Mammogram Caused Deflation of Saline, Replaced with Silicone - Now Too Big!! Be Gone 700 CC - Peoria, AZ

I am a 49 year old who actually really loved my implants originally - heck I think all of us did at one point or at least thought we did. But I don't anymore. Here is my story: I had lost some weight, working out and after a bad break up of a 2 year relationship, wanted to focus on ME for once. I had my original surgery in January 2004 and had 400 cc saline under the muscle implants - loved them. Was a 34 c naturally - then 34 dd. I am 5'8" and weighed 135 and felt pretty good overall.

Fast forward to March 2013 - had a typical annual mammogram and I should have known better when the technician told me, I am subbing in today, I haven't used this machine before, I haven't been at this facility before, blah blah blah... Oh dear. Well after about 4 or 5 times for my right breast, she finally sighed in exasperation and told me it would be best if I came back the next day for the regular technician to complete the films. They sent me away with a $10 gas card (for my trouble) and we rescheduled for the next day. The next day came and she called me to say to disregard because after all of the "man-handling" she actually got ok films. Okay - great. I have had a few "scares" in mammograms in the past - very dense breast tissue, need for follow up ultrasounds, etc so that was a relief. However... the next day I took a shower as normal and got out, toweled off and looked in the mirror... Um... wait a minute... um... something looked different, kind of different? no VERY different. I felt like it was the children's game - "which one of these things is not like the other?" My right breast had completely deflated!! WHAT!! Yes from the mammogram man-handler!! Well heck - now what do I do? My original implants were put in at Dr Serota's office in Colorado and I now lived in Arizona. I called the Dr's office immediately and they told me that since it was within the 10 years - my warranty was still in place. They would replace the implant and put forth $1275 towards the replacement costs of surgery. Great news - but I would have to go back to Colorado to get that done, find a place to stay for recovery and then get home on a plane. I decided to ask my nursing friends and she directed me to Dr Richard Brown in Scottsdale, AZ - she worked with him on prior occasions doing reconstructions and said he was wonderful. I went for my initial consult mid-April and was pleasantly surprised at my options. He said he could replace my implants and give me a lift. I was "borderline" in needing a lift and I asked if I could just replace without the lift. If I wanted to achieve the look I desired I may need to go a little bigger, ok - a little bigger wouldn't be bad right? I am tall, broad-shouldered, rather fit and could carry that off. OK. I talked myself into a little bigger implant in order to avoid the scars.

BIG MISTAKE. I am not happy... Not just unhappy - but actually HATE my body right now. I made a mistake in saying I wouldn't mind a "little" bigger. I guess I thought in my mind, ok maybe from 400-425 to 500 wouldn't be that noticeable, but not almost 2x the size at a 700 cc. That was MY mistake - I didn't put a limit on what a "little bigger" actually was. After about the first 6 weeks - I was in shock honestly - I began to just feel fat, uncomfortable and well MATRONLY - horrible word, but yes matronly. I feel like they are lower than my older implants were and if you lift them up in a push up bra - ok that's GREAT but that's not what I wanted to have to do... and it hurts!! They hurt.

My neck hurts, my shoulders hurt, my armpits hurt, the top of my right breast has started hurting as well as my nipple. The underside of my left breast hurts because the natural breast crease is lower, and I am constantly having to re-adjust myself in bras.

Clothing options are a joke, challenge? no a joke. I cannot find bras I like that don't look like well you all know. The nice ones are over $75 and they are still a 34 G, H? Forget about a reasonable swimsuit. Every one I tried makes me look cartoonish almost. I am usually around younger neighborhood kids at our pool parties and I am embarrassed and don't feel like I can be modest. I find myself hunching over, hiding my chest, instead of being proud and putting it out there!!

I have gained weight, significant for me in my opinion and I know that it is due to the depression over "what did I do to my body". I should have just left well enough alone and had them taken out. I am walking more at least 2.5 miles a day with our dog in the morning as well as going to the gym at least 3 x a week but that also makes me more depressed because finding sports bras and feeling comfortable working out is a challenge in and of itself!!

I had many questions when I went in for my consult on Sept 4 2014. But the biggest one was can I get these OUT! I have to say that I have read many posts about going to another surgery other than the one that implanted you when you deem the need to explant, but I felt comfortable with Dr Brown and returned to him. There was nothing wrong with the surgery he performed, don't get me wrong - he did EXCELLENT work, I have a great result. I just don't want this look any longer. Dr Brown was AMAZING! He completely understood where I was coming from and that in order to avoid the lift, we went bigger, but we should have just stayed the same possibly and did the lift, but who can say. We are where we are today and I have made the decision to explant. No replacement, no lift, nothing. Just let my breasts heal naturally. My questions of course were, do I have enough breast tissue to bounce back to anything? Would they sag, so much that I wish I would have gotten a lift? He advised me that they will bounce back - I do have enough natural breast tissue, now could he tell me I would be a B or a C? No, but if I don't like where everything sits - give it at least a year and then we can discuss a lift IF I want to go that direction. No upselling, no pushing of additional surgery.

I discussed all the options with my husband. He is not pleased to lose the BOOBS, but wants me to be happy. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary and he realizes that I have not been happy for over a year and just wants the old me back. So do I.

I have scheduled my surgery for 10/6/14. My pre-op appointment is next Tuesday 9/23 and I am nervous, excited, anxious, all of the emotions all of you have or have had I am sure. I want to let you al know that I have been reading all of the reviews, lurking for awhile and have decided to put my words down in a review. Thank you to everyone for all of their stories. I am excited to be natural again!!

Quick and painless. Very informative. My capsule is thin enough that Dr Brown doesn't feel that it will need to be removed with the implant. Good/Bad - I have heard / read both sides and feel extremely happy about this. Drains - or no drains, not sure at this time as typically he likes to put them in, but depends on what type of fluid will be an issue. I advised that I have heard they can be uncomfortable, but I would rather have drains than a seroma complication!! I can deal with the drains if it gives me the best outcome and speeds up healing!!

Dr Brown said that he may score the inside of the scar to roughen it up a bit so that it will stick to the wall and heal better. He said that he may stitch from the inside out as well in order for it to lay in the best position. Dr Brown does lots of reconstructive surgery and I felt extremely confident. Pictures, RX and measurements for post-op bra and I was on my way. Can't wait for October 6!!