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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews

52 and Ready to Be Rid of Saline Implants, Under Local , No Lift - Kansas City, MO

UPDATED FROM 3vaw100
25 days post

Cotton tank tops have saved me post explant!

3vaw100November 6, 2016
$1,500
I may have mentioned this before, but my incisions and my rib cage were so sore from the sports bra band at the bottom rolling up onto my incisions that I tried everything...gauge pads (didn't work well enough), different sports bras (what a waste of time!). Then I had the genius idea of using first aid tape to tape the bra band to my skin at the bottom to keep it from rolling up. It worked great...but I forgot that I have a reaction to medical tape and I broke out in a rash. Aaaaargh! Ok, so next idea was to wear a soft cotton tank top first, then put the bra over that thinking it would keep the band from rolling/creeping up under my breasts. It worked! I haven't gone a day without one yet. just a soft summer cotton tank...not the kind with a shelf bra I, or ribbed..just soft plain cotton like you would throw on in the summer for a shirt. I am 3.5 wks post explant and healing up really well. But my incisions get irritated if anything rubs on them so I am still doing my undershirt. Who cares! As long as I am comfortable.

3vaw100's provider

Dr. Paul Leahy

3vaw100 ratings

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I picked the perfect doctor and his team to do my explant surgery. I went to 3 other consults, 2 in LA where I used to live and one other here in KC. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Leahy right away, as he listened and heard me when I said I did not want to replace my implants and wanted to know if we could do the explant under local. His easy going personality and confidence made me know that this was the right guy for the job! His nurse Emilyn, was a huge help and answers all of my crazy questions. The staff at Monarch Plastic Surgery is super helpful and friendly and it is just an easy going atmosphere. The day of the explant I was a bit nervous, but Dr. Leahy talked me through it, step by step while he was doing it, which made me feel much better. He is calm, caring and just a nice guy. I would highly recommend him. And I am very picky.

Replies (3)

Livehappy01
November 8, 2016
Glad your doing well. So your saying local was enough to remove your implants. That's what I'm hoping for. Did you have any drains placed. Glad the cotton tanks are working. I'll have to remember that .
3vaw100
November 8, 2016
It went fine under local for me. My capsules were very soft, and therefore did not need to be removed. It only took an hour and he did it right in his office OR. Not every PS will do it under local. And not everyone is a candidate for it. I read a bunch of stories on here about doing it under local and the docs answers too. It made the most sense for me. It was easy really. I was weirded out by it at first thinking about it, but really I didn't feel anything except the sensations of tugging a bit . My doc talked me through the whole thing which helped. And I put a towel over my eyes so I wouldn't see anything. He gave an RX for a pill to take an hour before the procedure to help me relax and then just the local and it was done before I knew it and went home. He gabe me some Valium and Norco just in case I had pain. I never took the Norco, but did take 3 200mg Advil every 8 hours for about 4 or 5 days I think. I forget. I did also take the Valium 1x a day for a bout a week for the muscle spasms in my chest. They weren't awful, but being relaxed really helped me get some sleep, which is important for healing. My breasts didn't look as bad as I thought they would right after. In fact, I sat up on the OR table, looked down and said out loud "Oh...that's not bad at all!" We all cracked up. Any way, do your research and see if you are a candidate for local. I am so glad I did not do the full on surgery...but I would have if I had to. Everyone's case is different.
64purplepeanuts
November 9, 2016
Hi there, so glad I came upon your post! This may be exactly what I need to do! I am now 12 days post removal under local as well, 3 days after my 52nd birthday! So happy birthday to both of us! I've tried sports bra, some Hanes stretchy ones, but the incisions are super tender. Luckily I don't work, so most days I have been able to stay in PJ's and big shirts. Will be heading out tomorrow to find some plain cotton T's! If you happen to find any specific comfortable bra please share as well!!!
3vaw100
November 9, 2016
Hi there! yes, Happy Birthday to us! I hope the loose cotton tanks will help! let me know. As for bras, the only one I can wear without discomfort is the BALI Flexes to Fit Bra. Check the inside of the cups to make sure it is the totally seamless one. Some have sewn seams on the inside to form a cup shape. The one I got is just stretch cups and straps with a regular bra back closure. Comes in lots of colors. 2 layers of stretchy fabric. No pads. I wear them 24/7, even for sleeping still. Got mine at Kohl's and Stein Mart. I have tried so many, and this is the only one that works while my incisions are still tender. I also massage them gently with small circles with lotion, or even soap in the shower . Get the ok from your doctor before starting that though. I am almost weeks post op and mine are still irritated easily, even though they are healing up nicely. Hope the Bali bra works for you. Keep me posted on how you are doing. This site has been a God send to me, so I am more than happy to pay it forward.
64purplepeanuts
November 9, 2016
Thank You, I will go look for them soon! I really don't have any follow up with Dr. unless there is a problem. sounds like everything I am going through is normal, what everyone else is experiencing. I do have bilateral Pec Muscle deformities, one side worse than the other.. from what I read, not much can be done about it.. hopefully with time that will decrease. Have appt with GYM next week, will get his input as well.. Just the effects of doing something I now wish I had never done to my body.. BUT, can't go back, only forward.. Reading as sharing experiences has been amazing here! Tks again!
3vaw100
November 9, 2016
It is a pleasure to share experiences here. its hard to talk to friends and family about it much as they can't really relate. I'm not sure about the pectoral deformities you mentioned, but I am sure someone else on here could comment. You were brave and did what needed to be done. Now just focus on finding things to make you comfortable through the healing process. Be kind to yourself, rest a lot and take things slow. Full healing from this takes time. I am here if you need anything. happy shopping.
64purplepeanuts
November 9, 2016
Aww Tks! I've seen one other post with the muscle deformities, maybe I will search the term to see what comes up! Have a great afternoon!
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Sheila S
November 10, 2016

