Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Have the Explant and Not Revision - Melbourne, FL

Name: Have the Explant and Not Revision - Melbourne, FL
Item: Roxanne Guy, MD (retired)
Rating: 5
Author: flamom

ORIGINAL POST

Hello my name is Jean and this is my first post. I...

flamomJanuary 31, 2013

WORTH IT$4,900

Hello my name is Jean and this is my first post. I am distressed to say the least. I found out yesterday my left breast implant has leaked out. It is a low profile smooth implant 550cc. I saw my PS yesterday and she seems to think it is pretty much empty. I have no idea how or when this happened. The first I noticed was Saturday that they seemed a little off but thought it was do to a missing underwire in my bra. Then yesterday in the shower was the first big clue. They happened to have a cancellation and got me in the same day.

They are 13 years old almost to the day. My original surgery was Feb 1st 2000. I am of course worried that if I have new implants put in it could happen again and I can't afford a third go around if something went wrong again as this as everyone knows is not cheap. My husbands reaction was "Just get the dam things out!" He was never gung ho about it in the first place but since I wanted them he went along. He says of course he likes the way they look but could live without them. I am 51 years old and going over and over in my head if I should just get them out or have them redone.

I know they will not look the same I get that, they probably will look worse than I started with. At this stage is it really worth the fear it will happen again and I won't be able to a thing about it. I have always kept up on my mammograms but now not knowing for sure how this happened or when I will be even more nervous. I know that with the saline implants you usually can tell right a way if there is a leak but some have said it could have been a slow leak around the valve over a period of months. I tend to think it has been going on awhile because I have had some sensations in that breast for a few months I just thought it was peri-menopausal stuff. Now I am not so sure.

Any thoughts on if my implant is pretty much empty right now, how much different they will look with the implant out? You can tell the left is smaller right now but I still have some breast and I could live with that size since I always thought they were a bit big.

When I got the implants I did not weigh as much as I do now so that will have an impact too. Also the implants are under the muscle.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. After writing that sentence it is almost comical. Not really. I have to obviously make a decision soon, I just want to make the right one as you can imagine.

flamom's provider

Roxanne Guy, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

flamom rating for Dr. Guy:

Overall rating

Doctor's bedside manner

Answered my questions

After care follow-up

Time spent with me

Phone or email responsiveness

Staff professionalism & courtesy

Payment process

Wait times

Replies (9)

Angie_M

February 1, 2013

I'm so glad you started your story on RealSelf! Choosing to have them out is a big decision, but you're right that new implants will possibly cause more expense down the road.

I hope you're able to come to a decision you feel at peace with soon. Looking forward to seeing your pics.

Nomore80'slook

February 4, 2013

I'm looking to have old implants removed/not replaced. I'm also considering a lift. Does anyone know of a really good plastic surgeon in San Diego that doesn't push Implant replacement? What a nerve racking process! Thanks!

Neffy

February 2, 2013

I think you've really answered your own question ;) and your comment on my review leads me to believe that you've made the right choice. Honestly, in my opinion (having had a rupture and also capsules), it's not worth the trauma on your body or your long term health - not to Mention the cost. They've been fun right? You've got some great pics of yourself with an impressive 'rack'? Good. Now get the leaky buggers out and feel better :)) Good luck with everything. We're here for you x

flamom

February 3, 2013

Yep they were fun while they lasted and I do have some good pics to remember them by! At times though I thought they looked huge, so smaller, little ones, ones that aren't leaking who knows what out will be a nice change. These are saline and I hope they were still sterile when it leaked but it is unsettling not knowing for sure.

