60 Years Old, Implants at 18, Never Felt Right - Michigan, MI

This site has been so helpful. I never knew what steps to take to get these out. I have decided to explant. I have some concerns. My doctor could not show any pictures of after explant. Should I be concerned about this? He comes highly recommended by women on this site. My insurance will likely cover it but I will need to go out of network which means it will cost more for me, less for my insurance. However, it is not going to be an easy surgery due to silicone and full capsulectomy, so I wanted an experienced doctor. Also, I am concerned because my doctor said I could get surgery on Friday and be back to work on Monday. I am taking the week off. Hopefully I will have totally recovered by the time I go back to work. Looking forward to being tiny and natural! I have almost no breast tissue. Although I was able to breast-feed four kids with no problems. So there must be something there!

So here is my story. I was always flat, Zero breast tissue with perhaps only nipples, all the way through high school and very embarrassed about it. I recall one of my best friends noting that I was the only one who didn't need a bra and wore one . All the other girls were burning their bra (1970's-haha) but I couldn't... I needed the padding! In any case, my dear mother wanted to fix me and took me to a plastic surgeon. I was 17 years old and very ashamed. The only thing I remember from that appointment is my mother asking the surgeon what would he do if it were his daughter. Guess what his answer was! So I got implants shortly after graduating high school. They weren't me! I hated them! I was athletic and they were always in my way.. They were way too big for my very petite frame. I had no idea what to do, what to say, how to reverse this horrible situation. So I ended up doing and saying nothing for years upon years upon years. Thank God for the Internet! I decided to get on and try to figure this out. Last year I learned some and this year I found this site...so helpful! I've gained 30 pounds so I've actually grown into these, but this didn't happen until well into my 40s and beyond. This site has been so helpful with the pictures and stories. I am so much more sure that I want to be my flat self again. A year ago I wasn't ready to lose these implants even though I didn't like them. They've been a part of me for 42 years and that's pretty hard to readjust my thinking and body image but now I am ready. So very ready!

I have told my two daughters and my three best friends. It was hard to do but they were all shocked that I had implants. They couldn't believe it because it is just not me, it is not who I am. I am having a difficult time telling my son. I do think he needs to know. I'll be in recovery and he'll need to know what is going on. So after I write this my plan is to tell him and his wife. So awkward!

I asked a question on this site about the expected recovery time from silicone breast implants from the 1970s and their removal. It is very telling the answers that I got from the various doctors. I think many of them have only had experience with saline implants and don't realize the difference between the old silicone implants and the silicone implants that are currently used. My friend works for a plastic surgeon and she explained the difference to me. The old silicone implants have a very sticky substance about them and removal, especially if they have ruptured, is difficult. The new silicone implants are like gummy bears. So safer due to no leaking possible. My surgeon also explaied this but what is so confusing is that he thought I could get them out Friday and go back to work on Monday. From what I've seen on this site I don't think I could go back to work that quickly so I am taking the week off. I have some concerns that he thinks my recovery will be that quick when he expects the operation to be fairly extensive because of how old the implants are. I was also disappointed that he didn't have before and after pictures. This seems important to most women. But he came highly recommended on this site by a couple of different women and the way he explained things it does sound like he knows what he's talking about. Maybe he is such a good surgeon he doesn't expect much pain on my part!

Thanks to all who have posted pictures. They have been very helpful. I don't know if I will get that brave. I'm also a little afraid that they'll end up in my iCloud which I do not want....

Made my payment for my deductible today, pre-op needed a phone call only. Paperwork dropped off....Ready to go!! I am feeling very positive about this. Although nervous about surgery and recovery. But in general can't wait for this to be behind me. I will try to post before and after pics closer to the date...maybe... The pics others have posted were so, so helpful and I want to give that back, but am feeling very shy about it.