POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal Reviews
60yr Old with Original 28 Yr Old over Silicone Implants. Anxious to Lighten my Load!
UPDATED FROM dh60
3 days post
Upper Pole Fullness...The Lord Giveth and The Lord Taketh Away...Blessed Be The Name of the Lord!
dh60March 29, 2015
I'm 3 days post and I have to tell you I'm having a really hard time with this loafing around thing. Zero pain, Zero change in energy level. However, I'm adamant about caving into the temptation to do housework and such, all in an effort to avoid seroma. I had my follow up yesterday (Friday) the nurse pulled my drain...painless. Still had some upper pole fullness but was informed that it was all swelling...hey maybe she's wrong...after all...everyone of the medical "specialists" were wrong about my implants being silicone! Okay, I can dream can't I. Even though my drain was only putting out 10cc's or less in a 9-12 hour period I was concerned about it being pulled within 48 hours of explant so staying true to my neurotic tendencies I wrapped the ace around my sports bra for added pressure. One thing that I wasn't prepared for...I can't go without my sports bra as it feels like my breast muscles are being pulled downward...anyone else experience this?? As far as my "prognosis" thus far...let's just say...while it's not 'critical', they're probably going to need some sort of rehab. Definite asymmetry, slight depression of right upper pole...but on the upside...no skin tethering (yet)! To be continued...
dh60's provider
UPDATED FROM dh60
1 day post
Praising the Lord...Explant Exhileration!!! Vital Signs Stable!!!
dh60March 26, 2015
I was the dreaded late case yesterday with an 11:15 arrival time. I was taken back promptly by a nurse who gave me ted stockings, footies, gown and a robe...which is where her level of expertise ended as I have great veins and she missed, not only that but she kept up with the piercing, poking, and probing of that harpoon...finally I said ok that's it as I knew she was bound and determined. The next nurse got my IV straight away. Went in for procedure at 12:35 and out by 1:15 (35 minutes) had general anesthesia with LMA (less invasive), left the center at 3:30, home at 4pm. Even though it was pretty much a cake walk it did make for a long day. I have one drain (don' even know it's there) which is on the right where I had the baker III capsule. Last night I had minimal bilateral incision discomfort (inframammary), with the right breast feeling kind of raw, hard to explain but nothing that ice didn't alleviate (no pain meds, not even tylenol). Today my pain scale on a 1-10 is 0, only when I use my pecs...pulling or pushing mildly, feels like I've been working out. The biggest surprise was...my PS told my husband my implants were not silicone after all but saline (just as I always thought!) the downside is that insurance may not cover my explant now, so the PS says. I didn't see my PS before I left the center but I asked why my binder was so loose especially as I didn't have a drain in the left (and I've read it should be tight especially in the absence of drain)), the nurse assured me that my PS doesn't wrap tight...feels like it's so low it could slide down to my waist and doesn't give my breasts any support whatsoever...really annoying so today I tied two sweat shirts up under my breasts to give some support. I go back tomorrow to have my drain discontinued and sports bra will replace binder. My drain put out 20cc last night, 5 this am so I don't think it'll be worrisome that he's taking them out so quickly...comfort wise I still can't even feel it's there. Now I know what you're all waiting ladies!!!... results of course!!!! I was instructed to leave all bandages and wrap in place until my follow up but they said nothing about peeking which in my case with the wrap so loose is pretty simple...I peeked yesterday after I got home and 57 times since then...first the good news...to my shagrin I have a good portion of upper pole fullness even when I pull my ensemble away from my chest so it's not the binding pressing my breasts upward...I'm hoping that it's not just swelling that ends up dying a slow death. But overall at this juncture, my breasts are full and appear (from what I can see) to have nice shape. Now for the bad news...pretty sure I'm going to have some dreaded asymmetry...smaller on the right but it's hard to fully assess at present. Also my right nipple (not the areola) is caved in slightly, I'm hoping this will correct over time. All in all, not a bad report and if I retain what I have and then "fluff" afterward...there is no way I'm going to do a lift!!! Yesterday, although I wasn't tired, I just felt blah and lounged around and drank tons of fluids (flushing out all the meds I was given during anesthesia). My PS instructed me to stay above a 30 degree angle while resting/sleeping in bed (to curtail swelling). My dear husband brought a chaise lounge in from our patio and set it up in the bedroom but I wanted to give the bed a try first with all the pillows arranged...not too bad but I'm going to try the lounge chair tonight for a comparison. Had trouble falling asleep last night (finally crashed at 2am), not sure why, up at 7am today as we start school here at 8:15am...did a full day of school with my kidlet and now I'm feeling like a little nap. I just want to give credit to the Lord first...I am so thankful to Christ, my Lord and Savior, for this site and all the info I garnered in prep for this procedure. I feel that I went into this fully equipped in all that I needed to know...thanks a million ladies for all your encouragement, support and fun!! Will follow up with pics at a later date, still a little nervous about the complete unveiling!
