Saline Implant Removal-No Lift-No Replacement - Newport Beach, CA

I got saline implants (300cc) under the muscle in 1996 when I was 26 years old. I am now 43 and ready to have them out. I never liked the implants from day 1, but kept them because I had paid so much and was afraid removal would be as painful as implantation. Every day of the past 17 years I've wished I didn't have the implants, even though my natural breasts were almost nonexistent. I've looked at hundreds of before/after photos on RealSelf and haven't seen any 'before' pics that were as small as mine. Despite that fact, I would still rather have those nonexistent breasts than these large, uncomfortable balls in my chest that make me uncomfortable 24/7 and make me look heavier than I am.
When I got the implants, all I thought about was improving my breast appearance and I didn't consider how it would actually feel to have them. It doesn't feel good. I had been a college athlete and did 200 push ups/day prior to my implantation, and being physically active brought me greater joy than anything else in my life. After implantation, that all changed. The implants went under the muscle and greatly diminished my upper body strength. I could no longer play the sports I loved as well as I used to (tennis, basketball, golf, etc.) and felt self-conscious about the implants in tight workout clothes. I was certain everyone could tell I had fake breasts, and I never felt like "myself" again. After reading other women's stories on RealSelf, I now know that removal won't be at all as painful as implantation and that the majority of women who remove theirs are extremely happy with the results. That was enough to convince me that removal is the best way to go.
I had a consultation with an amazing doctor in Newport Beach yesterday, Lavinia Chong, who said that the implants could be easily removed under local anesthesia. It will not be necessary to remove the capsules or have a lift, and I will not require drains. I was ecstatic to hear that news. I only wished she could take them out at that moment. I've had them for so long and am so uncomfortable with them that it's hard to wait another day, even though I've already waited 17 years. Dr. Chong's incredibly kind, helpful assistant/receptionist, Nancy, said there was a possible opening on November 26, but she's going to call me later this week to confirm. I might be able to get in sooner if someone else cancels, or sometime in December if the November 26 slot isn't available, but she said I'll definitely get in before the end of the year. I'm very eager to get them out, but realize I need to be patient and grateful for the fact that it won't be a painful, difficult procedure. And I am! :) I'm very happy about the prospect of finally having these off of me, even though my original breasts are virtually nonexistent. I would rather have nothing than keep these any longer. There's also a chance that I'll have more breast tissue than I did in 1996 since I've gained about 10-15 pounds since then. I'm not keeping my hopes up for that, but it is possible. Honestly, how I feel is more important to me than how they ultimately look. I'm so tired of them being in the way, uncomfortable, pulling on my skin, weighing me down, making me look heavier than I am in clothes and making me feel self-conscious all the time. I'm ready to be the slim, athletic me again.
The photos I've posted show my pre-implant chest in 1996, my post-implant chest the day after I got my implants in 1996 (lots of swelling and super high), and my chest as it looked yesterday (Nov 2, 2013). None of the pics are very pretty, and I'm sure when I have them removed the post-removal photos won't be gorgeous either since I didn't start with much. But at least I'll be free and won't be fake and uncomfortable anymore. That's what's most important.

I made a mistake in my previous post. I said Nancy is Dr. Chong's assistant/receptionist, but she's actually the patient counselor. She answered my initial questions, filled me in on what to expect and took care of the business side of things. She immediately made me feel comfortable and at ease. The overall vibe of Dr. Chong's office is very positive, welcoming and warm, and I'm glad I found her. Still waiting for confirmation of the surgery date. Will post again when I know it.

The first three pics are of me before my breast augmentation in 1996 (age 26). I was very slim and athletic, did 200 push ups/day and had very little breast tissue.

The next three photos are how my breasts look today/2013 (age 43) -- after augmentation, before explantation.