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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Praying for the Best After Removal at Age 64 - Dallas, TX

ORIGINAL POST

I'm not big on writing so this may be on the short...

1no2hps
$2,200

I'm not big on writing so this may be on the short side.
20yrs ago I decided I want to look like I had breast. I was a small 34A more like a AA. Wanted an normal 34C the doctor talked me into a full 34C. The major problem I had was I was left in pain for 10 months. My breast and nipples felt as if they were plugged into an electrical socket. At 6 months I went to another PS for a second opinon, who told me all looked well but only time would tell about the pain. After the 10 months I noticed I had lost 90 percent of feelings in the breast but if the nipples were touched the only thing I felt was pain.

I learned to live with it but knew this day would come. I had noticed the left breast began to look fuller and the shape was a little different. My mammo shows a rupture and some capular. My orginal PS is no longer available so I have checked with the PS that looked at me at the 6 month mark.

So now at 64 years of age I will be going for removal
The PS wants to remove with a replacement. I asked about just a lift but he says I am too thin (a nice way of saying I have no breast tissue to make it work) and the lift would not look right. He says the only to make it look ok would be either to replace the implants alone or have a lift with small implants. Otherwise I will just have loose skin drapping over.

I don't really know how I feel about any of it except I know I don't want to take the chance of hurting again for 10 months. I have looked at pictures of other sites that show really bad after results in order to prepare me for the worst then I can be greatful if is just bad not really bad.

I had the Mims, fuzzy implants so I expect it will not be an easy removal. Again time will tell.

My insurance will cover some of the cost as I have documention of a rupture.
I will try to keep the up-post as my operation date is March 28.
I will also try to add a picture.

Replies (17)

March 14, 2013
Good Luck on your decision. After 30+ years of implants, it was not hard for me to decide no new implants. My PS encouraged new implants and a lift but I was steadfast. I didn't want to take the chance of the new ones rupturing (some people barely make it a year before their implants rupture) and facing more surgery in the future. I also found that at my age, pain hurts more. Know what I mean? I want to minimize it as much as I can. I would recommend you spend time reviewing several of the posts here. Ask questions - these PS and the individuals are great at answering questions quickly. Good Luck.
March 16, 2013
Thank you. I know what you mean. The idea of my breast area hurting at 74 or 80 because I had to remove implants is just not the road I want to go down.
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March 14, 2013

Thank you for starting your story on RealSelf! I hope you're able to come to a decision you feel good about. Here's a great post by GreenTemple about her experience.

March 14, 2013
Hi! I just read your story and I am new here too. Also, I am 65. At first I felt a little foolish being this age and worried about explantation, but we are all women! It always helps to come across someone closer to my age but all the information these great ladies have provided us is such good information and such a comfort! After reading in here since Jan. I decided I definitely needed to do this. I have had such extreme back and shoulder pains and the more I gained the worse it got. My regular dr. suggested a breast reduction which made sense but the PS is hoping with the implants out it will be a big relief for me. I hope he is right! I really have no idea what to expect from my body after explantation! Whatever it is will be OK but it may be an adjustment! My insurance will not cover this surgery as I had hoped because I don't have a rupture I don't think. One has not been detected but I really have to wonder what the PS will find when he goes in to get these 28 year old implants! I do want them out and the weight of them off my chest. I have a considerable amount of breast tissue but we will see what happens after explant! I have not heard of the Mims implants but hope your surgery will go well for you. Please stay in touch! Nanaat65
March 16, 2013
Thank you for your response. I too found this site and found it to be a big help mentally. All the ladies here have such courage. I hope the ex-plantation will relive you pain. Take care
March 15, 2013
Hello there, my implants were removed Nov 2012. It is the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I am almost 58 and was told by several surgeons that I would not have any breasts after explant but feel free to take a look at my profile and my 3 month pics. Good luck for 28/3 xx
March 16, 2013
Well then I can have hopes. Thank you for sharing. God Bless.
March 15, 2013
Which PS in the Dallas area did you select? I'm seriously considering explantation and live in Dallas as well. Thanks!
March 16, 2013
Dr. Bryon Brown at Baylor off of Gaston. He is a much older, highly respected gentleman. I have had swelling in the left breast that has the ruptured implant. When it kept swelling he said he without fever or redness he believed it was sterile fluid build-up with just of bit of bacteria making the body want to get rid of it. He ordered me an antibiotic and the swelling is going down. Not all the way but he knows what he is talking about. On is own he also had another technician look at my mammogram to verify everything and didn't charge me. There is another good Dr. C. Sparenberg in Plano, TX that is experienced in explantation. He is younger and recommended by my GYN. God Bless and take care.
March 16, 2013
Thanks for the help! I'm guessing you will be having general anesthesia?
UPDATED FROM 1no2hps
1 day post

Day after surgery. There was a lot of clean up on...

1no2hps
Day after surgery. There was a lot of clean up on the left breast. Not as bad for the right but still more than the surgeon had hope it would be. He did find a quarter size lump in the right breast that the mammogram had not picked up. He said I had made the right decision to explant. Now he is hoping not to have a lot of fluid build up because of the large empty pockets I have. If I see too much swelling he wants me in first this Monday morning to aspirate. He will show me pictures of what he had to remove. Turned out to be a longer process than he had wanted for me.

Replies (11)

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March 29, 2013
Stay strong - you have been through a lot but honestly if I can look anywhere near as good as your results look right after surgery I will do cartwheels!! It sounds as though your surgeon was perfect for the job and is handling everything beautifully. Get lots of rest and let people help you!
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March 29, 2013
I think you look fantastic! That left breast looked so uncomfortable in that last pre-op pic. You must be so relieved at this point! Looks like you may have dodged a bullet with that lump! I wonder if the implant is what kept it from being visible in your mammo? Hope you are resting comfortably. :)
March 30, 2013
Yes the left breast was very uncomfortable the last 3 days. I would think it was the implant that kept it hidden. I will know more when I go in for my post-op. Thanks for your kind words.
March 29, 2013
Thank goodness you had them explanted and found that lump! Why do some surgeons always think the answer is more implants?!! I was like you in that I'm at the age where I don't want more surgery in the future. Keep us up to date with your progress :) [RS bleep]
March 29, 2013
Wow..good thing you had your implants removed....a rupture and a lump. I think you look good right after surgery. I have seen many pics like yours and over time there is such a transformation. It's so amazing how the body heals. My surgery is 2 weeks away and I think I will look similar after surgery. I will be happy to get them out and be free of them. It has been a long road with them and it's time to part ways. Please try to rest and keep in mind that we are all here for you. Sending heathy healing thoughts to you!
March 30, 2013
Thank you for all the healing thoughts and comments. This site and all the ladies are a blessing.
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March 30, 2013
Thanks for sharing. I am 3 days post explant & other than my bruised psyche, feeling really good. I had my first mammogram this year, & it was a very unpleasant experience-multiple additional views because of implants. Hopefully it is a fibroma or something benign, but thank goodness you went when you did. Hang in there!