Break on Through...to the Natural Side! - Tampa, FL

Hello I am 45 years old, and have had implants for about 9 years, I am average height of 5'5" with a small frame although I need to lose about 10 pounds right now. I was originally a size 34B and woke up to a 34DD after I got implants in 2004! My expectations at the time, recently divorced, was to have a lift- my girls were very flat and laid low- but the surgeon talked me out of it saying he could achieve the same effect with implants and that a lift was more expensive. Even though that is what I was told, I can only blame myself for getting the implants. I did not do enough research about the dangers of implants, nor did I consider how I was going to feel a few years down the road having such a drastic change in my body. The morning of the implant surgery I repeated to my surgeon that I did not want to be so big. He laughed and said I was the only woman who made such an odd request, because most asked for the opposite- to be bigger. He also said he had to make them big in order to fill the space of my flat boobs...
Long story short, I have been unhappy with them for many years and am ready to have them out, my surgery date is set...and I should have done this a lot sooner. Three years ago I even had the date and everything set up but I lost my house and my credit. I am now at a point in my life where I am learning so much about GMO's, organic eating, living simpler, not being such a consumer, etc. In general I don't like fake nails, fake hair, fake anything, but ironically, I have fake boobs, and that needs to go. My expectations for the explant scheduled for July 24th is to get rid of this extra weight on my chest, back pain, pressure and soreness, trouble breathing sometimes, and trouble finding tops and dresses that fit. It is basically as several other people have said, we are carrying an extra 2-4 lbs in our bodies-- some of us longer than others-- and most people can tell they are fake. Well, a lot of people wonder, I do everything I can to hide or diminish them from scarves, minimizing bras, etc..but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what I have done because I know they are in my body, and boy do I feel it:( Even bras in my size are very difficult to find. I often get the wrong kind of attention. I feel that a lot of men don't even look at my face that much they are so focused on my boobs. Luckily I have a partner now who supports me 100% in my decision. I am not getting a lift and I don't think they will look very nice but at this point I just want them out. I will find good bras and wait for the fluff fairy I guess. One other possibility was waiting another year to have enough for the lift but the thought of having them another year makes me sick.
Needless to say, I am so happy I found this site. I found it after I went for the consultation, and I was so nervous that day, I had my boyfriend drive the car. I was expecting the surgeon to talk me into smaller implants, didn't know what the costs were going to be or even if he would do the explant surgery. Luckily none of that was the case, and I was immensely relieved to set the date and figure out the financing.
So now I am just waiting for the big day...I am much more psychologically at peace. I paid the cost of the explant ($1540) and I will just have to pay the surgery center $1,297. If I was also getting a lift the cost was going to be almost double. It will be about 3 weeks before I go back to work so that will give me enough time to recuperate. I am a little worried about whether people will notice, I know it's petty but I do wonder if the change will be very drastic.
The reason I am feeling good about it though, well there are a few reasons but the main one is this site and this group of fantastic women!--reading the other reviews, questions, advice, support, and general good feelings coming from this group. I have only discussed what I am doing with my partner and one of my sisters. I feel like in general people may not understand all the emotions we are going through.
I have also done quite a bit of reading--and don't mean to freak anyone out, I kind of stopped because I don't want to feel worse than I already do--on women who have had serious medical issues with implants, both kinds, silicone and saline, and how the medical establishment has denied correlations between implants and all kinds of debilitating problems...including some kinds of cancer. There really has not been enough research using a control group of before and after implanted women, and the effects of having them., So in addition to the discomfort, not finding tops that fit, soreness, etc, there is also now a psychological imperative to remove them from the fear of what implants may be doing in our bodies..in my body.
I have yet almost a month to go so for now I just have one pre-op picture and as the date draws closer I will update on my journey. Thank you all of you beautiful ladies, you have been my rock and support throughout. Please continue to post on your experiences and let's continue carrying each other through to..the NATURAL/other side!

Have spent the last week and today packing and moving to a new home, very excited...it's gotten my mind a little bit off the big day but of course daydreaming-- big day is fast approaching! Had nightmares worried that moving time was going to be a few days after the surgery--yikes! But things have worked out, God or Goddess, the universe, angels...something divine and beautiful is giving me a hand in all this, and I am extremely grateful and appreciative. Will spend next two weeks unpacking and settling in so I can rest after the surgery...
So exhausted right now, ready to collapse, we moved all the big stuff today...of all parts of my body that ache...ok you knew it was coming...the big ms muffets are the ones that ache the most. Pressure in my chest is unbearable..patience, patience...everything will work out...

Well still settling in new house, almost all set up, waiting for the big day! I called the surgery center today to see if I could use my medical flex account that has over $2,000, at first they said I could use it but then when they looked up my name they said my procedure is described as "cosmetic" and it's "self-pay". I sort of expected it but at the same time I was disappointed it's being described as "cosmetic" when all I am having is explant with no lift. But moving forward...I will have the $1,297. for the center, will just have to be careful with spending because of the moving costs, etc..
Very happy thinking about finally having them out and being smaller and more natural, lighter, cuter tops and ot having to worry about looking so big and exaggerated up there...Also good to hear so many other stories of women who have just been explanted and are feeling so good about their bodies...once again thanks for being all the support, you have all made this journey so much easier...