POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
My Story and Thanks to Everyone Here! - The Woodlands, TX
ORIGINAL POST
I decided to pay it forward. Without this...
LongTallTexanApril 27, 2013
WORTH IT$5,700
I decided to pay it forward. Without this website, I don’t know if I would have been able to make the decision to explant on 5/24. My story begins over 30 years ago. I had always been large-busted (34-D) but in my mid-20’s, my breasts really fell. I have to admit that bothered me. I married the first time at age 28 and my then-husband was always after me to get breast implants but I refused. He had a young daughter who lived with us and I just couldn’t see spending that amount of money on myself. After four years of emotional abuse, I finally left him and as a “happy divorce” present to myself, I got silicone implants in 1987 at the age of 32. They looked and felt wonderful and honestly, for years, I never gave them a second thought. Even when all the Dow Corning lawsuits were filed, I wasn’t worried. I felt fine.
Fast forward to 2006. I had married a wonderful man in 1995 and our life was good. We were on the way home one Sunday morning from our little beach house when suddenly, we were in a horrible wreck when a woman hit us head-on. Had we not been wearing seatbelts and had airbags, I think we both would have been killed. As it was, we both had some pretty bad injuries. I had 2 broken ribs, a fractured sternum, seat belt burns, and various other bruises, etc. My left breast really took a beating – I swear it looked like an eggplant! I just knew the implant was ruptured, but while undergoing a CT scan of my sternum, it was discovered that I had a tumor on my right kidney, so I had much more urgent things to worry about! I had surgery a couple of months later to remove the kidney and life went on. Shortly after that, though, I began to have wide-spread pains throughout my body.
My energy level tanked and I felt horrible all the time. I had brain fog and my hair started to fall out. My joint ached all the time. I can’t tell you how many times I went to the doctor and how many different tests were run over the next few years. Even though my muscle enzymes were elevated and polymyositis was suspected, that was ruled out. My liver enzymes were also elevated for several years, for no reason as well. At every doctor’s appointment, I always asked if there was any chance was I was going through could be related to my silicone breast implants and I was always told “no”. I was convinced I had fibromyalgia.
Finally, in the fall of 2010, I decided to have the implant removed. Every single doctor I consulted with told me I would look horrible with the implants removed. I was talked into replacing them with saline implants with a lift. Amazingly, neither of the old implants were ruptured. From the very beginning, tho, I hated the new implants. They were too large, too high and too close together but I figured I would just have to live with them. And the lift was also horrible. The scar on my left breast is very wide and that breast is square on the bottom. Not a good look at all – lol! My muscle enzymes and liver enzymes slowly returned to normal. Then I began to have terrible upper back pain, right at the scapula level and a horrible burning in my left breast. More tests were done and no one would say why. But I decided to have the implants removed because I’m convinced they are at the root of my problems.
I went on a couple of consultations and decided on Dr. Paul Gill because he did not try to convince me to get other implants. He really seemed to understand my concerns. He did say that we can’t do another lift for at least a couple of years because of the risk of nipple death. I don’t care though. After seeing the pictures posted by the brave women here, I’ll be fine. I’ll just get some push-up bras and have saggy boobs like every other 58-year old woman does! I’m also going to have a little lipo done at the same time as the explant – just a little off the upper & lower abs and the flanks. I may not have any boobs left after the explant but I will have curves! In all sincerity, I want to thank each and every woman who has taken the time to share their stories and pictures. You are all truly angels!
I’ve attached some pictures so you can see what I look like now. I’m 58 years old, 5’10” tall and I weigh 150. I’ll keep everyone updated and will post pictures after the big day! Thanks again, ladies. Big hugs to all!
I’ve attached some pictures so you can see what I look like now. I’m 58 years old, 5’10” tall and I weigh 150. I’ll keep everyone updated and will post pictures after the big day! Thanks again, ladies. Big hugs to all!
LongTallTexan's provider
UPDATED FROM LongTallTexan
14 days pre
I had my pre-op appointment with my surgeon...
LongTallTexanMay 10, 2013
I had my pre-op appointment with my surgeon yesterday. He estimates I will lose about 60% volume, mostly in the upper pole which is what I hate the most and think looks so fake. I'm so ready to get this done! Here are a few things I'm looking forward to post-explant: sleeping on my stomach; having a massage and not having to tuck a pillow underneath my boobs; getting and giving a REAL hug without wincing; knowing that when a man eyes me, he's admiring me rather than my stripper boobs (yes, I'm married but who doesn't like to be admired????); in that same vein, having a man look at my face when he's talking to me, rather than my boobs; wearing tee shirts without looking like a middle-aged pole-dancer; not having pain in my upper back, shoulders and left breast; but most of all, just being ALL ME!