Replies (5)
March 26, 2015
Oh my! So happy to hear from you!!! Nothing like getting stabbed with a needle over and over to calm your nerves before surgery! UGH! So glad your surgery was a success. I've been waiting (impatiently) all day to hear from you. Thanks so much for the update!!!
March 26, 2015
Hey Live, you're so sweet! And you're so right about the needle stabs...I was thinking gee I hope this isn't representative of how my gig was gonna go that day! Can I just say...you don't need to travel to see Dr. Feng for this procedure! Even if insurance pays, you would still need to pay out for accommodations etc and then what if you came home and developed a complication...one reason why I chose to stay local. Call around and find a PS who does a lot of reconstruction and cosmetic breast work and you'll be fine, I would also ask if their office staff is efficient in dealing with the insurance companies as you're trying to go that route. Any update on your MRI?
March 27, 2015
Hi DH! Dr. Feng is 1 1/2 hours away from me...same as Dr. Francis Johns in Monroeville, PA.. I'm right between the 2 of them. Not super close, but not too far. I don't see any PS on real self any closer, but I can try to research on google. Dr John's consult fee was only $50 & I heard Dr Feng's is $150 (that's a lot of difference for someone with a tight budget). I've been told Dr Feng is extremely experienced in explanting & her office will try to run through insurance if she feels explant is medically necessary. I just feel so confused on what to do. Maybe I'll be of clearer mind once I talk with Feng's office manager tomorrow.
March 27, 2015
So there are no other PS's in the vicinity? Wow there are so many here in my neck of the woods!! My PS is 15 minutes from home. Personally I wouldn't go with a PS that charged a consult fee...none of the 5 PS I consulted with charged a fee! But if you live in an area that's not densely populated you're probably stuck! If you have a choice with insurance paying for explant...Dr. Feng seems like the best bet!
March 27, 2015
Hi DH, I'm sure there are many PS in my area, but none are on real self. That's where I've been looking for reviews. I can try to research closer PS in the morning :-) It's surprising to me that you found 5 PS that don't charge a consult fee!
March 28, 2015
I only came across one who did charge a consult fee to the tune of $100.00 and I didn't go to him for consult for that reason although he was recommended by a breast specialist I had gone to. In addition...once you get some names off google just google a review on them, that's what I did. Of course be prepared...most people only write a review when they're disgruntled...if I had based my decision on reviews only I wouldn't have selected the PS I did. I think the best way to check up on a PS's reputation is to find out where they do surgery, call the facility, and ask to speak to a nurse about all the PS with privlidges there, see if she mentions the one you're interested in and what she has to say about him. Perhaps she'll give a recommendation about one you don't know of. Nurses are a good source for referrals...they've got the skinny on all the docs! :)
March 28, 2015
Hi dh...seems like a few of the PS on my list have their own surgery center that are also equip to handle emergency if so needed. Their nurses are staff nurses so tricky getting an unbiased input. To a degree I will have to go with my gut feeling Found one who can do in office but for more involed cases such as Explant in my case would do that at the hopital type surgery center. Saw this PS about six months ago...and I come to realize since I have been going on this forum....he never elaborated on the procedure details....he's off my lists!
