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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews

Flat and Happy: Benefits of Being Implant Free! - Sarasota, FL

UPDATED FROM FlatandHappy
4 months post

4 Months of freedom!

WORTH IT$2,800
It has now been 4 months since I had my breast implants removed and I am still very happy! I still have some bruising and continual healing on my right underarm as the surgeon really botched me up and I had a huge hematoma that lasted for months but it gets better every week. The breast skin continues to shrink and I notice fluffing weekly as well. Though I have seen stories of women bouncing back in a few days, my process has taken much longer. It has still been completely worth it!

I feel so free when I exercise, dance, jump around, etc. I can hug and cuddle my loved ones closely without a barrier in between us. I also no longer feel fake or untrue to myself. I sleep better and enjoy the way my clothing fits more.

Along with my physical journey, I have been working on myself spiritually as well and continue to find the inner peace I was searching for so long ago when I decided to alter myself. I have learned that self-love is a process that must be practiced daily. Instead of asking questions like how can I improve myself, why don't I look like 'her,' or what's wrong with me, I have learned to ask what are my greatest qualities, how can I help others, what am I good at, and how can I have fun today...the answers are way more exciting. ;) Happy physical and mental recovery to all!

FlatandHappy's provider

Marguerite Barnett, MD

Marguerite Barnett, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Overall I am very disappointed with my experience under Dr. Barnett's care. She is a very lovely lady with a friendly staff but in my particular case she proved to lack the knowledge necessary for me to have a good experience. I received an ex-plant via the axillary (arm pit) approach and while she did state she normally does this procedure under the nipple, she said she could do the procedure just fine as long as I could handle a little extra tugging. A 'little' turned into me feeling absolutely butchered and bruised/swelling beyond belief for what should have been a simple procedure. I have seen several pictures of other women who have had great results via this approach so there was no excuse for this abuse other than Dr. Barnett not knowing what she was doing with the axillary approach and not admitting it to me so that I could find a more suitable surgeon. I am very happy to have my implants out but there was no reason for my recovery to be as hard as it has been. I developed a large hematoma on my right chest and armpit area right away and was told by my regular doctor that this was due to an error during surgery. I highly recommend finding a surgeon who is extremely experienced in the exact type of procedure that you would like to have before trusting them. However, I would like to add that Dr. Barnett and her staff have been very helpful to me during my post-surgery follow up. Even though I was not happy with the surgical procedure itself, they gave me a same day appointment on the day I was having the most trouble with a hematoma to check it out and they have also answered any questions about my follow up care via phone and email which I am very grateful for. If the actual procedure had gone as expected, I would give her a much better overall rating.

Replies (22)

Great story , I am so happy for you, such wise & comforting words ... Just what I need as I embark on my very own Explant journey x
Thank you! Best of luck to you. :)
So glad you share this journey or self acceptance and celebration. I am also learning to stop comparing/criticizing and be kind to myself. I just signed up for 40 days to Revolution by Baron Baptiste as part of my journey to accept my body.
Thank you. Wishing you well on your journey. :)
So happy to hear you are doing well! I explanted six days ago and I have never felt better about myself! I have a question for you, how long did you use compression?
That's great! I wore a sports bra with an ace bandage wrapped around me 24/7 for about two weeks and then I took the bandage off and wore a sports bra 24/7 for 2 months. Man does it feel nice to take those suckers off!
Thank you so much for sharing your story, and I agree with you, sorry to hear that your PS was not really suitable for you and the type of explant that you needed. You are an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you!
Thank you for such a positive, uplifting post. This is exactly what I have been trying to do. Love myself. I cannot wait to get these things out of my chest. I cannot wait to be over this. I also have been working on loving myself for the way I am and stop trying to be someone I am not. And I fully understand playing up one's strengths.
Thank you! It's hard to do but well worth the effort. :)
UPDATED FROM FlatandHappy
2 months post

2 Months post explant and happy!

I am just past 2 months after my implant removal and I love the way I feel! The hematoma has almost cleared, (bruising and swelling is much smaller, while still there, its not impeding me in any way), so I am able to bounce around to my heart's content. I was told that it would take several weeks for the hematoma to completely dissolve so the fact that it gets better every day is good enough for me. :) I am REALLY enjoying my body so much more without implants and I have even regained feeling in my breasts and nipples...AWESOME! I still highly recommend explant and while it may take awhile for your body to heal, retract the breast skin, etc. it is worth it! I am continually grateful to be 'all me' again.

