30 Years Old, No Kids, Explanting 8 Year Old Breast Implants - Pepper Pike, OH

First of all, I want to say thank you to all the brave ladies on this site whose posts have helped me on my journey! Your honesty and vulnerability has given me the courage to move forward with explanting. I am 30 years old and received breast augmentation surgery in 2008 when I was 22 years old. I had 320cc mentor high profile smooth cohesive silicone gel implants put in under the muscle with an inframmary incision (under the breast). I went from an AA to a full C, as you can see from the pictures. I was 5'3" and 115 lbs. My desire was to be a full B cup. My plastic surgeon opted to go for bigger implants than we had agreed upon (while I was unconscious) and I ended up with implants that were, in my opinion, too big for my frame. I also think they were placed too high up. Other than that I've been happy with the aesthetics. The reason I am explanting is due to health issues that I believe are directly related to my implants. Growing up I was always very healthy and had no allergies. I would go years without even catching a cold. I eat organic food, take my vitamins, and have a very healthy lifestyle. Once I got implants I began battling severe fatigue that would come and go. I developed extremely dry eyes, joint problems, recurrent candida issues, unexplained weight gain, the inability to tolerate fragrances, and bad reactions to any artificial ingredients in foods or drinks. I've experienced more sickness in the last 8 years since I've had implants than in the previous 22 years and believe my immune system has been compromised. I didn't put it together that the implants were causing my issues until earlier this year when a dear friend explanted due to a severe autoimmune reaction to her implants. Watching her go through the experience opened up my eyes to the possibility that many of my health problems were due to my implants. I did my own research, joined this site, read many testimonials, and eventually came to the conclusion that they must go. As many of you can attest to, it's been an emotional and STRESSFUL journey to come to this decision . However, I know this is the best decision! I am nervous for how I will look, regretful of ever having the original surgery, and hoping I can love my natural body when its all over. I am also very excited about the possibility of fat grafting in the future and for the first time am grateful I have a little extra "meat on my bones" to give them more to work with :) I am hoping to move forward with the implant removal in the next month or two with Dr. Lu-Jean Feng and will continue to post pictures of my progress.

My surgery date is fast approaching so I thought I would do another update before it arrives! The last couple days have been more difficult for me. I am so grateful now more than ever for this incredible network of women who have come together to share their stories and offer support to one another. I think the road to explanting has many ups and downs. From a logical standpoint there is no question in my mind, this is the right decision for my health. But even with that knowledge, this is still an emotional journey. This decision forces us to revisit the insecurities that lead us to get implants in the first place. At times I see how much I've grown as a person and conquered my fears. At other times I feel like the insecure girl that just couldn't love and accept her body. And I feel angry at the pressure our culture puts on us to look impossibly perfect. I am also angry at an industry that capitalizes on our insecurities by selling us a product that compromises our health. I feel nervous, scared, curious, and even excited about the explant. I've been having dreams about boobs almost every night :) I'm not normally one to post my feelings online, but I think it's important to be as open as possible about this so that other women beginning this journey know that there will be bad days and good days and gain courage from reading our stories. At the end of the day, this is the right decision and we are all here for each other. That is what matters. I'm just praying that everything goes well and at the end of all of this I can look in the mirror and feel beautiful. I've spoken to the staff at Dr. Feng's clinic a couple times now. They are professional, thorough, informative, very kind and warm. I am confident that I've surrounded myself with a good team to do this right! They sent me a packet with vitamins to help prepare my body for surgery and to be in prime condition to heal. And they gave me diet restrictions. I guess I will be having a cup of tea for scrabble night instead of my glass of wine :)

It is Sunday, I am 2 days post op. My surgery was on Friday morning. I am all wrapped up and haven't seen myself yet and have the drains in. The drains are necessary but are causing me pain. There was extra repair work needed because of the way my original PS cut my muscles to get the implants in. I'm hoping it all looks good in the end. It's been a difficult couple days and I regret ever having gotten breast implants more than ever. I kept my implants, I can't believe they were inside of me!! What a crazy culture we live in where doing this to ourselves is acceptable. So happy to be in the road to recovery. Can't wait to get these drains out and feel human again!!!!!