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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Feeling Light-hearted and Free Again! - New York, NY

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?Hello Everyone, I would like to share my...

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Glad To Be Me Again
WORTH IT$1,950

?Hello Everyone,

I would like to share my story so that it may help anyone else who is struggling with this decision. I would have to say, the most important factor is willingness to accept the results. That being said, there are many options out there, and hopefully one that will work for you.

I chose to have my under the muscle 350 CC implants (one filled to 400 ccs to compensate for a slightly smaller breast) removed under local anesthesia Although I had the implants inserted through my areola, I chose to have them removed through a very small 1 inch incision through the breast crease.?

I was initially a full 34 A/Band wanted to be a full B. I listened to my Miami ( at the time) plastic surgeon who insisted i would be happier with a full C. I should let you know, I am only 5 foot 1, and about 110 lbs. None the less, at 23, I perceived this to be the right of passage into womanhood, not to mention mean ex-boyfriends that believed strongly in plastic surgery and strongly against small natural breasts, and it also seemed many other women in Miami also had this procedure. 23 years later, I finally got them out I have been waning them out for about 5 yeas, but I had a difficult time finding a surgeon who was not trying to convince me to get new implants or have a breast life.

For years I have felt fake, that my breasts were the center of attention when I walk int he room, and most of all uncomfortable !! Those things were so heavy I love to run, but would find myself on he floor after a run trying to ease my back pain on the cool floor, hoping I could somehow relax my muscles by laying flat. Forget yoga, I felt I had two pillows under me in any floor poses.

In any case, chose Dr. Adler for his expertise and compassion as a surgeon, He explained all my options to me. Ultimately I chose the fastest healing time and most tolerable under local, also for fast recovery time.

I was a little nervous during the procedure, but I was told to take one pain killer right before the procedure, so that helped, The staff was very friendly, and I felt very comfortable. here was a moderate sting for the shots of local,but this was completely tolerable. I felt one pretty serious shock from the first cauterization, but the doctor immediately gave me more local at this point, after this I felt nothing,and chatted with the nurses.

The entire procedure took less than 1 hour.

I was driven home, and I slept a lot, mostly because I took the day off, but quite frankly I felt good enough to go back to work ( don't do that. Just listen to your doctor.) However the next day I went back to work, and the rest is history.

I have photographed my progress, and hope to keep adding pictures.

I feel super happy, and I feel 100% I made the best choice for me. I have an amazing boyfriend who supports, me, brought me comfy bras, and a loving sister who treated me to a VS shopping spree where I brought new bras. I am a a 32 A a this point, which is marked loss of volume I am a little saggy, but nothing I can't live with, and I am hoping I continue to heel.

I look forward to hearing your stories, ladies, and I am here to answer your questions.

Glad To Be Me Again's provider

Hilton C. Adler, MD, FACS

Hilton C. Adler, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Glad To Be Me Again

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Replies (6)

November 19, 2015
So happy for you. You actually sound lighter and brighter in your story. Believe it or not my breasts before implants were smaller than yours. I actually would be happy if post explant my breasts look as good as yours do! Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear you are having such a great recovery!
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December 4, 2015
Thank you :) best of luck to you and I hope to hear how it goes for you!
December 14, 2015
Your breat look perfect. Im getting mine removed soon and would like to know if local stesia is scary? You said you felt something? Did it hurt or did it just feel weird?
December 14, 2015
Breast *
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December 14, 2015
Thank you!

The local is not bad at all. Then one is nervous as you wait for the doctor to begin, but as soon as he/she begins you see that you don't feel anything. You can tell something is going on, but you can't see (there is a divider) and a nurse stays with you on your side and talks to you.


Then I just chatted away nervously but I felt nothing and relaxed :)

Good luck on your removal!
December 14, 2015
Did you have any fluid build up? How long did you have to wrap ypur breast down to prevent build of of fluid?
UPDATED FROM Glad To Be Me Again

Update, I had them removed 12 years later, not 23!...

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Glad To Be Me Again
Update, I had them removed 12 years later, not 23! That was a typo. I am 35 years old currently.

Replies (39)

April 24, 2013
You look beautiful, Glad! And you look natural! The VS bra looks great on you--you even have cleavage! Thank you so much for sharing your story.
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April 25, 2013

Hello! Thanks so much for the comment! I hope I can help anyone who has questions or is just interested. I was hoping to post a few of the bras that have worked for me during this sensitive time, in case they are good for anyone else, although I realize everyone's results and size are different. I do hope to convey the message of how liberating it feels to have gone through with this decision. Thanks for inviting me to share my story.

