POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews
I Removed My Breast Implants 7.5 Months After I Got Them (5 Months Post-Explant)
UPDATED FROM LuvMyNaturalSelf
11 months post
Worst Summer Ever
WORTH IT$9,100
I've always had issues with summer - if I wasn't intensely aware of how inadequate my body appears during the other seasons, summer makes sure to remind me, A LOT. After spending the fourth around a lot of water, and therefore swimsuits, I have never before in my life felt so horrible about the way I look. Thus, I am now seriously considering re-implanting. I have been in therapy for three months now and have seen near zero improvement, so I don't know what other option I have. I cannot live with them the way they are, I simply cannot. I have been researching doctors for awhile now, knowing re-implantation was likely, and hope to make an appointment for a first consult within the next few weeks.
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UPDATED FROM LuvMyNaturalSelf
8 months post
Eight Months Out
It's been eight months since my explant and I've stopped noticing any improvements in the dent, which has been a major bummer. Today, for some reason, has been an especially rough day. I'm finding it hard to stay motivated to work out because I think that no matter what the rest of me looks like, I still have these wonky, scarred boobs. I'm hoping that the therapy I've recently started will help me deal with all these negative thoughts and emotions, but I know it will take awhile.
I have lots of days where I think "what if", which I know isn't the healthiest but I can't help it. I still can't help but be disgusted when I look in the mirror, and I don't think that will ever change. I'm also incredibly angry that my whole implant experience turned out like this when millions of them are so successful.
I wish this post could have been optimistic, but I'd be lying if I said I was happy with how all of this has turned out.
I have lots of days where I think "what if", which I know isn't the healthiest but I can't help it. I still can't help but be disgusted when I look in the mirror, and I don't think that will ever change. I'm also incredibly angry that my whole implant experience turned out like this when millions of them are so successful.
I wish this post could have been optimistic, but I'd be lying if I said I was happy with how all of this has turned out.
Replies (5)
April 28, 2014
I know exactly how you are feeling. I really felt the same way with my surgery (mine wasn't what I thought it would be and millions are successful). You don't look bad at all…try not to be so hard on yourself…hang in there
April 28, 2014
Thank you, it's so nice to have support on here - I'd be lost without it. Have you been able to explant, or at least schedule a surgery? I really hope things are going well for you...
April 28, 2014
I think that your breast look great. You look lovely and very natural ! ;-) Don't be so hard on yourself. I have only had my implants for 3 months and I am scheduled to take them out next month. I am hoping for a great outcome. Cheer up life is short. We must learn from our mistakes. Happy healing (((hugs)))
April 28, 2014
I just read all of your review. It took me a minute to figure out that I was reading an update to an older post! I am so glad you aren't in that place you were pre-explant! I was so emotional just reading it as your emotions were palpable! It was kind of nice to go through that whole experience to know that it mostly resolved itself. I have a couple of thoughts and hopefully they give you encouragement. 1st, I don't think you would probably ever have appreciated your pre-BA breasts, mostly because people always just want what they can't have. It's human nature. The grass is always greener and all that stuff. 2nd, I really, HONESTLY, think you look great and sometimes you just have to accept that this is what you have. It is what it is. The important thing is that you grow from this. In 5, 10, 20 years you are probably going to look back on this and think that you didn't really look bad after all. Because you really don't. I promise.
April 28, 2014
I hope I look half as good as you when I get mine out. I mean it. Stop being so hard on yourself! Honestly you cant even tell you had implants. Just my honest opinion.
June 4, 2014
Hi, I had a breast augmentation May 14, 2014 and I got explanted June 3, 2014. I had 270cc saline implants under the muscle. Before augmentation I was about a 32A. BUT now I don't I am even a 32A. They are so so tiny. They aren't the same as they used to be. I am wondering did yours fluff up or did you end up close to the same size as you used before breast augmentation? Also, my surgeon did not tell me to wear compression bands or sports bra. What worked for you to get them back into shape? Please and thank you.
June 4, 2014
Mine fluffed significantly within the first month, and continued to do so. Now I'm the same size as pre-BA, if not slightly bigger. I was told to wear a compression bra for quite some time, especially around the creases. I think at about 12 weeks (maybe sooner) I was allowed to wear a normal bra as long as I had compression around my crease area.