Thanks for sharing such useful tips! I'm glad you're sailing through the healing process. Please keep the updates coming :)

UPDATED FROM 3vaw100
17 days post

2 and half weeks after explant

3vaw100October 29, 2016
The procedure was pretty easy honestly. The recovery has been way easier than getting the implants in. I never took any of the Norco and just took 600mg of Advil every 8 hours for the first few days and a Valium a few times to help me sleep and stay relaxed. The incision sites look really good so far, but are sore. I have been massaging with lotion, coconut oil etc. as the nurse suggested. What is hard to figure out is how to keep the bottom band of a soft bra from rolling up onto the incision. I put gauge pads under the band initially and that was ok at first. Now I am wearing a super soft cotton tank top first, and then the bra on top of that. Genius!!! So far today this feels the best and seems to be keeping the bra band from rolling up. Yay! I tend to do too much too fast, as I am kind of impatient...but I felt so awesome about a week after the explant that I cleaned my house, went for a long, went grocery shopping and ended up really sore in my chest. I have since dialed it back a lot. My chest muscles are a bit angry and my breasts are a bit sore, but I haven't taken any Advil, so not unbearable. Still tired easily. But here's all the good news...upper back and neck pain is GONE...the bumps on the back of my arms are GONE. And, I am totally fine with having smaller breasts. Not bummed out at all. In fact, I just feel like my old self. I know I have a way to go and the look will change as the skin retracts over time, but overall I am so happy I did it. Wondering how long it has taken others of us to get back to the gym. Just going for a walk still makes me sore, so I am not ready yet. Thanks again to all on here who gave me the courage to do the explant. I am forever grateful.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM 3vaw100
1 day pre

tomorrow is the day!

3vaw100October 11, 2016
I am sitting here and thinking wow...tomorrow is the day I get my implants out. Just wanted to say thanks again to all of you ladies who posted here and gave me the courage to go through with this. I am looking forward to it being over with and letting the healing begin. A tad bit nervous, but those who have posted that they had the removal under local said it was pretty much a breeze so that makes me feel a lot better. See ya on the other side!!!!

Replies (2)

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Sheila S
October 12, 2016

Hey there! I'm just dropping by to wish you lots of luck for your procedure today. I hope it all goes smoothly. Please give us an update when you feel able.

3vaw100
November 6, 2016
You are so nice! Thank you. I have been very bad at checking through my emails I missed after surgery but finally getting to it. All went great and I am healing up beautifully.
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Sheila S
November 10, 2016

You're welcome! I'm glad things are going well for you. Thanks for updating us.

Livehappy01
October 19, 2016
Wondering how you are doing and feeling after surgery. I'm 53 and woke up to a deflated implant yesterday. My first consult if Friday....What to do. I hope you are happy with the choice you made
3vaw100
November 6, 2016
Hi there. So sorry I haven't been good at checking my email lately. I am doing so good! So sorry about the deflation. What a bummer. I am so glad I did the xplant. My boyfriend even told me yesterday he thinks I look way better without the implant. How about that! My incision sites were pretty sore but not unbearable. I am still wearing a soft, loos fitting cotton tank top first, then the seamless bra. Def. can't handle anything with seams yet. It wasn't hard to adjust to my new/old look at all really. I will have to buy new bras at some point but waiting to see how things do or don't tighten up first. I started out an A pre implants, and I think I will end up and A or small B. Not sure. I am about 30 lbs. heavier now. Anyway, I feel very good physically. Shoulder tendonitis is gone, back pain is mostly gone. Energy level is much better. if you do the explant be careful not to do too much too soon. I made that mistake and had to dial it way back. Any way...wishing you all the best in figuring out what to do. let me know if you have other questions. :)
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