April 25, 2013
Great idea! If you find other bras that you love, please share! Did you already check out the bra websites I posted in my review (look for me under (2B Healthy")? I keep checking them out because they're so much cuter than the huge bras that so many women with implants need. :-)
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April 25, 2013
I will certainly check it out! And I agree. So far it's been so much nicer to wear my soft wireless cute bras. I did get one push-up for those dresses that no longer fit properly, but the direction I am moving is to buy flattering clothes for me new (original) body. (BTW I find the wire push-up to be too uncomfortable at this time as it rubs the incision.) One thing at a time though, as I can't go on a shopping spree at this moment. Along the same lines, I have found it helpful to choose my outfits for work the night before, a I have found myself frustrated (and late to work) in the morning trying to find something that fits.
April 25, 2013
You know what's strange is that I never wore underwire bras until I got the implants so I'm looking forward to wearing wireless ones again. :-) That's a great idea to pick outfits the night before. I get so frustrated when I end up changing clothes once or twice now so I can only imagine! I can't wait until May 13th to get this over.
April 25, 2013
Hey, glad!! Congratulations cor making it to the "other side" happily! Your boobs look awesome!! I feel ya on the yoga thing. I love it but some of those poses were very awkward and uncomfortable with implants. I can't wait to do it again and actually feel completely comfortable and free!! Happy healing!! xx
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April 25, 2013
Hi there! We explanted on the same day! So happy second week birthday to your new/old self! Isn't that strange, about how PS have also told me I won't be able to handle an explantation psychologically, bigger is better, get new ones, etc? I ma shaking my head as I write this. Sorry about your encapsulation. That must have been vey uncomfortable! I am also so happy to be "on the other side." It was so much easier than I expected, and recovery has been a breeze. The body is amazing it its ability to heal itself. Happy Healing and Hugs to you!!!
April 25, 2013
Haha...Happy second week birthday to you, too!! Time is flying, thank goodness!! ;)
April 26, 2013
OH MY.. I too had heard that from a PS about explanting. The PS had first stated that I had some psychological issues and was not bonding with my IMPLANTS??? really?? I could hardly hold back, once I could speak, I simply said. Umm. Look at my records, I had implants, Saline, above muscle for over 20 years, And had no issues until they prolasped on one side??? The things you hear sometimes....anyway,Congrats to you guys that just had explants and soon will have them!! April 29th!!! NOON.... countdown to being a true Woman again! The way we were intended to be! YES...:)
April 26, 2013
Thanks, grapefruits!! How exciting! Three days to go for you?! Enjoy your weekend, make sure your house is clean because you won't be able to do anything about it for a while, and get ready to be implant FREEEEEEE!!! ;) ((HUGS))
April 26, 2013
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I am just sorta spinning around today. We have had snow all through April, so it is finally hitting 60 & 70's this weekend. I plan to haul all my Patio Furniture out today and just sit and soak up much needed SUNSHINE!! I am so thankful for all of you guys out there. We do share this kind of bond, no one can understand. It truly has touched me to read all of the comments from you guys!! I am scared but ready to meet the OLD- New me again... I have no idea what I will have once these Grapefruits are out, but I am ready. :))) thank you!!
April 26, 2013
I am literally LOL as I read this, grapefruits!! IMHO, as a psychologist, to have someone say you were not BONDING with your implants??? I call bulls__t on that and that's my official clinical judgment. :-) Like a person can bond with bags of silicone/plastic/whatever. Ha ha! Pretty crazy, eh?
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April 29, 2013
I can't believe my eyes! What a skewed world. Looking forward to hearing everyone's success stories!
April 25, 2013
You look amazing! Again, sorta the pre size is what I am dealing with. Love your results!! It gives me such hope! May 1st I am down for having my Explant but I just had a call and it is looking like I can have my Explant on Monday April 29th! A Someone else changed their time around. I prayed for this last night while laying in bed in Pain because of the extreme hardness and just overall poor health issues. I am taking the earlier date! WHOA. Scared but reading these comments help me so much! Thanks, peace and healing to you!
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April 29, 2013
Hi Grapefruits! Sorry I missed this post. Today is the 29th!! How did it go! Sending you good vibes! Hope you are felling well!
April 29, 2013
Thank YOU. I posted an update.. I am breathing and small boobies again~ Rest and healing and lots of Patience needed I am guessing. 100% feel healthier with the breathing already..wow.. just hope the breasts fluff ? Tell me that happens with time girls?? I know most of you have had these same comments about the first look and see.. I will be patient. I can Breathe!!!:))
April 26, 2013
congrats you look lovely!!!
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April 29, 2013
Thank you very much!
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April 28, 2013
Beautiful!
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April 29, 2013
Thanks so much! I appreciate that!
UPDATED FROM Glad To Be Me Again

Results today, 2 years later

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Glad To Be Me Again
Hello all!

Thanks for all your lovely responses. Some of you asked for a more recent review/photos to see how it all filled out. I'm still happy I chose to remove them, and this is how they look today. Overall, you can barely tell I ever had them altered to begin with. I feel very lucky and I hope this post helps you with your decision.

