Bilateral Removal of Breast Implants in Relation to Capsulectomy -NHS GB

I had my pre-operative assessment on Monday. They tested my blood, MRSA swab, BP 120/66, BMI 22 (the NHS will not carry out this operation if you are over a BMI of 25, smoker),etc. I will have general anesthesia so I have been asked not to eat after midnight the night before, I can only have some sips of water that morning, luckily I am not a very hungry person first thing in the morning, I have to be at the hospital at 7a.m on Monday 29th. I have been asked not to put on any creams or perfume after my shower. The nurse told me she thought the operation would take 2-3 hours, I have had my implants for 32 years and the PS is performing a capsulectomy. I hope he doesn't struggle too much getting the capsules out. I have been watching videos on u-tube so I know what to expect. When the PS take them out, on the videos, they seem to be very thorough so that is a relief. I am confident that my PS will do a good job. They have also been removing a lot of implants lately because of the PIP health scare, so they must have gained more experience too. I can't believe anyone wants them replaced.
I am wondering what to eat the night before. I had general anesthesia 20 years ago for another operation and I was very sick afterwards and they had to keep me in overnight. The doctor said I wouldn't be spending the night at the hospital but the nurse thought differently. It is a multi- disciplinary team so we'll see. Whenever I have been treated at the NHS they have been very good and molly coddled me! I am very grateful that we have this great institution in the UK. I am also looking forward to sharing my experience with all of you. Thank you very much for your support girls!! X

The word to describe how I feel is, joyful!! A big thank you, explant girls and realself for all the support and insights you have given me throughout my pre-op waiting time!!
Thank you to the NHS, my sweet P.S, lovely nurses and staff, everyone and everything went well, like a dream today, even though I have had an operation and I have now 2 drains attached to me until wednesday, the day after tomorrow!!
We arrived at 7 a.m, I had my pre-op conversation with the anethesist first thing, I told him everything relevant he needed to know, history of migraines with sickness, IBS, light asthma and Gerd. He asked me to take my asthma inhaler dose there and then, and I was given medication for sickness and Gerd. It is very important to have this chat with the anethesist. I went to the ward and was given a bed while I waited. I was put on compression stockings, disposable knickers and gown.
My P.S came to see me pre-op to mark my chest with a felt tip pen and he had a young doctor with him. He asked me if I had any questions to ask, well, I told him I had been educating myself on-line and he was so impressed with what I had to say and question that he said he would let me do the explaining and let his trainee doctor listen. He was bemused,LOL. He is really lovely, caring and willing to listen, I told him about Realself and that I have also watched a very well made video online made by a PS surgeon where he explains a procedure similar to mine step by step.
The operation started at 10.00 a.m., I was wheeled into the pre-op room where I was given an oxygen mask for 5 minutes while I was plugged into the monitors. They now strap the BP monitor to one calf and it aches quite a bit, like cramp, but it doesn't matter because you go under and you don't feel anything during the operation. They also strap a massaging strap on to the other leg calf to prevent DVT, that feels nice. The anethesist and nurses were so friendly and good at putting me at ease. He injected the brew and said you will soon feel as though you've had a couple of glasses of wine and go to sleep. Well, I haven't been drinking alcohol lately so I told him it would be sooner as I haven't been drinking alcohol lately, I had barely finished saying this that I was out!
Woke up at 10.10 a.m in the post operative room as if from a good night's sleep! with a nurse next to me asking me how I was. I felt fine, only some pain were the inciscion was made so I was given a few doses of morphine, little by little until I was pain free. They continued monitoring BP, temperature and they sent me back to my ward when they were happy everything was ok. I was still a bit merry from the cocktail, no sickness, not even a scratchy throat, although it felt very dry. I had plenty of water, a sandwich and of course, a cup of tea, I live in England!! The English are so sweet, they always offer you tea, on any and every occasion and event in your life, even straight after childbirth.
I was seen again by my PS after lunch and he was pleased that he had found more breast tissue than we thought there might be. Post menopausal fluff or fat? I am 5.5ft tall and weigh 54k, not a lot more than when I was 27 years old, maybe 2k more.He told me both had ruptured but luckily within the capsule so no silicone had leaked into my chest. He took the two capsules out entirely, this is why my operation lasted 2 hours Phew!! They are Dow silicone. I forgot to ask him for their measurement! I have gone from 34B to A. There is zero blood coming out at the moment and I have just checked, relieved to see I have lost serum, blood equally on each breast, 20ml, very little. I hope that's it.
My breasts look, to me normal, natural and ok, what is most important is I love them!, understanding that I need to be patient and wait for things to settle down. I will post pictures tomorrow. I decided it would be better to take them in daylight which doesn't create shadows like my pre-op pictures. My M&S high impact sports bra compresses them well too. As a matter of fact it even feels better to me than the Macon and it is nearly half the price. I will get another one.
I was discharged and told to contact immediately should I notice any signs of infection or changes.
It is now nearly 14 hours after my operation and I am pain free. They offered me to take home codeine or tramadol but I don't like how I have felt in the past withe these so they told me to take Ibuprofen instead. I have taken 2 ibuprofen now in case I wake up in pain tonight. It is bedtime here now so goodnight to you all!! X

