28yo W/ 32D's Back to my 32B's! - Newport Beach, CA

I wouldn't have been as confident about my decision to undergo a breast implant removal if I hadn't found this website! There have been countless photos and personal stories shared on here that have really helped me follow through with what my gut feeling has been telling me for the past 8 years. So thank you all soooo much!

Firstly, I got my implants put in at 19yo (about 8 years from today). Completely for the wrong reasons might I add. I was always happy with my small natural boobies but being 19yo and with little to no confidence, I made the decision to have implants put it. I got 450cc saline through the areola. Immediately after surgery I had horrible bright red stretch marks all over my new big breasts. (I am 5'7", 125lbs, and went from a 32B to a 32D. I have never had kids/ breastfed.) I was depressed for months after surgery until the stretch marks started to fade. I was never truly comfortable with my large chest and constantly trying to cover them. It wasn't for a few years of having them that implant removal was even an option. I had never heard of people removing them so it didn't seem like the normal thing to do. But becoming increasingly burdened by the weight, constant back aches, difficulty working out comfortably, and tender breasts 24/7, I consulted with 2 different plastic surgeons, friends, and family. Everyone told me that I would regret the decision, I would look deformed, they would droop and I'd then have to get a lift with more scars, etc... I was so disheartened by everyone's response that I put the option of removing them aside. Until now!

Doing more research on my own a couple years later I found this website! Seeing all the brave women on here with amazing explant photos and who all seem to have no regrets about following through with explant surgery made me feel confident that I could do it too! That I didn't actually need a lift, I wasn't going to look deformed, and how amazing our bodies are at snapping back! I started to look for posts that were closely related to my age, cc's, length of time with implants, etc.. and in doing so led me to find Dr. Lavinia Chong. I soon called her office to set up a consult. My consult was just yesterday and I couldn't be more at ease with my scheduled explant surgery! Dr. Chong had the most sincere bed-side manner that I've ever experienced with a plastic surgeon. (I used to work for many surgeons so I have had my fair share of condescending Dr.'s) She explained to me that I definitely don't need a lift, I will most likely go back to my pre-implant size of 32B, the procedure can be done under local, and that she was confident I would be happy with my results. I am extremely nervous about having 'empty socks' once my implants are removed though. But I am trying to remind myself how much and for how long I have wanted these out!

My surgery is schedule in 9 days so I will post again with pre-op photos as well as post-op photos. Again, thank you to all the women who've paved the way for more people like me. I can't wait to get my little boobies back!!!

It's been about two years since my explant surgery and I can't say enough how amazing I feel!

I left off having been 9 days out from my surgery date and let me just say I counted down the seconds.

I arrived at the office with my sister where the nurse led me back to the room to take preop photos and gave me a Valium for my nerves (also because I was not having general anesthesia-- surgery was locally done) and Dr. Chong came in and spoke with me about how everything was going to happen step-by-step, asked how I was feeling and to just sit down and relax for a while whilst the Valium kicked in.
When it was time to head to the OR the nurses were unbelievably nice and calming (I was pretty nervous about not going to sleep). I laid on the table where a sheet was put up to block my view. A nurse sat behind me the entire procedure talking to me and making sure I was comfortable.
Dr.Chong let me know that there was going to be a slight pinch while she injected my chest area with the local anesthetic. It wasn't bad at all and was the most pain I felt during the entire process. After I was all numbed up she began by cutting a small 1 inch incision where she believed my natural breasts would fold (which came out perfect), then popped the implant (saline) when I felt the rush of water on my side, and after they cleaned it up she pulled the implant out, irrigated the breast cavity, and then stitched me up! I didn't see any of this happen but Dr. Chong and the nurses were so thorough with explaining everything to me before and during the procedure I felt really comfortable. It was 100% the most bizarre thing I have ever experienced but I am so happy I went with the local anthetic.
After the procedure I walked out of the OR with an ACE bandage around my chest and feeling 50lbs lighter! The sensation of my natural body was truly remarkable. It makes me cringe to ever think that I felt I needed implants to love myself.

Over a matter of days I could see my breast taking shape and filling out more and more. Immediately after they were definitely deflated looking but I just made a point to keep them wrapped or wore a tight sports bra, used coconut oil to keep the skin supple and moisturized and here I am two years later with the most beautiful natural 32b cup breasts ever. I feel so blessed that Dr.Chong and her team gave me hope that my body is strong and totally capable.

I hope that any women who wants to explant finds this site. I know very well there are a lot of doctors out there who will try to upsell unnecessary procedures and try to talk you into smaller implants etc... but listen to your body!!