Feeling Light-hearted and Free Again! - New York, NY
?Hello Everyone, I would like to share my...
?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.
Update, I had them removed 12 years later, not 23!...
Replies (39)

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.







Results today, 2 years later
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)


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!


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!

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. :)
Replies (6)
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!