The M&S bra seems at the moment made to measure, 34A , tight but not too tight, it offers very good compression and it is slightly padded and soft to the skin, I'm very pleased with it! M&S Sport High Impact non wired crop top, details in case any of you want to check it out. I had ordered a Macon but when it arrived in my size, 34, it was so wide that it fitted over my implants! so i returned it, asked for a size 32 which they did not have available. Having tried the Macon I can tell you that apart from the inconvenience of having to do the strap at the back, the M&S bra seems to feel and fit better at nearly half the price, £19.50. It is more flattering too.

The drains are out. I saw my PS this morning and he decided I did not need them anymore. Next week I will have the strips that are covering the stitches removed and checked by a nurse in our local surgery. I will see my PS in 6 weeks for a review. Everything seems to be running smoothly. I have been asked to avoid rubbing any antiseptic creams or creams of any kind in my breast, scar area. We have natural defenses, oils that act as anti bacterials. They are secreted by the mammary glands.
The nurse who took the drains out told me it looked as though my body was rejecting them already. No more plastic in there, please!

I received my discharge letter with operation details in the post today. The right implant had ruptured, intracapsular. The left gel had bled. The area was thoroughly washed out. Blakes drain inserted into each (out now).
According to some research I have been reading: Silicone is used in cleaning solvents, handcreams, hair and skin products and anti perspirants. Silicone from these sources is absorbed primarily through the skin.
Silicone in food processing and packaging including canning and pre-prepared meals, babies teats and dummies. Silicone from these sources is absorbed primarily through the gastrointestinal tract.
It is also incorporated in some medicines and medical devices. People with insulin dependent diabetes are exposed to small but regular doses of silicone oil.
The overall biological response to silicone is consistent with conventional forms of response to foreign materials rather than an unusual toxic reaction. Low grade chronic invasion may account for some of the non specific illnesses noted in some women with silicone gel implants.
Safety is not an absolute concept. Deliberate invasive procedures carry a risk to health.

Feeling a lot better and lighter today, I have lost 2 lbs in weight, the implants and capsule? No pain, the bruising is showing now but hardly noticeable. I slept well last night for the first time since the operation and woke up lying on my left side. I only have steri strips covering the stitches, no bleeding or swelling. I have been wearing a sports compression bra 24 hrs and I think I would feel very vulnerable without it at the moment! I had a short flat walk, 2 miles, no jiggling, pain or discomfort.

I peeled off the steri strips this morning, the scar area was itching. No bleeding or inflamation. I checked on 3M's reccomendations regarding steri strips and they can be left 1-2 weeks in place and be replaced with new ones if necessary. My scars look ok so I don't need them replaced. I have a little bruising which is going yellow now (good sign) below both breasts.
I will have a shower, no shower creme on the breast area for a while though, don't want to irritate the skin.
I did a longer flat ground 8 mile walk yesterday and I'm feeling fine! I will post some more pictures in a few days time. X

The practice nurse had a look at the incisions yesterday, day 10 , she remarked on how well the healing was going and she advices me to use calendula ointment now, Welleda and Nelsons in the UK are known brands. I asked about Bio oil and she thought I should wait till the incisions are completely healed before using it.
I am feeling stronger everyday, have a 6-8 mile walk, sleeping well and on my tummy, without having to prop pillows as before!! Wishing you all lots of good healing hugs! X

I have a correction to make. At the beginning of my review I said I was originally a 32A-B. The error is B, more A-AA!! Lol

I had my first bike ride yesterday since the operation. It has been 2 weeks since and I have also regained feeling in my nipples. I lost all feeling in my nipples when I had the implant operation!! Amazing!! Even if I had cancer and had to have the leftover tissue I have removed, I would not have implants replaced, ever!! I am so happy with what I have! A big hug to you all X

I had my last appointment with Mr.Akali, he was very pleased that I am happy with the results. He thinks that this is more or less what they will look like and that there won't be any change in appearance in future, phew! He is amazed how well informed I am so I told him to log on Realself!
A big thank you and a hug to all of you wonderful girls!