POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Gone and... Gone!
ORIGINAL POST
Twelve years ago, when I was 24, I made the...
WORTH IT$2,400
Twelve years ago, when I was 24, I made the impulsive, VERY impulsive, decision to get breast implants. Being an extremelly small 34AA, the only thing on my mind was the ability to buy cute bras and actually fit into a bikini top.
I won't lie, in the beginning, it was a rough transition. I wasn't prepared for the psychological affects having fake boobs would have on me. But after a couple of months of my new 34C implants settling in and becoming more natural feeling by the day, my self esteem increased dramatically. I could wear almost anything. Oh, my priorities were right on track, huh? Lol.
Well, over the last 12 years, with lifestyle and career changes my implants have moved, shifted, and become kind of uncomfortable. They're just plain uneven. I'm constantly feeling the need to adjust them throughout the day. It's a very odd feeling.
So, here I am.... still deciding and teetering. In the past week I've had two phone conversations with two different PS in my area. I also have a face-to-face consultation with my original PS nurse on April 22nd. It seems that money is the only thing holding me back right now. And I'm trying very hard this time to not be impulsive.... ; )
I won't lie, in the beginning, it was a rough transition. I wasn't prepared for the psychological affects having fake boobs would have on me. But after a couple of months of my new 34C implants settling in and becoming more natural feeling by the day, my self esteem increased dramatically. I could wear almost anything. Oh, my priorities were right on track, huh? Lol.
Well, over the last 12 years, with lifestyle and career changes my implants have moved, shifted, and become kind of uncomfortable. They're just plain uneven. I'm constantly feeling the need to adjust them throughout the day. It's a very odd feeling.
So, here I am.... still deciding and teetering. In the past week I've had two phone conversations with two different PS in my area. I also have a face-to-face consultation with my original PS nurse on April 22nd. It seems that money is the only thing holding me back right now. And I'm trying very hard this time to not be impulsive.... ; )
Sonnybutters's provider
UPDATED FROM Sonnybutters
5 months pre
I tried... No coverage on insurance.
I just contacted my insurance provider, Cigna, and unfortunately the removal of breast implants is not covered. Now, the woman I spoke with did say that if I'm having complications or leakage, I could get an authorization then the removal could possibly be covered. I'm not suspecting that I have any issues besides the strong desire to get them out. I'll just keep shopping around and try to find the cheapest PS...
Replies (13)
April 9, 2014
I'm sensing a loophole based on your conversation with the lady at your insurance. Can you get a copy of the policy. I had something similar happen years ago with dental work where my plan did not cover braces but it covered work to fix a jaw problem but in order to fix the jaw problem I needed braces but they kep saying no sorry we don't cover braces. LOL we just kept going round and round but I wouldn't quit and they eventually paid. I think with implants it's kinda the same...umm sorry we don't cover explant but yes we do cover removal of toxic silicone from the body.... with insurance it's all about the codes that are used for the billing so dig till you find the loophole/code. Don't let the person you talked to on the phone tell you it's not covered. Trust me she is not in charge and does not have the final say. Go over her head.
April 9, 2014
I'm so glad you found us and started your story here. I'm sorry you're having to deal with shifting implants. This, in and of itself, sounds like a complication to me. Don't give up on the insurance and ask about it at your consultations. Good luck and please keep us posted!
April 9, 2014
Right now I have Kaiser insurance and because I am having pain and CC, they will remove my implants without charge. But, about nine years ago I had different insurance and they told me it would cost $4000 to have my implants removed. I just happened to mention that to the nurse while I was waiting for the doctor and she told me "wink wink" that I should explain my symptoms in more detail. I was having a lot of pain in my left breast and also I felt like things were crawling around inside of my chest! I think if you mention any other symptoms you are having, without lying of course, you will find that your insurance may cover your explantation, after all. I really hope so! Listen to what the other ladies on here said; don't take "no" for an answer and read the fine print! Keep pushing! Good luck to you!
April 10, 2014
@Petunia53 You've definitely given me something to think about here. I will most definitely mention all of my symptoms, at my consultation on the 22nd, and see where that gets me. I really appreciate the info!!
I also want to wish you the best of luck!