My PCP's nurse had involved reconstruction she spoke highly of her PS.....he happens to be on my list so that's one so far. And for sure I will call the surgery center....not every PS has their own facility.... they're out there just gotta keep networking.
BTW hope your feeling good today!
March 28, 2015
Feeling great Avery, thank you! One thing that I would say about PS's having their own surgery suites... I know that the surgi centers are accredited and have very stringent regulations regarding equipment sterilization etc...I don't trust that docs hold to the same standards with their personally owned centers...I'm probably wrong but still wasn't willing to chance it, in fact one of the PS (with his own OR suite) I consulted with had his OR tech go over all the financial info with me after my consult with him. I just thought this was odd. I also didn't like the fact that he had an OR tech as opposed to an RN assist with procedures. I had a total of 11 professional staff, not all at one time of course, at the surgi center I attended.
March 29, 2015
I would have assumed the assistant would be a nurse! I'm taking notes dh....thanks again...
March 26, 2015
Congratulations and lovely to read about your experience......did make me laugh on your nurse experience although i'm pretty sure it wasn't so funny at the time?!! Hoping when you have your unveiling your a very happy lady......it sounds like you have some nice breasts going on under the bandages?! Keep trying to get rest where you can. Happy healing and welcome to the other side :-) xx
March 26, 2015
Thanks light! So thrilled to be an honorary member of the explant sorority! If I look a fraction as good as you I'll be way more than pleased! :)
March 26, 2015
Congratulations for getting through the surgery! I'm so happy for you. I hope insurance ends up paying for it but if not, then at least the worry of the surgery is behind you. I can't wait to have my implants out after 27 years. That's half my life. Just in the last couple of years they've grown so big and harder too. I wish they told me in 1988 whenI got them implanted that they would change when I hit menopause! Take care of yourself and my paryers are with you. I too have faith in the Lord, He is the only reason I can face the difficult challenges in life! Hugs to you!!
March 27, 2015
I agree my implants/breast were unchanged throughout the years until menopause...the last few years I absolutely loathed them as I saw how huge I looked in pictures!! UGH!! I'm grateful to the Lord for not soft pedaling the difficulties in this life and I'm not speaking of these minor issues of explant, to lift or not to lift etc.!! Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble but be of good courage, I have overcome the world." That eternal perspective is what gets me through this earthly sojourn. Blessings and thanks so much for your cheerleading!
UPDATED FROM dh60
1 day pre
Thanks for the Mammaries!
dh60March 23, 2015
I have a healthy diet but in the last few weeks I've all but excluded anything with sugar and white flour in prep for surgery...then my in-laws asked us to meet them for dinner at their favorite restaurant...they don't know about the surgery and how do you say no to your in-laws anyway. So I figured okay...last hoorah for theses fake breasts I've been sporting for the past 28 years! So with the exception of Saturday evening's backslide I've done everything I can to prepare my body for explant with general anesthesia on Wednesday...note my arsenal of ammunition in the pic...green smoothie's with cinnamon, Kefir, yogurt, bone broth with cayenne and turmeric, probiotics, and cabbage soup...but alas...will it be enough to battle 7 days of oral antibiotics...ouch!...overkill!!...but I plan to follow my PS instructions to the letter! Also, I thought it might be helpful if I took some before explant pics in a few of my bras, after explant I will dawn the same bras to give an idea of loss of volume. I don't know about you but it's always been anyone's guess as to what size bra I wear. It depends upon the manufacturer and has been that way forever. Some of my bras are over 20 years old and no longer fit...case in point...the grey underwire bra which is a 32D...I'm hoping to be able to wear it again post op...only time will tell if I've completely deluded myself! Upward and onward!!
Replies (5)
March 23, 2015
are you having a lift as well? I am having a hard time finding a surgeon that will deal with insurance. My insurance told me a year or so ago when I began this journey that they would cover the explant if it was coded right. I need guidance in this department and how to find a surgeon that will bill insurance. Good luck tomorrow I am excited for you and am looking forward to updates.
