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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Nervous... but I'm Ready...I Think. Kirkland, WA

ORIGINAL POST

I am 52 years old and have had two sets of...

svisintApril 11, 2015
$8,000
I am 52 years old and have had two sets of implants. My first set was put in 23 years ago and they were saline over the muscle. This set leaked so the Second set was silicone under the muscle. I how have a capsule contracture on the right side and they just look too big on my body, especially in clothes. I have gained 45 lbs. since I got my first set so I know I have more tissue than when I started this journey. I am scheduled for an explant and lift on April 22nd and am of course scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. Thank you to all the ladies that have gone before me and have so graciously and generously shared stories and pictures.

svisint's provider

Sarah E. McMillan, MD

Sarah E. McMillan, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

svisint rating for Dr. McMillan:

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Replies (12)

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treese67
April 11, 2015
Best of luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery! I am also going to have my 12 year old implants removed as well. Who is doing your procedure?
svisint
April 11, 2015
Dr Sarah Mcmillian
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Sheila S
April 14, 2015

Hi there, and welcome! Thank you for choosing to share your story with us. I hope you'll get lots of support from within the community. Please keep us updated! Good luck :)

svisint
April 24, 2015
Thank you Sheila. This sight is such a huge inspiration. Don't know if I could have done this on my own.
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Dove1960
April 15, 2015
Hello Svisint, I wish you all the best with your explant! Like you, I've had mine in for a long time -- 27 years! Silicone, under the muscle. I'm scheduled for explant on May 20th and I can't wait! I'm not doing a lift and am praying they look all right. Please keep us posted on your progress. Being in our 50's makes it a bit harder, I believe. But I look so forward to soft hugs and saggy breasts. I'm so tired of them being up high and hard! And you're right, they look huge in clothing. Naked, they are all right. Take Care.
svisint
April 15, 2015
Our stories are so similar. do you also have contracture? I went back and forth on the lift versus not. My surgeon is okay either way, but like she stated if I don't like them I would have to subject myself to another surgery :-( so I opted to get it all done at once. And your are right, being in our 50's makes this difficult but better than If we waited til our sixties or seventies. I am excited as when I see pictures it just looks horrible and to me they look FAKE....because they are! Good luck to you. I will try and post before pics later today.
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Dove1960
April 16, 2015
Yes, I have significant cc on my left and mild on my right. The left has been painful since the beginning. I feel it's getting more constant the past year or so. I look so forward to having them out. Best wishes being sent your way!
svisint
April 23, 2015
Well, Its done and I am happy as they found I had a ruptured implant that never showed on my mammograms. I have a drain on my right side where it was a CC and rupture and it really isn't so bad. They didn't put one in on my left and ironically that's the one that has the most pain. And the pain is not so bad. I am managing with Tylenol as the prescription was making me queasy. I had pockets of sleep last night so am a little tired. don't let the nerves get the best of you. I almost backed out of surgery due to nerves and am so glad my husband kept reassuring me that I was doing the right thing, and I was. I hope all the little aches pains and illnesses I have been experiencing these last years will dissipate now. Good luck to you, I know you will do fine.
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AllNaturalMe
April 16, 2015
Good luck to you! You are going to feel amazing and free! It takes a good 3 week to heal and it will fly by. I'm 1 month out and it's like I have the energy that I had pre implant back. You will feel like you have your life back and it's wonderful! So glad you are doing this.
Myra1
April 17, 2015
I just had mine out yesterday under local after having BA (twice) for 24 years. I am also in my 50s. I was terrified, but let me tell you it took less than 15 minutes. I felt a little pang of pain once and so he put more anesthesia in that area. I could not get my pain meds beforehand due to a mess up with the prescription so I had to go with my friend who brought me to the surgery over to CVS to fill it. Meanwhile we walked over to Panera's and had an orange scone and coffee. Yes, right after my procedure that I had nightmares and days to worry about! I took one pain pill last night just because I wanted to prevent pain, but don't if I really needed it. I had not lift (although all consults said I needed a lift) and I had no drains. Take heart, the idea of doing this and my vivid imagination was far worse than the actual surgery.
svisint
April 21, 2015
That's amazing that you went to Panera bread right afterwards..Wow. I am having the lift and a capsulectomy so it will be a 3-4 hour surgery. How are you doing now?
Myra1
April 22, 2015
I am doing great and went to work this week. It's day 5 and I would never have expected to feel so good after just having surgery. When I had the BA originally I was weak for at least 10 days. I think that my recovery now was easy because it was less detailed. Try to relax tonight and remember all of us that have gone through this. Having the surgery is less stressful than all the worry beforehand. I'll be thinking about you and sending you good thoughts.
UPDATED FROM svisint
6 days pre