Replies (13)

Oh I'm so glad to hear you're doing so well! You look beautiful and sound super happy! I must say I'm surprised you still having bruising but your PS put you through a rougher surgery than necessary. But wow, again I'm so happy for you! My explant is tomorrow!
How exciting, Congratulations!! And thank you :) My PS really did a number on me so that's the only reason I'm still healing. I'm sure your experience will be MUCH better. Best of luck to you tomorrow!!
Thank you!
Thanks for the update! You look great! So happy you are healing up nicely and that you are feeling good about your explant.
Thank you very much! :)
I've wondered how you were doing because you had so many complications. You seem to be healing up nicely and you look just lovely.
Thank you so much! Its been a longer road to recovery then expected but I am certainly happy I did it!
Thanks for the update! Love the bathing suit too! Where can I get it?
Thanks! I found it at Target. :)
Cute suit!! You look fantastic!! So happy to hear you are doing great!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it. :)
UPDATED FROM FlatandHappy
2 months post

32 B, it is

It has been 6 weeks since my explant so I went to Victoria's Secret today to get sized for a 'real' bra so I can have something to wear when I ditch my sports bras like a bad boyfriend in 2 weeks. ;) Funny part was I fully expected to walk in there and be told I was a 32 A so I grabbed several to try on and they didn't fit well. Finally my stubborn rear asked to be measured and I was told that I am a 32 B. Huh? The VS lady looked at me strangely as I kindly disagreed with her for a few moments before trying on a 32 B bra that fit really well.

I certainly won't complain about having more breast tissue than I thought I had but the moral of the story is that I was perfectly happy in thinking that I was an A and I am equally as happy as a B. Could it be that I am potentially learning to love myself no matter what??? Gasp! ;)

Replies (11)

Wow! That's fun! And it's "freeing" to hear that the size didn't matter anymore. Good for you! How are you feeling? How's your energy level? I know your surgery was harder than it should have been.
My energy level is high and I'm feeling MUCH better. :) Thank you for asking! The size really doesn't matter to me anymore...just today I have already discovered I'm an A in some stores and B in others- who cares!! Haha- just glad to be ME. :)
Your Story is exactly what I needed to hear. So much of what you said described how I was feeling, particularly on insecurities. I know my insecurities were the reason I got my implants, and your right, they didn't help. Instead I just felt insecure that everyone could see I that I had implants and were judging me on them. It seems whenever I think I've concurred my insecurities they rear their ugly head again. Even looking at this forum I found myself feeling jealous of the girls who had their implants removed and had natural nice looking breasts. I don't have that hope for myself as preimplant breasts were small and mushy after nursing 2 children, but they are mine, they are me. I've tried to accept the implants as me, but they just aren't, thank you so much for sharing your story. I am also glad to hear a story where someone had implants via armpit and removal this route as that is how mine went in and I am hoping to get the out.
I know exactly what you mean. It always seems hard to recognize our own beauty and sometimes I think we are taught that its narcissistic to love yourself and your body. I know I felt inadequate before implants and then fake/judged after implants so it took me awhile to realize that I had to work on the inner problem which was loving myself no matter what. Its not any different than people who lose weight and still aren't happy. I actually had to learn this lesson again after explant because I wasn't just immediately thrilled with my new body...I had a lot of insecurities at first. I think we just have to love our bodies no matter what one day at a time. :)
Amen
Absolutely
How are you doing now? Happy with your decision?
Doing great, thanks! Yes, I am happy :) What about you?
Yes! It has been two days and I am so happy I did it! I love how my body looks now. It's like Christmas! Can't wait to find a cute swim suit! Where did u get yours? VS?
That's awesome, Congrats!!! I love VS but I actually found my suit at Target. :)
Were your capsules removed?
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