my sleep PER hour!!
I was prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. I now wear a mask for my CPAP machine every night to ensure I get adequate oxygen and good quality sleep. My OSA was causing all of my symptoms including severe headaches! I thought I had developed migraines due to hormonal changes. If I don't use my CPAP, all of these symptoms return. BTW, did you know that 70% of people who snore have sleep apnea?
Bottom line, I never had any problems with my implants and they were small (maybe 250-275cc). I never had pain or contractures. This is why I have decided to get new silicone implants put in next month. The surgery will only take 45 minutes and I will no longer have to be concerned about how I look. Each of us must make the decisions that are right for us. If I had had CC or pain or autoimmune problems, I would not get implants again. But, those are not problems for me and this has been a difficult journey over the last 3+ years of my life...
4+ weeks post-surgery
I'm trying very hard to remain optimistic that my right breast will normalize. It's difficult at times because it doesn't seem to be improving. BUT, I love my new Zee Bras that came today!!
More photos
As you can see, the right breast is looking pretty beat up from the hematoma. Hopefully, it will settle down over the next few weeks to months.
Provider Review
Dr. Melmed has done more than 3000 explantations and has found that more 80% of women with symptoms improve after explantation. He has also been part of a documentary titled, "Absolutely Safe" which is about breast implants. Total fee is $7545 (his fee, hospital, anesthesiologist) but with insurance coverage, it will be $2500 for me.