34 Y.o. Breast Implant Exchange, Bilateral Capsulectomy and Mastopexy - Houston, TX

Dr. Vitenas and each member of his staff have made me feel at ease from the beginning and continue to do so. I was born with a tubular breast on my right side and my breasts were uneven. I had a breast augmentation in 2005 from another surgeon who placed saline implants above the muscle and put them in through my navel. I was pleased, but over time they began to harden and the right one started moving up toward my collar bone which made my nipples increasingly uneven. Pain began a few months ago to where I was unable to continue exercising. Dr. Vitenas told me I had developed capsular contractures. He informed me of his treatment plan, which included pre-draining of my implants (which terrified me, but understood the reasoning and trusted his judgement), then surgical removal of saline implants, removal of scar tissue, implant exchange from saline to silicone under the muscle, placement of strattice, and a lift, as I wanted smaller breasts. To me, this was a lot of surgery and I was so scared, but was comforted by Dr. Vitenas and all his staff. Surgery went well and I am recovering well. Pain was very much controlled and removal of drains was not as bad as I had imagined. I could not be more pleased with the symmetry of my breasts, nipples, and the scars are not an issue with me. I am not even 3 weeks post-op and feeling good, pain is minimal, just a little tightness at this point. I know the best is yet to come. I highly recommend Dr. Vitenas and his staff.

I have been asked about my previous size and why I chose to go with a smaller size and lift. I found a pre-op picture taken just before my implants were deflated. As you can see, the capsular contraction on the right was moving up toward my collarbone and my nipple pointing down and to the side. The scars from the lift and my smaller size were definitely worth it to me.

I am feeling better by the day. My range of motion is almost back. I'm getting more comfortable touching and feeling my new body parts. I have soreness still but mainly in morning and at night. I am a little more sore in the breast fold and it feels pretty tight and "thicker" or "squishy" by the incision site. It's hard to describe. It would be nice to have something/someone to compare with! How was everyone else at 5 weeks?

I am feeling much better! The worst part has been the muscle tightness in my shoulders and back from hunching over and shrugging my shoulders for weeks and weeks. Please please if you have this procedure done, try to be aware of how you are standing/sitting and try not to strain your shoulders or back while recovering! At this point my neck, shoulders, and back hurt way more than my breasts. I am happy with my results, mainly the pain from the CC is gone and my clothes fit better. I am smaller and people keep telling me i look like I have lost weight! My right breast is still a little "tubular" but that's how I was born so, let it be! This is me! And you can't tell when I have on a bra or clothes. Of course I am more critical than anyone else. Getting back to feeling like myself! Best wishes and a speedy recovery to all having this procedure!