March 23, 2015
Hi svisint, I can tell you there definitely is a protocol! When I went to consult with Dr. Garber he was the one who told me that insurance might cover explant based on my implant leak and I had already read on my insurance carrier's website that they would review a case with baker III contracture which I have on the right side, so I had both of those things going for me :( !! Anyway he told me that I had to start over again by getting a referral from my PCP for a consult with him (so I ended up going the second time around and paying my co payment) also I was to bring my MRI report (done in 2007). The office staff handled the dealings with the Insurance company. It took about a week but they called to tell me that it was covered 100%...since then I have received an ambiguous letter from my insurance company so the bottom line is I'm prepared to pay the PS fee in the event insurance doesn't come through. They really can't be depended upon and they're not under any obligation to pay...we'll see. You're right the office staff must submit the correct codes to your insurance company. I had 5 consults altogether...1 PS was cash only, 2 PS office staff told me insurance didn't cover explant as it was considered cosmetic so they wouldn't even submit it and 1 PS told his office staff to check to see if my insurance would cover, they just took my insurance info and I never heard either way...Dr Garber's office was the only one that went through the proper channels with having me return for the second consult with referral etc. So...with this info, I would begin calling PS offices but it's very difficult, I'll tell you that up front because even Dr. Garber's office told me explant wasn't covered by insurance when I asked on the phone prior to my first consult with him. Most PS's don't want to go through insurance companies as they will not receive asking fee for service rendered...difficult waters to navigate for sure! Let me know how you make out! With respect to lift...the jury is still out on that one...Dr. Garber was the only PS who recommended the staged approach...explant...wait 6 months and then lift if appropriate. There is good reason for this especially if the implants are sub glandular because of the compromised blood supply which increases risk of infection among other complications. But there is an upside too...some PS's have said that they have been amazed at the results of skin bounce and retraction even in older women in their 50's, 60's with explant only. My surgery is on Wednesday and I hope to feel well enough to update my progress!
March 24, 2015
Best of luck to you on Wednesday! I wish you a safe, speedy surgery. You're going to feel like a new woman!
I had my first follow-up with my PS today. He is still not sure what type of lift (therefore incisions) he would do on me. He just needs to see what my breasts are going to do on their own over the next few months. I say do the explant, let your body heal/reshape/etc. and then do a lift down the road. Hey, you may not even need one. Or, maybe you could use one, but just don't want one. You may love the new you as is!!!
March 24, 2015
My sentiments exactly and likewise, you mentioned that your breasts are changing daily perhaps in a few months you will opt for keeping what you have. It seems to me that any lift procedure leaves you with less breast tissue so unless what's left is an inordinate amount of sagging tissue...just doesn't seem feasible. And can I just say again...you have an incredible bod for a gal that's had 4 kiddies plus you have youth on your side so you've only just begun retracting!! Thanks so much for the well wishes! Big gentle squeeze :)
March 24, 2015
Your day is coming very soon :) wishing you all the best on Wednesday. Your in my heart and prayers beautiful lady lots and lots of love. Hope you get last of rest for your big day! Xox
March 24, 2015
Thanks Lin...slept like a baby last night...we'll see about tonight!! Praying for you today that all is going well...congratulations in advance dear one!
March 24, 2015
Best wishes to you on Wednesday! I also always had trouble finding a bra to fit me. "Medium" was my size! I still haven't put any of my old bras on just yet; want to fluff a bit more. I have a feeling I'll really be swimming in them! But then again, the daily changes the body goes thru is really incredible. I almost feel like I'm going thru puberty again. lol
March 24, 2015
I'm sure hoping for incredible!! I tried on a bunch of bras today because I was interested in before/after pics...just left them on my phone. I was also wondering about my size, I see that most of my bras are 36C or 36D with a few 34C, 34D so I never went beyond a D cup but still way too big for my frame of 5'3 113lbs. As soon as I can put a bra on I'm checking things out for sure!!! They can change all they want...course I might be singing a different tune post op :( When I look at your pics post BA, I can't get over how bruised and swollen you were...also I never had much pain at all...you had quite a bit of breast tissue too, something wasn't right!!
