72 and Through - La Jolla, CA

I had my first implant in 1974-silicone over the muscle. That quickly encapsulated and I had to have a re-do, still over the muscle. In those days, physicians tried new tricks with each implant-the second time he put some prednisone in with the implant hoping that would stop any encapsulation. Good luck! It did not work so my surgeon put it under the muscle. This was the 3rd procedure. It encapsulated anyway and a crazy plastic surgeon (mine was out of town) tried to rip the capsule since I was in so much pain by squeezing my breasts with all his might. What pain and, again, it did not work. I moved to another state and tore the capsule while cleaning my bathtub. Again I had to have the implants removed and replaced due to the pain; this time the surgeon used a different type of implant and, guess what, they encapsulate anyway. I had them removed and replaced and, guess what, they encapsulated. I went to another surgeon since this one passed away and he put in saline implants and guess what-they were Mentors and one of them collapsed. They had to be removed and replaced with silicone again. AND GUESS WHAT-they encapsulated again..By this time, I had very thin skin and needed Alloderm to hold the implant. Guess what-they encapsulated. One more time, I had a revision-with Alloderm again and now the surgeon who was a doll and a woman said, since you are in so much pain and they are encapsulated again-not to mention riding almost up to my clavicle-scars everywhere and lots of pain, we should explant and leave them out. On October 24th this year I did just that. My chest feels so much better without the heavy weight of the implants. They were only 300 cc's. Since I had no breast tissue to begin with and all the explants and capsulectomies took away whatever I did have, I am afraid to look. At my age, I am 72, it really does not matter---and I guess it never really did, except in my own mind. I was a Ford Model years ago (biggest modeling agency in New York) so I must have been pretty. I think women should reconsider leaving alone what God has created. After all "Father knows Best". If you encapsulate, consider not re-implanting. It will probably only happen again! God Bless

I think the decision to explant was God's way of showing me that I needed to take a step back and view my life's decision regarding taking care of myself. My pre-explant EKG was abnormal. I had to have a stress test before I could be cleared for surgery. I had the surgery and fainted again-I had fainted previously before the surgery-and if I do it again I will have a real problem with my heart. I would not have known had I not made the decision to explant which required lots of pre-surgical testing. I think it's time to rest-really rest...our breasts are not nearly as important as our physical health but we take that for granted. At 72, I think I need to consider that I am not 25 anymore even though I have the strength and energy of some one that age. I'll keep you informed as to my progress both healing and health wise. Thank all of the ladies who shared their experiences. They really helped. I hope mine will also. God Bless!

Today is a scary day for me. I got up, went down to breakfast, started feeling dizzy, pain in neck and throat. I guess I really do need to see a Cardiologist. However, my implant removal is healing nicely. My drains are out, I look really different from all of you gorgeous girls post op but I feel great about what I did. Best decision I have ever made. I am putting coconut oil on my scars and found a Jockey XL bra with high back to wear plus two others in Marshalls for $10.00 with removable padding. They are great. Yesterday I fast walked for twenty minutes. That was exhilarating! I purchased several things from the Internet which don't cling and they fit really well, "surprise, surprise, surprise" as our friend Gomer Pyle would say (if you are old enough to know who he is)! I also bought silicone gel to assist with scar improvement and some creams for massaging breasts to enlarge them but my PS says wait until next week before using any of that stuff. I love you all for your stories and support during this not-fun time. Some of us don't have anyone who really understands and supports our decision and having you all takes care of that. This is a fun, educational and emotionally comforting site and I am sooo thankful for it and you. Keep sharing and God Bless!