April 9, 2014
Ok I can beat your 12 yr record! Drum roll please...I have had the same implants for 22 years! I was a stupid and insecure girl of 23. Had I had a loving family I probably wouldn't have made the choice I did. Not to blame them but coming from a broken home does nothing to build self esteem and I barely had any. It felt SO weird after I had it done. I went from an AA (and that's a generous estimate) to a "full" B. Okay, not huge but huge to me. And I never felt the type to do anything like that. Anyhow, after 22 years, with zero problems. I never had any sort of problem, well now the left one seems to have CC which I am going in this Friday to see about. So now my decision is, do I have another set put in or do I call it a day and have them out. If I were just small, fine, but I was flat chested before and I just don't know how they would look...Anyhow, big (or little) decisions I guess...
April 9, 2014
Mine have been in for 32 years and I was 24 years old. I came from a very secure home with a loving family. I just had always felt embarrassed about how flat chested I was. Now I have a rupture and am having them out forever!
April 9, 2014
Clara14, only you can decide what you want to do, but I've read quite a few comments and once you have CC, you usually get it again. I think each person's body is different and some people never have CC, but I just think your body would react the same way if you get implants. There's just no way to tell, but that's what I would think. I also worry about the toxins that might be released into your body. I completely understand your fears, however, because I've had my implants in for 23 years. It's really no fun stressing over what we think our breasts are going to look like. But, I'm really going to try to accept myself the way I am after my surgery. Of course I have days where I am really afraid I'll hate my body, but I am realizing that how we were made is better than having a toxic foreign body inside of us. I truly wish you a lot of luck in making your decision. We're here for you!
April 10, 2014
@Clara14 While I'm about 99.5% set on having mine removed without replacement, I can agree that this is a much bigger decal than it was when deciding to get them. I was really flat too but I'm in a different place in my life. I'm more secure in my own skin and I'm ready to be all natural... and small.
I hope with what you decide to do you're ultimately happy. : )
April 10, 2014
I meet with the PS tomorrow. He is not the one who did the original surgery. Besides the BI 22 years ago, I had chin lipo a couple years because from gaining and losing weight, I was left with accumulated fat under my chin I couldn't get rid of but always showed up in photos. Anyhow, this PS did the chin lipo. Anyhow, I will meet with him and then think. They totally don't press you into anything as I originally, when I went for the chin lipo consult, I asked about breast implants and a nose job and he said it wasn't necessary. My nose is not as small as a nose job nose but it's still pretty small. And he didn't see any reason to replace the implants unless I wanted to. I just felt they've been in there too long. I'll just have to see what he says as I am mostly implant as there wasn't much there to begin with.
April 15, 2014
I've had my implants for 12 years. No problems, or so I though. About a year ago I began developing neck and shoulder pain. I'm 95% sure it is from the implants, but why now? How do I convince a doc (and insurance company) that I'm having problems from the implants and that they need to be removed?????
April 17, 2014
That's a very good question... Have you spoken with your PS , or another PS about your pain?
I have a consultation set for the 22nd with my original PS nurse. I plan on picking her brain and telling her every detail about what I think is wrong and see where that gets me. I'm not good at "haggling" in these types of situations. If my insurance says, and they did, that an explant won't be covered unless there's a complication or leakage then that's when I say "ok, thanks" and go on. Lol.
October 19, 2014
Hi Janety2k what did you find out? Have you made an explant decision. Mine was covered through medical if you want to PM me feel free. Also, in some cases going through medical insurance can be as much if not more depending on your plan coverage/deductible
UPDATED FROM Sonnybutters
5 months pre
First consulation
I just got home from my first consultation with Jill, my original PS nurse. She was informative and non-judgmental, which was a relief. It went well although she quoted me a cost of $2550. That includes the surgeon fee of $2000 and surgery center fee of $550. Hopefully my PS will quote me less, although I doubt it. She took my questions (i.e. definite cost , anesthesia options, removal/non-removal of capsule), felt around and made sure everything was as it should be (everything is still soft and my implants move freely in the pockets), and took new pictures. I made a second appointment, tentatively set for May 29th, to speak with my actual PS for further info. I asked about the "complications," I described on here, and she told me that my PS doesn't deal with any insurance. Whether my issues would be covered, I'll never know. I'm still in "shopping" mode as of now. As bad as this sounds, and as badly as I want this done, I don't want to spend thousands of dollars to have this procedure done.
