POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
Wish I could have found YOU ALL first!!Santa Monica, CA
ORIGINAL POST
When I finally made the decision to have my...
brooklynbabeSeptember 30, 2012
$2,200
When I finally made the decision to have my implants removed completely,I could never have imagined the horror story that I went thru. I had had 14 years of not a single problem,and then BAM!, one disaster after another,4 more exchange & capsular contraction implant surgeries, and I was DONE! ( I thought!)
I went to see a few Docs who told me " Do NOT remove them.you'll be VERY disappointed with the results!"
NOT what I wanted to hear. So,I looked at ALL the "after" photos,went to a highly recommended Doctor,who assured me that I had enough breast tissue left post explanation..and off I went into the nightmare of Breast Implant Removal. I looked like I had had a mastectomy! I was depressed, disfigured,& left with NO tissue for a completely successful re-implantation. My breasts were basically butchered,I had puckers & nipples that looked like snoopy noses ( drooping down)
After a few years,& many consults with plastic surgeons on what POSSIBLY could be done to regain my former breast implant shape, I found a genius of a PS. All the other Dr's I consulted with either said " you need to have expander s,& full breast reconstruction,or,scratched their heads not knowing WHAT to do & referred me to another specialist,or wanted to do strata from cadeavors,or pigs to do an internal bra,plus add more tissue to support a new implant.vplus THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!! Like over $ 21,000 -$35,000!!!
YEARS & months went by & I was disfigured & depressed!
Finally,Dr.Mark Berman,was referred to me by a friend who had a similar difficult situation. It was a simple surgery,I didn't have to go on welfare after paying for it & my breasts are back to lovely. Not PERFECT! ( No fault if his! he didnt have a who,e lot to work with!!) But a whole lot better than I was living with!!
He has an invention called a "pocket protector". It helps hold the implant,& hopefully will prevent capsular contraction. It's been over 2 years & all is well!!!
Be careful about the Docs who tell you..it's a breeze, you're gonna be SO happy with them out! Maybe I'm just crazy or too vain,but as long as I'm a woman..I'd like to have my breasts look pretty...FOR ME!
brooklynbabe's provider
Replies (10)
October 1, 2012
sorry you were not happy with your removal... i tend to agree with 'dont trust the pictures' but for the opposite reason - many you see in google images dont look good. but actually the majority of people are really pleasantly suprised with how they look after and they pics on realself show you can have a great result. i dont think most surgeons would tell you you're going to be really happy after removal either - its usually the complete opposite as they dont do a lot of removals!
I am super super happy with my removal- feel slimmer, younger, and still perky. i look so much better than with the beach balls i had before. i think the ladies on realself look awesome after removal....but as you say it's not for everyone.
October 1, 2012
Hi Andi,
Thanks for your imput. I wrote of MY personal experience,as I ONLY read & saw photos all the GREAT results after explantation. I had researched the procedure for over two years.
I agree that MOST plastic surgeons do not want to explant or haven't the expertise to successfully do it. It seems today more & more Doctors achieve better results.
Mine was NOT one of those. I feel women should have the knowledge of BOTH sides of real experiences so they might be able to make more informed choices.
I wish I was able to post my AFTER photos.
These posts of successful experiences and the photos of BEFORE & AFTER are VERY important & encouraging.
As well as the names of the Doctors who did these successful explants
I also feel it's important to know of the not so good experiences & names of THOSE Doctors.
I had VERY small,very natural silicone implants ( 200 CC's).
The results AFTER explantaion were so disfiguring,there was NOTHING any of the reconstructive plastic surgeons could do to restore my breast to look anywhere NEAR normal.
They all were treating the operation as a mastectomy.
I reimplanted with 174 CC's just to have SOME sort of breasts,& am SO grateful I found a brilliant PS.
He has also done BEAUTIFUL,successful explants using women's OWN fat & stem cells to correct any post surgical imperfections.
I totally agree with getting implants removed for better health & a more natural look; I wish I could have written what GREAT results I had with removal. I couldn't.
October 4, 2012
Thank You for sharing :) I do agree with you on the good & bad results should be shared. It educates women.
October 4, 2012
It sounds like perhaps it wasnt a standard removal, or she made a mistake and cut too much skin away. An unusual situation and outcome.