I really do feel so much better and like me again.

Replies (13)

December 3, 2015
Wow, you like amazing!!! You are blessed to have such great results!:)
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December 3, 2015
Thank you so much :)
December 3, 2015
WOW you look great! My surgery is tomorrow and although I have mentally prepared myself for a less than ideal outcome I'm hoping that I could have results similar to yours :)
December 3, 2015
Also did your back pain go away? I have chronic low back pain that I think is caused by me overarching my back to relieve the pressure on my chest/shoulders/upper back
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December 4, 2015
Best of luck to you tomorrow! You will be happy with your results just be patient at first. It's a huge change. And at first they may look funny but with time they go back to a more natural state.

As for my back. Yes. I definitely feel it positively affected having back pain. For me it's the top of my back, between my shoulders right under the back of my neck. Somewhere like where the sport bra crosses in the back.

It still bothers me from time to time. I noticed the shape of my back changed there and it hunches every so slightly. It makes me very sad and I intend to see a doctor about that. It's better but I am afraid I did some longer term damage from the weight of the implants and the way I always slouched to try to make them seem less obvious. I used to run a lot too with the implants. That couldn't have been good.

It could also be I sit a lot at my desk job hunched over.

In any case. I would say there was a marked difference in the back pain upon removal and that it definitely brought relief.


Best of luck to you tomorrow. Would love to know how t goes for you!
December 4, 2015
Thanks! It went great and I think that I am going to be very happy with my natural self.
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December 4, 2015
Good!! Rest up, enjoy this time of transition, how exciting. All the thoughts running through your head right?! Stay peaceful, you will heal better. I'm very happy for you and glad you reached out. To a new chapter in your life, cheers!
December 3, 2015
Wow!! You look so great. I hope my results are like that. My explant surgery is in 3 days, and I'm starting to get a little nervous! Thank you for sharing your story. Did you find that your boobs are bigger now than before you had implants at all? Or do they look almost exactly like they did pre-implants? Thank you!!
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December 4, 2015
Hi!! I send you good vibes and mostly that you don't have anxiety before or during the procedure and that you have great results.

Upon first removing them and for a few months after I felt I had loss of tissue/volume.

As the years have gone by the volume is back and I feel I may be bigger than pre augmentation. It could be my age also. When I got the implants I was so young. I feel I may have not been completely finished developing.

Therefore, it could be I am just bigger today. Towards the end of having my implants, they felt bigger too so I suspect I may have grown a little.

Regardless, after ex plant they were kinda flat but they did "fluff out" with time.

Best to you!
December 4, 2015
Wow! You look amazing! I'm having my explant in January and I'm a little anxious about it, but can't wait to be my natural self again. Can I ask you..did you have the capsules removed as well? And did you have to have drains put in? I'm thinking if you went back to work so fast, you probably didn't. My surgeon is planning to remove the capsules, but I'm not sure I need that, as my breasts are very soft and I don't feel any hardening around them at all. Thanks for any helpful information and advice, and congratulations on having such success with your surgery. You look fantastic. : )
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December 4, 2015
Thank you so very much for your kind words :)

He did not remove capsule. He only went in under the breast in the tiniest slit he made, drained the implant, and then was able to pull out the empty implants through the tiny slit. Then he put in a few sutures after rinsing me (the felt really really weird. I had zero pain due to the local, but one can still feel sensation, and he placed what I assume to be saline inside the slits to rinse out the area inside. Felt really strange but that was very quick) then I was in the recovery room for a little while. I got dressed as soon as I could and was driven home.

Recovery was just a matter of resting and of course, peeking at the area in the mirror, observing the steristrips which were soon removed during my follow up.

No drainage needed for me. Congrats on your decision. There is something so freeing and empowering about being yourself again, with all due respect to anyone who prefers to have implants, I had my moments of glory either those too.

But, ahhhh. The be me again. I'm so happy.

Best of luck to you. Don't be scared. I know that's easy to say from the other side.

But really. The procedure was even pleasant. I had the nicest staff and I'm very chatty when nervous and they chatted away with me.

Before you know it. It's over. :)
December 4, 2015
Thank you so much for your reply and for sharing your experience. I'm going to talk to my doctor at my pre-op about possibly just getting a local and hopefully not needing drains. Your experience seems like it went so smoothly and it definitely makes me feel less anxious to hear how well it went. It's reassuring to hear how happy you are now too. i know everyone is different and everyone's case is different, but I can only hope I have as positive an experience as you and alot of others on this site. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this website. It's so helpful to read everyone's stories and advice. I will be sure to continue updating my experience and journey as well. Thank you again for sharing your story and for the positive encouragement. : )
January 10, 2016
you look amazing! Congrats! pray for me that my results will anything close to yours ;)