March 24, 2015
Yeah, that PS really butchered me when making a pocket. I was in awful pain with bruises for months! I have no idea what he must have done to me. I look at women with BA reviews & some have a little bruising, but no one has to the extent I did! Well, that IS one reason his license got revoked & he got known as a butcher. I went shopping today & surprisingly, fit into a 32A. Which means I bet I was a 32D with them in. Didn't buy any bras though, cause I know I have more fluffing to go...and I'd be very happy if they fluffed themselves to a 32B. lol Do take pictures every day, even if it's just for yourself. I flip thru them and can't believe the changes daily. It's amazing to flip & watch how the skin has smoothed out and softened and the breast really gets defined more.
March 24, 2015
Hi dh....thinking of you on your count down to Explant day.
Your very wise with your pre surgery diet. You may also already know about the importance of magnesium in general....if not be sure to add a healthy dose supplement to your pre and post op diet.
Dr. Russell Blaylock in his book "Health and Nutrition Secrets...Harness Your Body's Natural Healing Powers" stresses the importance of magnesium as...."one of the most important protective factors for the brain and heart. It improves blood flow through every organ and tissue, improves pulmonary and kidney functions." My former Holistic doctor told me about this book....it is loaded with soooo much helpful and healthful information. You should treat yourself to this book.
I will pray an extra special prayer for you on you surgery day.
Wishing you a noneventful recovery.....:-)
March 24, 2015
Thank you sweetie, I will absolutely take your advice...wish I'd know sooner, I'll have to check my multivit to see how much mag it contains...and yes I've heard things about mag in the past but can't recall what. I eat a whole foods diet primarily...beef, chicken, fish, beans, rice, butter, fruit, veggies (mostly raw as I have a home made veggie dip I serve with)), seeds, nuts. As a rule we do no fast, processed or refined foods at all. I make lots soups with my bone broths. I credit my good health (no meds) and energy to this diet I embarked on 10 years ago...trust me...it didn't happen overnight! Thanks so much for your well wishes. Are you going for explant yet...any decisions made?
March 24, 2015
Better late than never! Most multivits contain at least 300mag. You'll be fine not to worry.....since you eat so healthy but if possible I would consider taking additional mag today and therafter.....you know....just added insurance.
I take Tri-Mag 300 by Da Vinchi Labs it contains Mg Taurate, Mag Malate, MagMalate. 4 equal 300mgs. (I take 6 equals
450 mgs...plus the 500 mgs that are in my daily multi. Ultra Preventive III by Douglas labs. Both wererecommended by my doctor. Compound pharmacies sell these brands. The TrI-Mag cost about $29. For convenience my first bottle was purchased there. I now search lowest price on-line. PMy last order for TrI-mag was with EarthTurns.com only $12.30 per bottle. It's so convenient for me to order supplements on-line....most take PayPal which is more secure.
I do the whole food eating life style too...Mediterranian diet without the meat for me. Been a vegetarian for thirty years now....and over the years my diet has evolved to what it is now. Basically eating from God's "Farmacy" whole foods, fruits veggies, legumes, nuts, seeds, grain....and love my quinoa! Years back I would have never imagined real food could taste so good...with so many herbs and spices...Yummy! I have a high inflammation response to processed foods....which most people do but have no idea why they feel so crappy. So for me a low inflammatory diet is the way to go. We are what we eat!
BTW I searched on-line for your PS....he is located on the same road in Runnnemed, NJ that my old High School is located.
Crazy...what are the odds!
No decision yet on when I will explant. Right now I have two PS that are on my list for consult...looking for a couple more. Would like to schedule consults close together....to keep impression vivid for choosing.
Take care and have a lazy rest of the day and sleep well!
Replies (5)