I am sorry you have been through this...I think you should also write a review about the original implants 'not being worth it' as the removal was only one part of what sounds like a traumatic journey with implants as you already had several problems before that!
October 5, 2012
Thank you!! Looks like you, Reed & I have a good support network going.
Yes... Very important , I think to know we're NOT alone. We can get through ANYTHING with people who have gone thru similar experiences & share about them & how we get thru them!!!
October 1, 2012
do you have big implants? what does the doctor says about your first explantation, what happen?
October 1, 2012
I do NOT have Big implants.
I am petite.5'2, 105 lbs.
My originals were only 200 CC's ..silicone.I wanted to be a small 34B.
They were double lumen; silicone inside ,saline outside. The saline burst after 14 years.
I reimplanted with 200 CC's all silicone; those got capsular contraction 3 times & I was DONE & wanted them OUT for good.
The Dr.I found answered ALL my questions & assured me that I had enough breast tissue to be a comfortable NATURAL 34A.
She had trouble getting out ALL of the right implant,and instead of ONLY cutting around my initial incisions ( around the nipple),she cut under the breast too.
I also had a lift at the same time as explantation,thinking THAT would help lift my breasts back to a nice position.
The scars under my nipples were the WORST ever!
The nipples drooped like snoopy noses.
There was a Huge indentation under my left( 1/2 breast left )& NO tissue under it at all!
I was a butchered mess & a NON size.No A,no AA. I used paste on silicone forms to have SOME breast form in my clothing.
She said NOTHING after I went back a year later,except what she could do for TOTAL reconstruction USING IMPLANTS!!!
REALLY? You really think I'd EVER let her touch my body again!!???
That's why I say: due your due diligence.Ask a lot of questions.
And DO look at their UNTOUCHED breast explant photos."
Do ask other women on this forum THEIR experiences; the GOOD & the not so good.. Just like you're doing.
Good luck to you.
I hope you find the RIGHT PS & your experience will be a positive one.
October 4, 2012
Do you have any photos before, after etc? Be great to see them [RS bleep]
October 5, 2012
I have some ( afters) still on my computer, I think. But not on my iPhone or iPad. I'll try to transfer them.
Never did get any befores.. My Doc who did the reconstruction may have some. I'll ask if he can forward them.
UPDATED FROM brooklynbabe
I am SO inspired by all your stories & detailed...
brooklynbabeOctober 18, 2012
I am SO inspired by all your stories & detailed account & photos before & after explant! I only wish I had found you BEFORE I proceeded with mine.
I've learned SO much from y'all.
Now that I was reimplanted successfully & the skin, nipples , & indented scar were revised beautifully, I can once again consider explant. There was NOTHING any Dr. could do before.
THIS time, I'll know what to ask & what to expect. Thanks to ALL of you!
You are all so brave & honest.. & SO
considerate of each other! Blows me away!!!
Trying to upload my photos of before & after
I've learned SO much from y'all.
Now that I was reimplanted successfully & the skin, nipples , & indented scar were revised beautifully, I can once again consider explant. There was NOTHING any Dr. could do before.
THIS time, I'll know what to ask & what to expect. Thanks to ALL of you!
You are all so brave & honest.. & SO
considerate of each other! Blows me away!!!
Trying to upload my photos of before & after
Replies (6)
October 29, 2012
Hi Brooklynbabe!
Thanks for sending me your way. I am interested in knowing more about your case.
I am a little confused though. Why are you explanting now if you got the CC fixed and you were completely upset after the first explant with the way they looked? Are you considering doing the fat and stemcell thing?
October 29, 2012
First..I am VERY happy with Dr. Berman's results.He did NOT fix my CC.. The second set of implants I got had THREE CC operations & exchanges. THEN after MORE problems,I had explantation. Dr. Berman fixed the deformities left after that.
I just know somewhere down the line,I'd like to get rid of implants ALL TOGETHER. I'd LIKE to go Au natural again.
Truthfully, with ALL the surgeries I've BEEN through...I wish I had NEVER done it to begin with. But,like many of us,I was so young & I just ALWAYS wanted to be a 34B!
Can't remember now WHAT he charged me,( I think about $15,000..it was like a FULL reconstruction!) but I DO know it was about $7000 less than having a FULL 2 part mastectomy type reconstruction ( which is what the other Doc consults told me). But it WAS 3 years ago.
