Can't wait to be just me

I am 45 years old with 14 year old saline implants, under the muscle (I am embarrassed to say I don't remember the size) that I received after seeking a breast lift in 2001. After many years of chronic health problems , i was diagnosed with lupus in 2009. To make a long story short, I decided to have the implants removed because I wanted to alleviate any potential stressors to my already compromised immune system.
I have been wanting to do this for years but I never knew it was an option and, even if it was an option I wasn't sure I could find a PS willing to do the surgery on me due to a clotting disorder that was discovered after I suffered a pulmonary embolism shortly after my initial surgery and was on blood thinners. To complicate matters, I suffered a heart attack last year (a complication attributed to my lupus) which required the placement of a cardiac stent. So now I am on an additional blood thinner plus an aspirin. Needless to say, I am not any surgeons dream.
But in my heart I know that this needs to happen in order for me to achieve my best health. So I went in search of a PS to perform a breast implant removal. I found a surgeon that I thought looked great so I booked a consultation and went in and laid everything out on the table. The PS was very compassionate and understanding, but was also not comfortable operating on me. I completely understood and asked for recommendations for another PS. I booked the consult and, again, laid out all of the challenges associated with operating on someone with my condition. And, even though he knew it would be challenging, this angel agreed that he would perform the surgery. We scheduled the surgery for approximately one month from that date to give me plenty of time to follow up with my hematologist, cardiologist and primary care physician. I also needed time to come off of my Coumadin and Plavix (blood thinners) and start giving myself injections of Lovenox.
I spent the last few weeks scheduling and going to various appointments and received the all clear from all of my doctors (a big relief since I had already put down a deposit plus I had already gotten my hopes up!!) so now I just have to wait. Less than a week to go and I cannot wait! I'll post pictures when I get a chance but I just wanted to go ahead and post this review while I had time.

Ok I'm starting to get nervous. Not like I'm second guessing myself - I'm 100% positive I'm doing the right thing - it's just starting to feel real now. I had to come off of my Coumadin today and start with the Lovenox injections (in my stomach, no less!!) so it finally hit me "I'm doing this!!" I'm super excited and cannot wait - two days to go. I'm just really apprehensive as I am off all of my blood thinners (except aspirin 81 mg - cardiologists orders!) and its always nerve racking not having that layer of protection against blood clots. It's a huge fear of mine to get another blood clot and I hate coming off of my meds but it'll be so worth it. I just keep telling myself to imagine being able to buy shirts that fit right, and two piece bathing suits that don't make me look like I'm trying to model for [RS bleep]! I hate always being aware of my chest. No matter what I do I feel them, big and heavy and in the way. And that's just on the outside. No telling what they are doing to my poor, immune-compromised body on the inside! Who knows, maybe the rash I've had on my chest for 4 years might actually clear up once these toxic bags are gone. That would be nice :)
Anyway, I posting a few "before" photos. I do not actually know my bra size now (I usually wear sports bras to compress my chest size and I wear a large) but i was a 34 B before the BA. I am 5'2" and I weigh 118. The photos aren't great but to put it in perspective, I wear a size small or a size 4 on my bottom half and a size large or a size 8 on my top half. I'll check in again to post my "after" photos in a few days. Wish me luck!!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday after my procedure but I was so tired since I don't think I slept a wink the night before. Overall I feel great!! The most uncomfortable part of all of this is the tight bandage (although I completely understand the reason for it!) and the fact that I want to peek soooo bad!
I will give you the rundown of my procedure day for all you lovely ladies who are either explanting in the near future or for you that are still trying to decide if explant is right for you.
I was originally supposed to report to the Surgery Center at 6:30am but I got a phone call the week before requesting that I show up at 6am to have some labs drawn (to determine if my clotting factors were within range to have the surgery). After having the labs drawn (and paying the fees for the Surgery Center and anesthesia) they called me back to change into a gown. The nurse inserted the IV and the anesthesiologist came to explain his part and tell me we were just waiting for my labs. He gave me something in my IV to calm me. Dr. Johnson came by to say hi (he has such a sweet bedside manner) when we get word that my blood was WAY off. The Dr's were all standing around my bed. There was talk of not being able to do the surgery since it looked like my blood was still too thin from the anticoagulants!!! They ran the sample twice and still no dice. I was getting panicky (good thing I had already gotten a dose of something to calm me!) when my husband (seeing the growing panic in my eyes) suggested that they draw another sample of blood to test again. Otherwise they would have to call off the surgery and consult with my hematologist. Plus, Dr. Johnson didn't have another opening until Thursday (this was Monday) and every day I am off my blood thinner is a risk. I knew I had done everything right regarding coming off my anticoagulants and giving the Lovenox injections so the nurse drew the blood sample and after a 30 minute wait we get the ALL CLEAR! The original sample apparently was contaminated somehow and was not giving an accurate result.
Once we got the all clear I was taken to the procedure room (since we have now had about an hour delay) and with the anesthesiologist on one side of me and Dr. Johnson on the other, I went to sleep.
Waking up there was no real pain, just a kind of burning sensation. The surgical nurse told my husband I might have some burning due to the lidocaine they use when stitching the incision. The recovery nurse gave me a pain pill so I would be pain-free until my husband could get me home and get my prescription filled. The hardest part was the waiting the requisite hour in recovery before I could go home.
I had mild to moderate pain through the evening and into the night and sleeping elevated was difficult but overall I feel great. I feel like I am breathing easier and more deeply than before. I am sorry about the lengthy post but I know I appreciated hearing other experiences when I was trying to decide so I thought I would pay it forward. I will keep you ladies posted but I feel like I can already say, unequivocally, that this was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I am thrilled beyond belief and I have felt better about myself and my health from the first moment I met with Dr. Johnson a month ago.
P.S. I am posting pics of the "after" with the compression bandages. I will post more after my follow up on Thursday :)