Explanting After Many, Many Years - Los Alamitos, CA

Not much has altered since my last post, except that the wrinkling that occurred near my right nipple when I raise my arm has disappeared. Heartening! I've been massaging with coconut oil and applying silicone strips to the incision sites daily. I think it's working. Well, it's hard to say for sure, but the scars are flatter. I have exactly zero tenderness or pain. I'm back to the gym (less weight) and to yoga.

I'm off to Eastern Europe for a couple of weeks and packing has been really fun. All the camisole tops I want! I got some pretty little numbers for dinners out, and at a size 34A/B I cannot possibly look like an aging [RS bleep] star. I'm excited. I've posted some fabulously light bras I purchased on-line and my new swimsuit. I'm not a very racy person, so the suit is still somewhat conservative, but I think this is one that doesn't make me look super flat.

So, because I'm not going to be on this site for a while (as my time here is mostly done), I want to say a deep and profound thank you to all those ex-planters who went before me and paved the proverbial way back to nature. It's hard to articulate how this whole process has made me feel. Kind of wholesome, although that's not exactly the right word (which reminds me of something out of Alcott's Little Women. Purified. Better in mind and body.

If anyone ever needs me for anything - please email me through the site. Like a reformed smoker, I want everyone to be ex-planted! I'd be happy to help and share and commiserate. Likely, in a year, I'll post one last time. I love you all.

I go to my last post-op appointment late this week and afterwards I may make my last post, unless my boobs do something miraculous in the coming year(s). As you can see from the photo (I'm sitting), there is not much change. I've been massaging, and because I didn't have the capsules removed, I can sometimes hear a little crackling as they move under the muscle. At least that's what I think it is. I'll definitely ask about this.

Additionally, my left breast still has a shadow of a bruise while the the incisions on the right are not healing as rapidly. Very odd. Even the little scar revision the surgeon did for me above my right breast is still very visible. I want to know if I can start scar therapy treatments now, so I'll ask him about using the Scar Away strips.

Still, neither breast has any residual pain or tenderness. It's miraculous. They feel very good, somewhat firm yet soft. I'm still getting used to being so flat. And, believe me, I'm flat. The photos make me look slightly larger than I am in genuine life. When I raise my arms, both breasts flatten out significantly, and I can really feel that happen when I'm wearing a bra and the shell of the cup deflates. I want to say that I've embraced myself 100%, but the honest fact is that when I go out, I put on a push-up bra and insert those little silicone cutlets to give me a lift.

What's more interesting is that the changes that are being made this month are mostly in my head. I went to yoga class last night and felt - for almost the first time in 25 years - free from the consciousness of having implants. I was always so aware of them before, since I knew they felt and looked unnatural.

People my age may remember that old slogan for the Dow Corporation: "Better living through Chemistry," but in my case I think better living will be achieved without a new set of scientifically improved implants.

I think my slight sadness over my newly small chest has finally evaporated. I still feel a little weird, but I feel better every day. I think I might be getting accustomed to my own self. My physical health has improved - although not exercising for three weeks has done some short-term damage. I returned to yoga class, but took it fairly easy. This coming Monday, which is two days from now, I'll return to the gym and begin to work back into my routine. I keep reminding myself to go slow, like a zen monk.

Time is the miracle drug. I'm not noticing much in the way of "fluffing," but the incisions are healing fairly well. I can't wait to begin the scar treatment. I'm also coming around to liking my new smaller boobs. Some of the clothes I used to wear don't look good on me anymore - but I'm viewing that as an excuse to re-vamp my wardrobe.

Last Friday I went to Nordstrom's and got fitted properly for bras. I can hardly believe that I'm a 34B. And actually, even though that's my bra size, my right breast doesn't quite fill out the cup. I purchased a silicone thing called a "cutlet" which helps fill out that side. I do NOT feel like a B, but I can't argue with success. The bras that I tried on fit fairly well (except for that one difficult, obstreperous boob). I completely advise going to get professionally fitted.

The bras have boosted my esteem a little bit. I dropped quite a chunk of change on these things, so I hope they last. I will not be able to afford going to continue my relationship with Nordstrom's, but I now know what to look for in bras.