Time is the best healer, and since you just had yours out yesterday you are no where near your "final" look. Stay positive (I know that can be difficult) and just be patient.
I wish you all the best! =)
June 4, 2014
Thank you so much for your response. It means so much!! :) What kind of compression bra did you wear? What brand was it and where did you purchase it? Sorry for all the questions...I just need to know. And how tight should it feel on my breasts? Thank you so much :) :)
June 5, 2014
I think I just bought a super, super tight sports bra (I think I had a Danskin one and a Champion one), though there are bras out there specifically for compression. I wore it tight enough that it was always noticeable, meaning I never got "used" to wearing it as the day wore on. I always was conscious of the fact that if I breathed too heavily my bra might give out lol.
June 5, 2014
Do you think the tight sports bra really helped when it came to shaping your breasts? I know you mentioned in your journey that you gained weight....Do you suppose your weight gain helped fluff up your breasts or add volume to them? Just wondering since I am super tiny...95lbs and I cannot gain weight no matter what. I am afraid that the only way to get volume in my breasts is by gaining weight. I would love to gain weight but for some reason I cannot. :(
June 5, 2014
My boobs definitely fluffed up on their own. I've actually lost most of the weight I gained, and my boobs still appear to be the same size as pre-op, if not still bigger.
June 5, 2014
Okay thank you for everything! I just hope mine fluff up too and hopefully end up like my pre op :)
UPDATED FROM LuvMyNaturalSelf
5 months post
5 Months Post-Op
Well, it's been five months now - the surgery itself seems like a lifetime ago. I'm still not happy with my boobs, and I don't think I ever will be. I think I could have come to love my old, pre-BA boobs, but obviously that's moot now. My left boob still has remnants of the dent, and I no longer notice any improvements. I'm a bit depressed over the whole situation because I really thought I had a good shot of the dent disappearing completely based on what my doctor said. I still have a slight bit of hope that the dent will disappear by the year mark, but it's fading rapidly.
I used to be decently comfortable with how I looked, minus my boobs, but now, after the surgery and subsequent minor weight gain, I'm almost ashamed of how I look. I try to tell myself that it could be worse, but then a voice always pops up and says, "Yes, but it could be better, too, if you hadn't had to have implants in the first place!" I used to feel somewhat invincible before my BA, too, but now I feel fragile. I hate it.
Fingers crossed that at my year update the dent will be invisible!
I used to be decently comfortable with how I looked, minus my boobs, but now, after the surgery and subsequent minor weight gain, I'm almost ashamed of how I look. I try to tell myself that it could be worse, but then a voice always pops up and says, "Yes, but it could be better, too, if you hadn't had to have implants in the first place!" I used to feel somewhat invincible before my BA, too, but now I feel fragile. I hate it.
Fingers crossed that at my year update the dent will be invisible!
Replies (4)
January 24, 2014
I think you look great! I honestly can't see the dent at all in these pics. But I know because YOU notice it, it still bothers you! I have things I still notice too. I'm so sorry this happened! But I know things will get better. Hang in there. Have you been able to get back in the gym? I've recently started working out and I hope I can continue to keep a consistant routine. I've found it really helps me feel better about myself. Love you girl and if you ever need to talk or anything, please! Don't hesitate to call/txt.
February 25, 2014
I think your natural breasts look great now! I wish my breasts were shaped like yours. At least you have cute, perky nipples! LOL. I hope it doesn't sound weird. I've never liked the shape of my breasts; my nipples are kind of low on my breasts. Meaning: I don't have a lot of breast tissue underneath the nipple area. I had breast implant surgery in 1991 and my breasts hardened about two years after the surgery. I'm researching doctors who work at Kaiser to try to find the best plastic surgeon to do the explantation. I'm kind of freaking out about the whole thing, because my left breast feels like it has a lot of scar tissue. I'm really afraid I'll be disfigured after the surgery. I've read quite a few posts here and I've seen a lot of terms that I don't understand what they mean. So now I'm kind of more confused and nervous than ever! I'm not sure what questions to ask the plastic surgeon before I decide which one to use. Anyway, I just wanted let you know that I think your natural breasts look great now. It must feel good to know those foreign objects are out of your body! I can't wait till mine are, but I hope the result is also good. Thanks for all of your posts; they really help.
