Saying Goodbye to 15.5 Yr Old Implants - Can't Wait to Be Small and Natural - NJ

This website and the posts by the members have been extremely informative and helpful. I would like to share my story in hopes it may be of some help to others.

I am 51 yrs old, 5'5 and 125 lbs. I have had my Mentor round (350cc filled to 405cc, submuscularly placed, transaxillary incision) saline implants for 15.5 years. I got them a year after the birth of my 2nd child. I was always small chested, about a 32A. During my pregnancies, my breasts were fuller and I really liked the look and feel of a more "womanly" body. I breast fed for several months and when I stopped, my breasts shrunk back and were a little sadder looking. Around that time, several of the aerobics instructors at my gym got implants so I decided to get them too. I used their surgeon and asked for a full C because all the posts by women in the BA forums said they wish they went bigger. The result was closer to a 34D. While I was thrilled to finally have boobs and cleavage, I was also self conscious of them and avoided tight tops. I guess you can say it was a love/hate relationship. I have not had any problems with my implants in the years I've had them. But with every passing year, I began to worry more frequently about deflation while I'm on vacation. I also began to notice older women with implants and thought how obvious it looked - I didn't want to be one of them. I have received a few passing comments from female friends and acquaintances on the size of my chest, although several people I confided in never suspected I have implants.

Recently two women I know got silicone implants from a local PS they highly regard. Also, for the past few months, I've felt some tightness in my left breast when I lay on my back. I decided it was time to see the PS for a downsize revision consultation. During the consultation, the PS mentioned she would deflate me first so the tissue can retract allowing for better pre-op size planning. She also said I may be happy with my natural size and decide just to explant. It never occurred to me to explant only because my female OB/GY had said once I have implants, I would always need to have them (goes to show to consult with the expert, and not to take any doctor's word for it.) So the PS sowed the seed of possibility in my head and I started my research which brought me to this website. All the successful and happy explant stories have fueled my determination to explant. Plus I really don't want to deal with implants when I'm in my 60s and 70s. The pictures here have been so helpful and gives me hope I too will have a positive explant outcome.

So three weeks after my initial consult, I went back and had my saline implants partially deflated. The PS took out 40% of the saline and said the remainder should leak out on its own in the next 2-3 weeks. I loved the way my breasts looked immediately after the deflation, They look more natural and they feel so soft. There is no more discomfort in my left breast when I lay on my back. When I mentioned it to the PS during consult, she said it may be capsular contracture. It has been over one week since the partial deflation and while they feel like they are getting smaller, they don't really look any smaller. My next appointment is in 2 weeks and the PS may end up taking more saline out.

I feel awkward showing images of my boobs, but the pictures shared by other members have been really helpful so it's only fair to do the same. :) I will post more as things develop. Thanks for reading.

I want to provide some info on how the partial deflation was performed. It was done in the PS's office. She gave me the option of numbing the skin prior to inserting the needle, I opted not to have it applied (it was fine, no pain or discomfort.) She prepped the area and inserted a needle with a syringe to the lower side of the breast and aspirated the saline out. She did this twice on each breast retrieving 160cc saline out of 405cc (40% reduction .) The color of the saline was clear, no particles. I was afraid to look at first but much to my surprise, they didn't look too different except for the fullness on the upper pole was gone and they didn't look as taut. The PS said most of the saline should leak out within 2-3 weeks.

It has been 10 days since the partial deflation and my breasts have not deflated completely - at least I don't think they have. It would be ironic if most of the saline has leaked out and what is left is my natural breast tissue and I'm expecting the results to be smaller. I honestly don't remember what I looked like pre BA and I don't have any pictures since my original PS does not have my photos any longer. I think there has been some gradual reduction but it's hard to tell for sure. I certainly don't fill my regular bras like I did before, especially on the smaller right side.

One benefit of doing the partial deflation is that no one has noticed the reduction in size. I still wear the same workout clothes to my fitness classes (I feel so much more limber and lighter!) I'm hoping by the time the shells are removed, people will just think I lost some weight. I'm looking forward to lose a bit of my belly fat and feel I can do so now and not worry about my chest looking even bigger.

I posted a partial deflation question in the Q&A section and several doctors have responded. It seems each has their own method for deflation. Some will deflate their patients completely, others will do partial deflation. I'm glad my PS did the partial because it allows me to get use to the gradual reduction and continue with my daily activities without feeling self conscious.

It's been 3 weeks since my 1st partial deflation. Today I had my follow up visit with the PS. She said there is still quite a bit of saline left so she aspirated more out of each breast. My left breast deflated more than the right side so she took out 70cc. On my right breast, she took out 130cc. So between the 2 deflations, she aspirated a total of 230cc from the left and 290cc from the right (out of the original 405cc.) Not quite sure how much saline remains but we are done with aspirating. It was a tad painful when she inserted the needle today - maybe it's because I caught a glimpse of how big the needle was!

Some info on the upcoming explant surgery - it will be performed in an outpatient surgery center, general anesthesia, inframammary incision (under the breast), the capsules will be removed. PS said I won't need a lift. My surgery is set for the end of May and my next visit to see her is for pre-op physical at the beginning of May. I got a revised quote for explant only $6300 (versus $12,000 for the original revision quote where she would replace my old saline implants with silicone implants.) Everything in NJ is expensive. I know I can get it done cheaper if I call around but I'm comfortable with her and she has done a number explants before.

I'm posting some pictures from today, after the deflation. The front view picture makes my boobs look bigger than they actually are.