LuvRealBoobsInOR

February 2, 2013

I'm 35, and getting mine removed without replacement. One of my thoughts is I don't want to have another elective surgery at 50 +/-. And then if I replaced again... Another revision breast job at 65? Then 80? Where does it end? Besides that, I'm in a different place mentally than when I got them. At age 23 I thought I was 'not attractive' because of my small breasts, i was insecure about my gorgeous youthful body but really I was fairly immature and vapid (like most young girls) and had no idea how nice my body was. 12 years later, I've aged a bit and had babies and my body actually has been banged up by life - but I love it because its mine and has taken me on life's adventure. I feel now there is so much more to me than boobs or lack of them, and I feel sexiness comes from confidence, experience and attitude -- not boob size. I am no longer in the mindset of 'casting a wide net' and being oogled by the general population of men -- i am more concerned with nurturing my marriage and on how my decisions impact my family financially and in terms of my long term health. Surely at age 51 you have so much attractiveness and sensuality to offer your partner, that comes from love and shared experience and implants are not required for that. Leave fake boobs to shallow young twits who want attention from groups of frat boys and have no long term realism of the health implications, possible rupture, capsular contracture, or just replacement surgeries that happen as the implants age. Just my opinion, but I think as you are transitioning into a new life stage that holding onto a media-driven self image of fake boobs will not end up meaning much to you or your partner over the next couple of decades. I'm removing mine in anticipation (and in embracing?) of my present middle-age and future peri-menopause/menopause. At my age trying to surgically emulate the fake breasts of 19 year old Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and Victoria Secrets angles is so low on my list of priorities that it doesn't even register... And trying to surgically 'fix' everything well into old age and ending up looking like Joan Rivers? A horrific nightmare in my opinion. If you are feeling torn about it, I think you should give yourself the chance to try natural again and you might be surprised.

flamom

February 3, 2013

Thanks for your reply! I am at age 51 and would be looking at this again and again! No thanks, I will be done with them here soon. I have made up my mind and it seems by your post that you read my mind before I could write it myself, thank you! I didn't get mine until almost forty and would have made very poor choices if I had gotten them younger for all the reasons you stated. Wanting to get attention and all that goes with it! I was already married and had my children and breastfed for three years! For the last 13 years they were fine but this leak is a sign that they have to go!

AmandaAgain

February 4, 2013

loved reading your comment . . . had my explant surgery in november--and am positively thrilled to be implant-free. you have a great perspective and some well-earned wisdom. best of luck to you!

Lido0320

February 6, 2013

Great comment- I have also scheduled an explant for Feb 15, 2013. I have been having second thoughts! I am not having issues- I did have them redone smaller from 425 to 325 2 yrs ago and had a capsule but now they r fine but I am 51, single but Think I am ready to go natural, these are hard, size d-dd...and although I love them..I don't want to have to worry someday about them leaking..or another issues,. The thought of implants in our body is creepy! I was originally a C and I hope to get that back... The DD gets old! I was haing second thoughts today..and this has helped.

Hula girl 53

February 10, 2013

Thank you for your pearls of wisdom! Listen up, gals, she know what she is talking about!

UPDATED FROM flamom

25 days pre

After living with this news for almost a week now...

flamomFebruary 3, 2013

After living with this news for almost a week now I am more sure than before that I will have them removed. Now to have a lift or not is the question. When I see my PS for the official , what am I going to have done, appointment I will explore all my options again and see what she thinks. The first appointment was really to see if the implant had failed. We did talk about options and at first my thought was of course I am getting them redone. Now that time has passed I am getting more used to the idea of just getting them out for good.

I know this sounds crazy but I am thinking of having an explant party! Just my closest girlfriends and have a few drinks and snacks. Maybe throw darts at balloons. Only for the fact that this whole thing came about because of a leak with the implant not to poke fun at implants in general. Let me be clear I LOVED my boobs before this happened and am glad I had them done. The thing is this is my reality right now and always knew the possibility was there so I just have to go with it. I may hate the results, I hope not, I am thinking positive results.

If there was no chance that I would not have another problem of any kind I would for sure get them redone but there is no way you can be sure so I can only do this twice so I will have to live with my results.