55 Years Old, Removing Saline Implants After 12 Years - Kansas City, MO

Well, there's not a lot to update because things are just continuing to progress. I have full range of motion (even though the doc still says no lifting) and sleep on my back, sides, tummy - wherever and however I'm comfortable. My incisions are healing nicely and I go in for my last doctor's visit tomorrow, where I hope he give me permission to try some new bras. The sports bra I've been wearing is growing old! My breasts really do look nearly exactly as they did prior to my BA, which astounds me since I've been carrying around implants for twelve years. I no longer feel embarrassed when pumping the coffee dispenser at work (worried everyone will notice my boob doing that weird flexing thing), I have absolutely NO back pain, and I've experienced real, genuine, honest hugs with people for the first time in years with no fear they can tell there's something weird between us. I told my doctor last week that I am completely thrilled with this decision. And I mean it.

I am continuing to see great results from my explant and hope those of you considering this procedure find some encouragement. My left side is a little more tender than the right, so not sleeping on it, however, sleeping on the right like a champ! Still no pain meds - including Ibuprofen at this point as it simply is not needed. As to how they look - they look very much like most everyone else on here. They are small, with no upper pole fullness (the part I hated the most about my implants because it is totally unnatural without a push-up bra), and soft, soft, soft. The seem larger then what I had pre-BA, but I've also put on 15 pounds in the past 12 years so that surely has a bearing. They have a great shape to them. They are just small. Which is exactly what MY breasts are - small. I go back in to the doc in three days (he pushed my appointment out because things were going so well), and have to wear the sports bra 24x7. He says this helps with reducing any sagging. I have small breasts so sagging isn't going to be a big deal for me anyway. But I'm following his advice because he's the best!

Went in for my first post-op appointment today and got to see the little darlings for the first time. They are actually adorable! The nipple on the left side is a little smooshed up - but I owe that to that ridiculously tight compression bra I've been wearing. Doc says it should straighten out and look great in a couple of weeks. And boy was it fabulous to lose that bra! The tight compression was necessary to ensure I don't get fluid, and while it was not fun, it beats getting fluid without a doubt. I've not had a pain pill other than the one the day of surgery and I am doing just fine with ibuprofen. I'm cleared for a shower (thank heavens) and just need to take it easy for a week or so. That means no lifting anything heavy and no repetitive tasks like vaccuuming, which completely breaks my heart. I've been able to sleep on my side since the first night. I've been working from home since the day after surgery and will be back in the office on Monday. Other than some tenderness at the incision, I'm feeling great. As I said before - if you take your time in making this decision and recognize that in the end, you will likely end up very close to where you started, this is not a difficult journey. For those who are expecting to somehow look better after explant than you did before implant, I strongly suggest you give it some time before deciding. Once you're ready to go - it's been my experience (and I realize others have had less than pleasant experienes, which I completely respect) this is a very easy recovery.