Replies (10)
April 22, 2014
I remember going to Bennett for a consult before I got my implants in 2009! I went with Dr Cannova. He is doing my explant on May 5th, in office. I think his would be around $2300 and I get a discount for being a prior patient (mine will be $1800). He definitely felt I would want a replacement, but I do not! And the nurse thinks I'll want a lift later on, but the doc said there is no need to lift right now. I'm praying I have good results, I don't want any more surgery! Good luck with your explant decision.
April 23, 2014
What a small world!! Lol. My best friends sister had a breast reduction done, by Dr. Gutek, in that same office.
I totally understand about not wanting more surgeries. It's pretty expensive...
From what I've been reading on this site the need for a lift will come further down the road, after your explant.
Good luck to you on May 5th!! Will let us know how everything went?
April 23, 2014
For sure, I haven't taken any pics yet but I plan on it! Will probably post my full story after the explant, just to save some time. Good luck with your decision! I know some office (like Cannova's) use the Care Credit financing (something like that). There is interest, but might be an option for you. I wish they offered the no interest for 6 months option, I would have loved to split up the payment.
April 22, 2014
So did they recommend removing the capsule? I'm also in the shopping stage.
April 22, 2014
Yes I was recommended to remove the capsule. The PS said I have - for sure - calcification around the implant. My dilemma is, I had no breasts before. I mean I've even looked at photos of AA cups and they seem to all be more than I had. There was nothing hanging over, nothing to push up...nothing. So as I understand it I will have a empty sac. I had 3 kids and sure, when I had milk my boobs were huge in the beginning than went up and down during BF times even though I am sure BF was affected by the implants. So what I am saying is, after removing the implant and the capsule and calcium and etc...it really is a big decision as to whether I should have anything put in. It's hard to find anyone with a similar story because it seems most had some sort of boobies! :) so I am limbo because they just weren't too attractive before and they won't be after and yes, it's superficial!!! But when I had it I weighed 120lb at 5-9. I'm not that skinny anymore! My boobs are a B, I would say they are on the small side but I can push them up with a bra, and they seem to balance my more average body now...I never had problems for 22 years with my implants except my daughter jumped on me a couple weeks ago and that is when I noticed a hardening, and it continued so I saw the PS. This week it's gone soft again so I am confused. My husband thinks I should have them taken out but to have something put in so it's not a loose pocket of skin...I was hoping he would say he didn't care. He's a nice guy, he's not superficial, but he thinks I won't like the results to just be without breasts again...
April 23, 2014
Jill, Dr. Bennett's nurse, said that Bennett does remove the capsule. I asked if it was solely his decision or if I had a say and she said it's what he recommends. I wasn't too thrilled with that. I didn't have much breast tissue to start with. It's be nice to have more in the end even if it is just scar tissue. Lol. I haven't had an issue with capsular contracture the whole 12 yrs I've had implants...
She also mentioned, and I should've asked more questions about it, that sometimes a mammogram is required with implant removals. Has anyone else had to have one? If so, why?
After today's consultation I'm still not sold. I did search around and find another PS and made a consultation appointment for May 5th. The lady I spoke with on the phone said he can do in office procedures under local anesthesia. That's more up my alley. We'll see what he has to say...
April 23, 2014
The 1st consult doc told me that if you leave it in that it can cause irregularities in the breast over time. I don't know if that is true. I can't find any removal updates that had theirs 5-10 years ago. I can only guess that it's true as scar tissue CAN contract over time. I don't know if the CAN is a majority or a small percentage of the time.
May 13, 2014
I didn't have any boobs before either. I'm scheduled for explant on June 10. What am I going to look like is my biggest concern. I don't think its superficial, it's why we got them in the first place! LOL If I wasn't having health problems because of them, I would keep them.
May 13, 2014
I keep wondering the same thing. Lol. I think it's going to be an amazing feeling being implant free, and weightless. Good luck to you on June 10th. Will you keep us updates on your experience? I have a consultation on May 28th and I'm really hoping to be able to schedule an explant appointment. **fingers crossed**
May 22, 2014
I finally got my profile up. I'm counting down now. Its a little scary, but exciting too.
Replies (23)