POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
I Did It, They're Gone! - Reston, VA
ORIGINAL POST
First of all I want to say thank you to everyone...
learntoloveselfDecember 10, 2015
WORTH IT$4,500
First of all I want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences on this site-it has helped me tremendously in moving forward with my decision to remove my implants. I would not have had the knowledge or the strength to do it without all of you sharing your stories. I had always been self conscience about my small -basically non existent- breasts, so at 56 years old I decided to get implants. I was going through a very stressful time in my life and I'm not sure I was thinking clearly. It was a pretty impulsive decision but I was excited about it. I am 5' 10", 135 lbs and I got 350 cc silicone, high profile implants which I found to be way to big for my small frame. I liked how they gave me confidence at first but I kept trying to hide them regardless. Then came the warm weather and I was wearing T-shirts, and strappy little dresses and I felt terribly self conscience. I did everything I could to hide them, it was awful. I wanted so badly to love them and be proud of them and show them off but I just felt that they weren't me! They also hurt a lot when lying down on my side or on my back and the left one was bigger and a bit lopsided compared to the right one which bothered me. I also experienced a great deal of joint pain after the surgery. My hips and knees would swell and hurt badly and then it started in my hands as well. I believe it was an inflammatory response because I believe I have autoimmune issues to begin with and I believe the implants stirred up the AI response in my body. I continued to have weird health issues; I developed really dry eyes, headaches (which I was never prone to), I lost a lot of upper body strength ( I think because of the pec muscles being unattached). The implants were way harder than I expected so I couldn't lie on my stomach so that ruined my yoga practice which is my main form of exercise. I hated not being able to hug my children the way I used to and none of my dresses or cute tops fit nicely anymore. Sooo.... after 14 months I had them removed just 2 days ago. I was happy to have them gone at first but today I'm really depressed looking at my completely flat chest. I spent all morning on line ordering new bras with silicone inserts. I'm sharing pictures and I could use some encouragement now to get through this rough patch. I don't ever see anyone on this site that is as flat as I am which is even more depressing. I know I did the right thing for my health but I'm sad that I don't have the beautiful breasts that I did just a few days ago. Love and hugs to all of you brave women out there. oxoxoxoxo
learntoloveself's provider
UPDATED FROM learntoloveself
3 days post
4 days post op
learntoloveselfDecember 11, 2015
They are looking a little better every day! I'm feeling incredibly blessed that they look as good as they do. Thank you sooo much again to everyone for your encouragement and advise. I can't imagine where I'd be emotionally without the support from all of you wonderful loving ladies on this site. I am so grateful for all of you. I'm still feeling a little woozy from the neurontin but today is the last day I have to take that then only the antibiotic til Sunday. Just taking Tylenol for a little discomfort at this point. I was depressed and crying yesterday but my ps said it was probably the prednisone and told me to stop taking it which I did and feel much better today! I am going to ROCK these small breasts with some sexy new tops, great new hair cut, buy some new make up. Love love love ??
Replies (7)
December 11, 2015
you look beautiful!!! Great results! Emotions run high for awhile going through this process, its normal! But you have beautiful natural breasts!!!! Happy Healing to you xo
December 12, 2015
Hello,
Congratulations to you! You made the right decision and your body is thanking you :) Your breasts look natural and beautiful. Best of luck with your healing. My surgery is in January! Really nervous about it but hope and pray that all goes well. Stay positive and thanks for sharing.
Congratulations to you! You made the right decision and your body is thanking you :) Your breasts look natural and beautiful. Best of luck with your healing. My surgery is in January! Really nervous about it but hope and pray that all goes well. Stay positive and thanks for sharing.
December 12, 2015
Hi DD's,
I was really nervous too but it turned out to be super easy with virtually no pain and easy recovery. Much easier than having breast augmentation. The scary part is wondering what they'll look like after, wondering if you'll be deformed, loose baggy skin etc but I am amazed at how my skin retracted back to normal and I'm 57! Not exactly youthful elastic skin anymore. Ask your ps if he/she can do any repair work on the muscle and/or skin if needed when taking the implants out
I was really nervous too but it turned out to be super easy with virtually no pain and easy recovery. Much easier than having breast augmentation. The scary part is wondering what they'll look like after, wondering if you'll be deformed, loose baggy skin etc but I am amazed at how my skin retracted back to normal and I'm 57! Not exactly youthful elastic skin anymore. Ask your ps if he/she can do any repair work on the muscle and/or skin if needed when taking the implants out
December 13, 2015
Thank you for your kind words and sorry to hear that you are having a rough couple of days :(
Hang in there and stay positive! You look beautiful and time heals all.
Hang in there and stay positive! You look beautiful and time heals all.