April 26, 2014
Hi, you boobs look great at 5 months, so you will be 8 months now? How is it going? Just wondering how the scar experiment went, silicone strips or maderma? Hope all is well [RS bleep]
April 26, 2014
I still have issues at 8 months out, but I recently started therapy in an effort to get over this whole mess. I'm hopeful it'll at least get me to feel somewhat comfortable in my "new" body.
As for the scar treatment, I like the scar strips best. I found the Mederma left a weird residue by the end of the day - not sure if it was from my bra rubbing or what. So I've been doing the strips at night and a Vitamin E capsule in the morning. I did just hear about Mederma PM - I may try that and see if it helps avoid the icky residue.
I hope your explant goes smoothly!
April 27, 2014
Seriously, you breasts at 5 months look really fine, like other people have commented that are a good shape. Once the scars are faded to a nice white line, which apparently can take up to 18 months, a pain but at least it happens in the end, you'll hardly ever know there was anything other than your natural breasts. So you had your fold moved up due the bottoming out, was this a major thing? This probably contributed to the dent I imagine, but you really can't see it, paticuarly in the last photo. How is all looking now? And thank you for the scar info, I'm going to go with the surgeon's advice and use the taping, I've done a fair bit of research on it now and it seems to be the gold standard for all surgical scars, he says at least 3 months, I'm the sort of person who will do it for at least 6 months just incase! Keep posting, and try and stay positive, when you are low you see things differently to how everyone else sees them (trust me, I've been there more than once and received therapy), I believe this is what is happening now as you pic at 5 months looks good. [RS bleep]
April 27, 2014
I haven't read your full story yet, but would you mind telling me how far out from your explant was it before you started using the scar strips? Did your PS approve your use of them? Just curious to know what doctors think. It's been 14 days since my explant was done and I'm using Mederma on the drain openings, but not sure when I can use anything on my incisions. The surgical tape is off now. I'm so glad I had the implants removed, but when I have a sports bra on it am braless right now, I'm FLAT when I have a shirt on! I try to cover my chest when I'm around people, but it's kind of hard to do all of the time and I hate it! Once I heal and can wear a lightly padded bra, I'll be fine, but I'm trying to figure everything out and not go back to feeling sad because of how my chest looks. I am trying really hard to embrace my womanhood just as I am. I DO love having my natural, soft breasts back, though! I keep feeling them and love how soft they are! Only the ladies here would be able to understand about feeling our own boobies and being so tickled with how they feel!! BTW, you look GREAT!!
April 27, 2014
Very good advice, deerhunt. I think we can be our own worst enemy sometimes and we need to stop being so hard on ourselves. I'm glad you mentioned the scar strips being recommended by your doctor and that you like them too. I'm 14 days post-explant and am wondering when I should start using them? I have internal sutures, external glue that seems to be gone and the surgical tape is now gone, so my incisions are bare. They are healing well, but I'm not sure how long to wait. I can shower, but no soaking in water yet. Thanks!!
April 27, 2014
No, I don't think you can soak in water until 6 weeks (?), just not worth it. My surgeon put the tape on at 10 days and has basically said it should always be on for 3 months, it's micropore surgical tape, apparently excellent at preventing the scars becoming raised and wide, creams and silicone gels etc are excellent too but they don't stop any pulling on the scar. There is info online on how to apply it, it falls of after a few days (you can get it wet), don't pull it off prematurely and don't pull it across the scar when putting on, just place it at pat down. I'm happy to wear it also because it hides the scars, I'll wear it everyday for 6 months so I don't have to look at them! One thing I did find it that I was wearing the most seamless Ahh bra type thing and my incisions got really iritated, so the last week I've just worn a vest for comfort. Well done you for explanting after so many years by the way, it must feel amazing [RS bleep]
April 28, 2014
I had surgical tape on my incisions for about three weeks until they fell off. I had a bit of a problem with my incisions and puss (only a topical infection), so I had to wait an extra couple weeks until they healed again to start using the strips. My scars are a very light pink now at 8 months out, so I'm going to continue to treat them until the two year mark and then re-evaluate and see if laser therapy is truly necessary.
Replies (5)