Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Mother of 2, Wondering if Implants Are Making Me Sick, Hoping to Be Able to Keep Breast Feeding.

UPDATED FROM drfang16
5 months post

Almost 3 months post op!

drfang16
$2,100
I haven't updated in a while, but wanted to do my fair share to support everyone else who has posted or has thought about explant. DO IT!
There was barely any pain, I did a horrible job of following lift restrictions (because I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old), I immediately lost 8 lbs without doing anything else, full of energy.
Here's how my surgery day went:
I arrived at the office. They lead me into the surgical area, I gowned up, etc. I went back to the OR. Everyone was super friendly and easy going. I was totally awake, no sedatives. The Dr numbed the incision site and I barely felt anything. After they scrubbed me up I was cold and shivering so the nurse brought me warm blankets.
The Dr used a scalpel to make the incisions and I didn't feel anything. He used cautery to stop the bleeders and when he got close to midline I felt a little bit of "zapping" from the cautery, but it didn't hurt at all. I told him and he numbed the area a little more. He thought the cautery was jumping across the sub cutaneous fat. No big deal, it really didn't hurt at all. He stuck a needle in the implant and hooked it up to suction and sucked out most of the saline before removing the implant. There ended up being 450 cc's in each implant, which was way more than I expected (or requested!) No wonder they were so big. Pulled out the implant without any trouble, which felt a little bit weird, but also amazing at the same time. Sewed up incision site, repeat on the other side. The nurses bandaged me up with an ace bandage, but I got a quick peak first. The girls didn't look half as bad as I was expecting. I literally thought, if this is what I'm left with I'm OK.
That day I didn't really have any pain. I took some advil about 20 minutes before the local was supposed to wear off.
The only discomfort was laying down at night when I was on my side. It squashed the incision site a different direction. I slept great with just ibuprofen/tylenol.
I ended up having to work the next day. I drove without any issues, very little pain at all.
The second night I separated out the ace bandage just enough to get a nipple out so I could feed the baby. No pain with breast feeding and he went right to sleep!
The only real "pain" I had was in my neck muscles as they had to adjust to my body no longer having 2 lbs of extra weight up front.
I did look super flat while the ace wrap was on, but after I switched over to sports bras I feel like I looked totally normal.
And 8 lbs literally dropped right off. I changed nothing else. I waited patiently to do repetitive motions (ie lifting weights) - a whole month. I thought working out would be weird, but it's so much easier. I can do a push up for the first time in my life now that my muscles aren't stretched all weird over the implant. When the implants were first removed, there was a large distinct "dent" in my pecs. It's hardly noticeable now since I've been working out. At 2 months post-op I started doing aerial classes.
And I have so much energy now. I recently rode my bike over the most challenging hills in town, which used to leave me almost blacking out and breathless, and was fine!
I love my new shape! The girls are a little bit floppy, but I bet they would have been anyway after nursing two babies. They get a little bit better every day.

drfang16's provider

Dr. Gaines

Replies (3)

June 28, 2017
Would you be able to post after pics? I have a 4 year old and a 15 month old daughter who I'm still nursing. I want mine out as well (also saline under the muscle). She's addicted to the boobs so I know she won't give it up easily. I was so happy to read your story. Thanks so much for sharing.
June 29, 2017
Hi cfdaffan21, I am explanting in three weeks under local anesthesia and I am still nursing. 20 month old. There are actually many women whom removed their implants while nursing, on this site! So you don't have to wean. Just wanted you to know! Good luck.
June 29, 2017
This is amazing info as I called two surgeons and both said I had to wean first, before they will even do a consult! And said I had to have been done for 6 weeks to let all the milk dry up before surgery.

Are you removing the capsules too? Or just the implant? So that means no drains? Both surgeons I called always remove the capsules so maybe that's the difference?

I think about doing it and wonder what my daughter would do with deflated boobies!!! She is pretty rough in general with them :(
June 29, 2017
Congratulations on your successful implant! I hope I feel as elated as you! Thanks for sharing!
June 29, 2017
**explant
July 1, 2017
Has your iron issue fixed themselves? I have been getting IV iron infusions for the past 8 years with no explanation for why my body will not absorb or hold on to iron stores. I've had every test known to man over these years. I've had under the muscle implants for over 20 yrs.
UPDATED FROM drfang16
3 months post

It's done! They're out!

drfang16
Had procedure at 8am this morning under local. Wrapped up in an ace bandage, but so far no pain or discomfort. We will see what happens when the local wears off. The quick peak I got of my breasts wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Will post photos when I can shower Friday morning!

Replies (5)

April 5, 2017
Yayyyy!! Can't wait to see your results. Due to have mine out on 25th and hoping to continue feeding. Hope your recovery is quick!!
April 5, 2017
I hope you feel better after you heal! I have 13 year old saline implants right now. I'm struggling with fatigue, low iron, I get twinges in my chest by my armpits. Sometimes a sharp one that wakes me up at night and I wonder if the implant ruptured. I know it sounds crazy, but I've been thinking more and more about having them out. I'm afraid of what it'll look like, I wasn't big before and even though I didn't go very big with the implants, I'm still nervous! I'll be following your journey! Best wishes in your recovery!
April 17, 2017
How are you feeling? Xx
April 18, 2017
How's it going?
April 29, 2017
How are you? I'm interested in your journey because you explanted while breastfeeding. I would like to do this as well. Were/are you able to continue bf? I hope all is well!
April 29, 2017
I had mine out on Tuesday and I am still able to feed my son xx
UPDATED FROM drfang16
2 months post

Pre op photos

drfang16

Replies (0)