UPDATED FROM learntoloveself
5 days post
Feeling depressed
learntoloveselfDecember 13, 2015
Today is Sunday, my surgery was Tuesday. I was very depressed yesterday, I tried to get out of the house and get a facial and hair wash to make me feel better but I was too woozy from the medications still lingering in my my body I guess and my son had to bring me back home. I'm not depressed about my decision to explant although with my chest still wrapped I'm flat as a board which is not exactly beautiful. I think just not being active and stuck at home is what's making me depressed. I'm still glad I did it because I know it was the right thing for me. I'll update new pictures in a few days since not much has changed since last pic.
Replies (12)
December 13, 2015
Dear Learntoloveself,
I had the same thing happen to me, day 3 & 4 I was really feeling down and sad but not about my decision to explant, so it confused me. I think the whole ordeal is equally mental as it is physical for us and especially for those of us who had medication and/or anesthesia for our procedure it's even worse. Sleep deprivation from not being able to get into positions we usually slumber in also plays into disruption of coping. It will get better, I promise. I'm 9 days post-op today and feel a ton better mentally. I still have a way to go until I'm back 100%, but be kind to yourself and recognize all the hurdles you've made so far!
I tried to do too much too soon (and probably still am), perhaps that's what happened with your hair appointment day. You can look at my profile and see it was similar sadness.
Hang in there, we are all in this mess together but we are all making great decisions to correct previous decisions. You are human, you are beautiful.
By the way, I'd do anything for your little perky breasts and lovely figure!
I had the same thing happen to me, day 3 & 4 I was really feeling down and sad but not about my decision to explant, so it confused me. I think the whole ordeal is equally mental as it is physical for us and especially for those of us who had medication and/or anesthesia for our procedure it's even worse. Sleep deprivation from not being able to get into positions we usually slumber in also plays into disruption of coping. It will get better, I promise. I'm 9 days post-op today and feel a ton better mentally. I still have a way to go until I'm back 100%, but be kind to yourself and recognize all the hurdles you've made so far!
I tried to do too much too soon (and probably still am), perhaps that's what happened with your hair appointment day. You can look at my profile and see it was similar sadness.
Hang in there, we are all in this mess together but we are all making great decisions to correct previous decisions. You are human, you are beautiful.
By the way, I'd do anything for your little perky breasts and lovely figure!
December 13, 2015
Thank you boobyprize. I just read your posts and I have been experiencing the same feelings. We have to practice alot of self love right now.
December 14, 2015
I hope you will have an amazing day today! Congrats on your decision to explant. Glad you're feeling better physically and I personally think you look beautiful! You're not flat! They are perfect for your small frame! I am
December 14, 2015
.... (Cont) I am almost 7 weeks post --op (21 year old implants). I still have some boobies but I didn't care. I wanted to be real and healthy. Take some short walks in your neighborhood, fresh air! Clean and happy thoughts in your head and lots of positive affirmations! I am proud of you! Give yourself more time! And the biggest thing! You can HUG again like you used too! Stay strong! OX
December 14, 2015
Hi wanttobeme,
I am sooo much better today and had more energy too. We forget the meds and anesthesia take a while to get out of our system and our bodies need lots of rest and good food after the trauma of surgery!
I am sooo much better today and had more energy too. We forget the meds and anesthesia take a while to get out of our system and our bodies need lots of rest and good food after the trauma of surgery!
December 14, 2015
I just now saw the second half of your post. Thank you for so much encouragement! The walks sound lovely, my body and mind need that right now. I will start tomorrow! I too just want to be real and healthy. I'm really happy that they are no longer in my body and I can't wait to shop for some pretty new tops that make me feel good. Bigs hugs
December 15, 2015
I think u look great! I admire you
December 15, 2015
You look very good ! Everything will be better once you won't have chemicals from surgery in your body, and once you will be able to move ! I couldn't do anything for 10 days after my explant and mastopexy, and it made me feel so sad ! Like you, I am very active so staying at home doing nothing drives me crazy !
December 15, 2015
thank you Helene- I agree about the chemicals...they drag us down and keep us fatigued as our bodies try to process them. I had my one week check up today and got my stitches out so a little progress every day feels good. This whole process has been a huge lesson in self love and I have to keep reminding myself to rest and not overdo!
June 1, 2016
I am going to get mine removed soon and I can't wait. Small boobs, flat chests are not ugly. What is beautiful is to feel comfortable with your looks. If plastic surgery can help us achieve that then so be it. I just feel that there is so much pressure on our image as women and so many standards of what is feminine or sexy but the truth is that we women do this to ourselves. Im bubbling here.. but I just wanna say that your chest as I see it on the pics looks awesome and you have an amazing body
Replies (43)