If you google Dr. Mark Berman,I think he explains the stem cell,fat transfer,& pocket protectors procedures in his videos. He wanted to do some fat transfer ( using my OWN FAT to correct some of the imperfections left over from my explant surgery) .. But I declined.
If you want to see some before & afters.
October 29, 2012
I see, I was thinking you were saying he fixed your CC with those pocket protectors which is what I was interested in, and the cost of that. Sounds like you were really on a rollercoaster ride! So sorry to hear that!
So now you are considering explantation again?
October 29, 2012
Basically he DID! Because the problems with ALL the CC's was THE BIGGEST problem I was having with my implants.
Once the implant & pocket has that problem,it very often continues.My reason for explant ( originally ) was to ALLEVIATE THAT problem...FOREVER! it kept happening OVER & OVER! However,several of my friends went to him for their CC problems. Since he reimplanted me with his pocket protectors,I haven't suffered CC. Another benefit is; if for ANY reason,the implant leaks or breaks...all the silicone or saline is confined in the pocket protector.
Right now,I'm done ( hopefully ) with ANYMORE breast surgeries! My body needs a rest. I hate to be putting ALL this on this EXPLANT forum, But ALL the stories & REAL photos are information gathering for me. Plus,the real support of all these women for each other..is INSPIRING! We're NOT alone!
UPDATED FROM brooklynbabe
So many of you have been brave enough to post your...
brooklynbabeNovember 2, 2012
So many of you have been brave enough to post your photos before & after explant, you've given ME the inspiration & courage to post mine. I was sooo devastated post explant,I had a reconstruction done 2 years later.Was I happy about that.? ..NO.. But,I just could NOT deal with the terrible depression that I was dealing with.I applaud ALL of you sharing your very personal stories on this Forum,so we might all be able to help each other along our journeys. Knowledge IS power.
I had so many complications pre & post explant,I,too,like MANY of you wish I had NEVER implanted.
But I did,& one day,I will explant again. But THIS time,I will have so much more information,& all your recommendations.
I am thrilled with Dr. Berman,& his pocket protectors & his reconstruction of what I was left with post explant.But,I,like you,would like them OUT..& back to my natural breasts.
Bravo to ALL you wonderful,supportive women on this forum!
I had so many complications pre & post explant,I,too,like MANY of you wish I had NEVER implanted.
But I did,& one day,I will explant again. But THIS time,I will have so much more information,& all your recommendations.
I am thrilled with Dr. Berman,& his pocket protectors & his reconstruction of what I was left with post explant.But,I,like you,would like them OUT..& back to my natural breasts.
Bravo to ALL you wonderful,supportive women on this forum!
Replies (22)
November 3, 2012
WOW!!! What a beautiful job your last doc did!! So glad to hear everything is finally going your way :) it's been a long journey for you, and you deserve it to go right :) YA!!!! You look Beautiful!!!
November 3, 2012
Thank you Elle.. You're one of the VERY special women on this Forum,who has been so inspirational to me. Hearing your story,watching your journey,& seeing your support of ALL the rest if us..you LOOK beautiful..& you ARE beautiful..I am SO happy you're doing so well!!
November 3, 2012
I haven't had my explant yet, but the PS who is doing my surgery told me in my initial consult to wait for about six months after explantation to see my final results. He said that he had gum surgery on someone who had a case similar to mine and she was very happy for with her results. This was his response when I asked him about doing a lift at the same time as the explant. What an honest PS. I'm glad I found him.
November 3, 2012
I waited 2 years & my results only got worse! I am hoping you'll have a MUCH better outcome. Am happy for YOU that you found a PS you trust.
November 3, 2012
Wow Brooklyn babe, what a transformation! You have been one of the ladies on here who has kept me positive in bad times and I think you're amazing...AND you look beautiful!! Stay strong! xx
November 3, 2012
Thank you!! And..YOU'RE one of the women who are such an inspiration to me...taking us on your journey.
I will keep the white light around you!
November 6, 2012
Hi Brooklynbabe. Just read your story. What a journey you have had. So glad to hear your last ps was able to get such fantastic results for you. Wishing you all the best on your explant journey, whenever that may be. Please keep us posted. X
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry you weren't happy with your removal.