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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Athletic Female W Under the Muscle Silicone Implants - Removed and Happy!

ORIGINAL POST

Almost 12 years ago I had 250cc Mentor cohesive...

JLeslieFL
WORTH IT$4,100
Almost 12 years ago I had 250cc Mentor cohesive gel implants placed under the muscle. I was 49 at the time small framed at 5'1" and 95 lbs. I researched surgeons thoroughly and went to three consults prior to selecting Dr. John B. Harris in Ponte Vedra, Florida. He was previously Chief of Maxo and Reconstructive at the Mayo clinic so I had complete confidence in his skills. I also appreciated his more conservative patient approach; professional, discreet, great staff, and a top rated surgery center within his facility. Though it was made clear that I would need to replace or remove at some point in the future this is not something I focused on going into the procedure. The outcome was great; subtle and fit my petite but athletic frame well. I enjoyed many years of enjoying the clothes I could wear and really just the overall proportional look. The only drawback at the time was the chronic tug of war between my pec muscles and my back muscles - I was always tight and uncomfortable after working out.
After a few years and greater focus on sports that required a stronger upper body (yoga, swimming, paddling) my pecs seemed to take over and it felt like there was less room for my implants to move. I never had any extreme side effects, mammograms were fine, and no capsular contraction but I was becoming increasingly frustrated by the trade offs between features and functionality. I liked the looked but disliked constantly needing to stretch, get massages, go the chiropractor, etc just to be comfortable training. My breasts were also firm, not hard, but kept well in place by my pecs. About 4 years ago I seriously began thinking about removal but thought it might be best to wait until I wasn't working so I put it off.
In the past two years I went to three consults (again) - two more local. One was emphatic that I would not like the outcome and pretty much said she couldn't or wouldn't help me. The other was a surgeon well known for explanting primarily those that had substantial side affects due to the implants - I hadn't. In May of 2017 I made the 2.5hr drive and returned to Dr. Harris and Ponte Vedra knowing that he would be the best surgeon to give me a professional, trustable, and non-biased input on explanting. How right I was!!
Dr. Harris and his great staff immediately put me at ease about my decision and the procedure. He shared that many women were removing their implants and that he expected it to be an uncomplicated straightforward procedure that, based upon the condition of my breast tissue and surrounding skin, would most likely result in an outcome I would be happy with. If I wasn't there was always the option of fat transfer down the road. The problem for me is that I don't have much available fat for harvest - it wasn't a top priority for me so I didn't consider this bad news.
I went in for surgery in late August 2017 - it took about an hour and I did have drains put in though I had very little drainage and they were removed the next day. Surprisingly to all of us BOTH of my implants had ruptured - one worse than the other - but the cohesive gel was contained with the capsules. No way of knowing the cause specifically but I strongly belief it was the pressure of the pec muscles constantly pushing on the implants when I worked out. Dr. Harris was very thorough in cleaning all the gel out of the capsules and did not remove the capsules given they were thin and healthy. To his point "not all capsules are the same" and now I understand directly how the condition of the capsule drives the need to remove. When you are thin and small chested (32A pre implants) its helpful if you can leave the capsule in. Every person is different but I'm glad they remained possibly providing a little volume - my recovery time was very quick - I never took the pain killers (just Advil) and gradually got back into my various athletics within two weeks.
Most importantly I feel TERRIFIC! Funny no one has noticed and those that knew I was having the procedure think I look better. No more muscular warfare, I can hug full-on versus the side hug or top chest only hug self consciously wondering if those I hugged felt my implants. All these thoughts are gone - and best of all I totally love the look!!! I'm proud and confident of just being natural and though I truly have no regrets in experiencing a 32C I think a 32A looks best on me.

JLeslieFL's provider

John B. Harris, MD

John B. Harris, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (8)

May 14, 2018
I'm your size and am concerned about shape of breast after removal of implants. Do you have pics of before and after?
May 22, 2018
Hi there - saw your note and recently added a before and after - hope this helps!!
May 18, 2018
You look great!! Thanks for sharing your story. First off, I’m shocked you’re 61 years old you look amazing! Can I ask who the doc was that you consulted that took out for illness? And why you didn’t care for her? I’m seeking explant due to illness & nobody avail in my state. Thank you!
May 22, 2018
Thank you I really appreciate the feedback and compliment. I've always been fit so I think that has helped slow the clock a bit. As far as your question on physician that explants those with some complication/side effects - Dr. Marguerite Barnett in Sarasota, Fl. I thought she was very nice and competent but given my confidence in my original implant surgeon I felt most comfortable having him perform the explant surgery. Wish you all the best and am certain that you will feel so much better when you are back to the original you.
May 22, 2018
What great results you had!
May 22, 2018
Thank you so much - I am really happy with the outcome. Funny I actually think I have better shape now than pre-implants.
June 14, 2018
Your breasts look better than most women half your age! So does the rest of your body!
June 14, 2018
Thank goodness you got them out. That silicone would have made you sick. I too enjoy unencumbered workouts. They're a huge part of my life and I feel so much better without implants. You look beautiful. Stay well and stay happy. You are beautiful.
UPDATED FROM JLeslieFL
9 months post

Pictures Pre and Post Implant Removal

JLeslieFL
Nine months post implant removal and still could not be more happy with my decision - Thanks Dr. John Harris of Ponte Vedra, Florida!!!

Replies (11)

May 16, 2018
Great results :D you look much better now :)
I have renoved under muscle implants 5 weeks ago. I have absolutely no breast tissue - and now I have a small muscle Distortion. Did you experience that?
May 16, 2018
Thank you!!! Re question on muscle distortion - only slightly when flexing and it will get better over time as skin tightens up. Recommend really good posture - shoulders back; be proud of what you have (or don't have). Also, I wore sports bras day and night for first several months as everything healed to keep things in place and help support the healing process. Congrats on making the decision!!!
May 16, 2018
Oh you are so kind! Thanks a lot! I will do that and be proud of my very small full of stretch marks post-breastfeeding breasts. Happy to hear the distortion will get better! Thanks a lot. I wear compression day and night - thanks :) To keep things tight.
Again - you look amazing - congrats!! :D
May 16, 2018
You look great. Taking into the physicians instructions not to be too active post-surgery (mine is instructing me 6 weeks) when did you feel back to normal with your exercise routine? I run and do a lot of yoga so I’m dreading the recovery/rest period. Thanks!
May 16, 2018
Thanks!!!! Understand. I was walking in 2 days, cycling in a week (was a little early on this but needed cardio), running in two to three weeks, yoga in 4 weeks. Just wear really good compression bra all the time - day and night. Found great ones at Athleta that zipped up the front - super comfortable and cotton. Re running if you feel things are loose back off you want everything to heal the right way.
May 17, 2018
I am going to be crawling the walls to do cardio after 2 days. I guess I will just walk and walk and walk! I am going to check out Athleta now. I certainly don’t have anything front zip that will fit my soon to be petite chest. Thanks so much for the recommendation! Again, you look fantastic.
May 18, 2018
You are so welcome! All the best - sure it will be great! Let us know!!!
May 23, 2018
I waited 6 weeks before I returned cautiously to my daily yoga routine and still had problems (it felt like I streched my scars). But I started walking right after surgery...
June 14, 2018
Maybe you could to an exercise bike, especially a recumbent one so you don't have all the bouncing
May 23, 2018
You look so beautiful after explant, so happy you made that choice! Perfect fit for your athletic frame :)
June 14, 2018
Hi! I am explanting in a couple of weeks & wanted to ask you about the muscles.. I hate that feeling when you flex and was curious if that has gone away since explanting and healing?
Thanks