Before photos

svisintApril 16, 2015

Replies (5)

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Dove1960
April 16, 2015
Thanks for sharing photos, svisint. What made you decide to do the lift? What type of lift will be performed? I'm so scared that mine will be awful but yet I'm not sure about the lift. Thanks again.
svisint
April 16, 2015
I'm doing a lift because they are sagging pretty bad. I know I won't go back for another surgery so this is why I'm doing it now. I'm having the anchor lift. I know I'll have scars but I think or am at least hopeful that they will look cute ! Especially in clothes. These things I have now look horrible in most clothes.
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SaavyDee
April 17, 2015
I also did the lift at the same time and I do not regret it. I am olive skinned and scars tend to show more on my skin, so I am using New Gel + Silicone strips and I cannot believe you can hardly see the vertical line. I can still see my old scars under my breasts but they don't show when I'm standing. I LOVE how they lay flat when I'm laying down...SO NICE! I can wear anything now that I'm not dressing for my old hard breasts. Good luck!!!!
svisint
April 17, 2015
Thank you SaavyDee. I have been more calm these last two days which is weird. I thought I would be more nervous. But lets see what next week brings. My surgery is Wednesday. I am nervous but also excited and hoping to look better and most importantly feel better. I too have the low energy that so many have spoken about plus always getting sick and back,shoulder and neck pain. Thanks for the advice on the gel + silicone strips. I will pick some up for sure. Are they over the counter?
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SaavyDee
April 18, 2015
I bought on Amazon. Recommended by my PS
UPDATED FROM svisint
1 day pre

Two days...nerves are in high gear

svisintApril 20, 2015
Two more days and its my turn to have these hard bags out of me. I am definitely nervous and not sleeping to well. Its going to be a huge change as I have had these for 24 years now. I am excited too as I don't like how they look or feel as they are hard and my real breast tissue is drooping off the ends of the hard implants that are stuck to my chest wall. Ugh. Trying to stay positive and think of all the real reasons for having these removed ,besides just looks I am sure my health will improve. I have a lot of the symptoms other ladies on here describe and I never realized it could be from my breast implants. Thank you everyone for all the honesty and encouragement on this site. It has helped tremendously. Wish me luck!

Replies (14)

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WishingWell123
April 20, 2015
Thinking of you in 2 days time, hoping it all goes well for you and looking forward to reading your explant journey reviews:) thank you for sharing. I made the first step today and called the breast care nurse for an appointment. I'm also planning explant - after 21 years. I now have capsular contracture and other symptoms. I will be posting my journey on here soon! You are definitely doing the right thing xx
svisint
April 21, 2015
Thank you. Tomorrow is the big day....didn't sleep so well last night with all the doubts and worries running through my mind. I know its the right thing to do but still have those nagging doubts and fears. I will keep you all posted after surgery tomorrow
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Natural Again
April 20, 2015
Good luck! You are going to do just fine & feel so much better once they are out of you! The waiting is truly the hardest part & once it's done & over with, your fears & anxiety will disappear. :)
svisint
April 20, 2015
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. I have trying to stay busy all day doing yard work and it is helping with the anxiousness. I should be shopping for food but its really nice outside today :-)
svisint
April 20, 2015
Thank you for posting. I will get my husband to help with better before pictures tonight and after surgery as well. Good luck with your appointment and journey.
roxie70
April 21, 2015
Good luck and the final result will give you peace of mind!
svisint
April 21, 2015
Thank you. So nervous I am not sleeping but tomorrow is the day. Just want this over so I can get on with my life.
Timeforachange35
April 21, 2015
Good luck tomm! I had my explant and lift done on 4/13 I had my saline implants for 15 years! Now I am on the other side. It's nowhere near as scary as I thought it would be in fact it was a lot easier than my ba! If you have any questions feel free to ask! Wishing you the best!!
svisint
April 22, 2015
Thank you for the encouragement. I had surgery this morning. A little sore and tired but not horrible. I was so scared I almost backed out but thanks to my wonderful husband I went forward and am glad it's over. I had one that's was ruptured that I didn't know so again really glad it's over
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Dove1960
April 22, 2015
Tomorrow is the big day. I'm so happy for you, that you'll be lighter and more free again. Free to be yourself. Many blessings to you!
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