Replies (18)
May 10, 2013
Those are all important reasons - we can all identify!
May 10, 2013
I know! I have found it truly amazing that most of the women here site almost exactly the same symptoms and same reasons for wanting explant.
May 10, 2013
With regard to the explant advantages, you said it perfectly!
May 10, 2013
Thanks! I'm sure there are many more, but that's all I could think of with only one cup of coffee in me :)
May 10, 2013
100% hear all those reasons to explant!! You will love it! The time will fly now! It seems like it was just 2 week for me, not I am 11 days after! Best of Luck! AKA lil Hoots
May 10, 2013
HaHa! Long Tall Texan, I like your comment about looking like a middle aged pole dancer! That's exactly what I have said to my husband about how I feel about the way I looked with giant hooters, I hated the men that would stare at my breast and not take their eyes off them at times, it really pissed me off but I would say to myself, self your put them out there for the world to take notice of them, so it's really my fault perverted men couldn't remove thier eyeballs from my breast. I also love the feeling of holding my grandbaby girl up against me now that these implants are drained, the boobs are soft again and I feel her closer to my heart rather, I can feel her now and I can feel my hubby's warm giant hugs. I so relate to you!
May 10, 2013
Years ago, I worked with a man who would always look at my chest rather than my face when talking to me. That used to so [RS bleep] me off! I can so relate to your comments about hugging your granddaughter and your hubby - those are the 2 people I want to hug first once I'm implant-free!
May 11, 2013
You have a wonderful figure and i bet you are counting the days aren't you?!! We'll be there cheering you on!! Xx
May 11, 2013
Thanks so much, light again and yes, I AM counting the days, and minutes too! :)
UPDATED FROM LongTallTexan
5 days pre
Hospital Pre-op done and everything is a go for 5/24!
LongTallTexanMay 18, 2013
Had my hospital pre-op yesterday and all systems are go for 5/24. Got all my meds filled today and bought all the supplies I'll need after I get home. Went to the grocery store and stocked up heathy food and stuff my hubby can make (he's retired so he'll be my nurse). I'm having lipo on my abs and flanks at the same time as the explant so I told my DH last night that we needed to take some naked pictures this weekend. Wish y'all could have seen the look on his face! I almost hated to burst his bubble and tell him that they were the "befores" for my surgery. As you can see from the pix I posted above, there is nothing sexy about my square boobs!
I'm so ready to get this done! I even dreamed about my post-explant boobs last night and, at least in my dream, they looked pretty good- lol!
I'll post as soon as I can after I get home next Friday. My surgery isn't until 10:00 a.m. So I doubt if I'll be home until late afternoon.
Prayers and good thoughts are welcome! Hugs to all. Xoxo
I'm so ready to get this done! I even dreamed about my post-explant boobs last night and, at least in my dream, they looked pretty good- lol!
I'll post as soon as I can after I get home next Friday. My surgery isn't until 10:00 a.m. So I doubt if I'll be home until late afternoon.
Prayers and good thoughts are welcome! Hugs to all. Xoxo
Replies (35)
May 18, 2013
Yay! You're almost there!! I wish you a smooth surgery and healthy recovery, LongTall! Can't wait to hear how it goes and see your progress!!
May 18, 2013
It is so nice to put on little t shirts again and not feel those hard bumps!! It just feels more youthful.. You are going to be soo happy!! xx
May 19, 2013
Thanks Lightagain. I can't wait to wear cute little shirts again without feeling like a stripper :). How are you doing . . . Has your bruising faded any? I bet you look amazing! Xoxo
May 19, 2013
Still very bruised...for some reason the doc told me not to 'ice' them ...hmm but they are slowly fading. My stiches com at Friday so then i'll post a new photo. Can hardly wait to gt them out...Wow your day is coming up soon huh? Bet you are excited. I truly am soo soo happy to be rid of them. Even my posture has improved :) xoxo
May 19, 2013
I wish you a successful surgery and a smooth recovery! The 24th will be here before you know it! I'll be right behind you on the 30th.
May 19, 2013
Thank you want2beme! I'll be sending healing thoughts to you on the 30th! Xoxo
May 19, 2013
It's like a new milestone in life! Everything is going to be alright! My prayers are with you!
Replies (25)