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POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS

Explant- Removal of Breast Implants 235cc Silicone Cohesive Gel, Sub Muscular

ORIGINAL POST

My Explant Journey. $6,000+ removal My breast...

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Pandalove
WORTH IT$6,000

My Explant Journey. $6,000+ removal

My breast story begins in my teen years with having been so underweight I was unable to grow any breasts. My mother had me in padded bras from age 13, on hormone treatments at 16 to try to grow breasts. Nothing worked. I would sew padding into my swimsuits. Nobody saw me naked. Nobody except family knew I had no boobs. Then in my mid twenties I bravely and with great vulnerability, showed my mother what I looked like. I had finally put on enough weight to look like I had a little something.

Her response to my form sent shock- waves through my soul. She gasped and with a look of horror she said "oh, you are deformed. You look hideous! You need breast implants!"

I was totally devastated. I thought if my own mother who is is supposed to love my unconditionally thinks that, what will my future husband think of me? I wept.

So that same year I had 235cc cohesive gel implants put in below the muscle via the armpits. My surgeon wanted me to go bigger but I insisted I wanted to be no more than a B. I can't tell you how traumatic it all was. I had drains in for 5+ days, was so nauseated from the drugs..... lots of pain in the weeks following.

Years latter when I had to tell my fiance that I had implants he was not happy about it. He felt I owed him an apology for not leaving myself the way God had made me.

After being married for several years I decided to show him my before surgery photos- let me tell you they were not pretty. His response? "There is nothing wrong with that. It is a very feminine look." I was really expecting a different reaction. I felt so loved and accepted. I cried happy tears.

Here is where my story gets spiritual for a little. It was during a church service six months ago when the preacher was talking about Jesus walking through the walls after his resurrection and showing up uninvited, in the room with his shamed disciples who were all in hiding. The preacher said "And Jesus will do that. He will turn up uninvited in the rooms of our greatest shame......" I was completely undone. I had the room of greatest shame come before my mind and my mother saying those lies to me. Me standing there in my nakedness, there was Jesus standing in front of me and he looked me in the face, light was streaming from him he said to me " You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are beautiful." His words completely overruled what my mother had said. It was like what she said did not matter anymore for my creator had spoken truth over me. I sobbed uncontrollably for about half and hour. I was free.

12 years since implants my right side had such a painful capsular contracture that I really did look deformed. I was in constant pain with a fire/burning sensation. I was having trouble sleeping. I was aware of them at all times. I could not lift anything it would hurt too much. My left breast with was not showing signs of contracture was also hurting with a burning sensation. I was very emotional and had to forgive my mother again. I just wanted them out of me. Psychologically it was very had to handle. Finally after months of waiting I had them removed via my areolas. The Dr. chose that method as I may not have had a crease to hide a scar in. I also had an areola reduction on my right side to try and even up my nipples which were not level even before having implants.

The surgery went really well. The Dr said that my implants were intact and they got everything out- all the scar tissue with no complications.

I had no nausea as I was not given morphine this time (what a difference that made to recovery to not spend two days vomiting).

When I saw myself covered in bandages in the mirror and saw my profile I loved what I saw. It looked so elegant (even with the drains and bandages). I really look like I have just lost a lot of weight. In the weeks prior to surgery I looked up images on pinterest "small chested beauty" and in magazines. I re-programed what feminine was in my thinking to prepare myself for my new look. I could see the small bust as very beautiful and sophisticated. I really loved my "new' shape. To have a level chest again was wonderful. My son saw me in the bath trying to soak of my bandages and he said "Mummy, you look so so so so beautiful" I could see in his young eyes that me meant it.

It is not quite two weeks since explant as I am writing this and I love that I can stand up straight again. I can hug my husband without anything between us. It just feels right.

I Sleep more comfortably....I am looking forward to all the other things I will soon be able to do without pain!

Replies (25)

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October 28, 2012

Pandalove, your story is so moving. I'm a bit at a loss for words, but thank you for sharing with us. *hugs*

October 28, 2012
We have to be so careful what we say to our children! Words even if unintended have a way of hurting forever. Well done, finally forgiving your Mom and making things right again for yourself!
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October 28, 2012
I totally agree! I am very careful how I phrase things with my kids. I look at my beautiful daughter and think if she ended up having any imperfections physically I know she has enough outstanding attributes for the right man to fall for her and love her just the way she is. Thanks for your words.
November 3, 2012
I am sooo happy for you. What a wonderful husband & son. You are truly a beautiful person inside & out :)
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November 5, 2012
Thank you Elle. And thank-you for your raw photos. They have encouraged me in my healing!
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November 5, 2012
I can't tell you how much easier it is to breathe. I can sing really loudly now as I can really fill my lungs. I went to emergency about a year ago as I had difficulty breathing and they could not find anything wrong with me. I think that is when my capsular contracture really began putting more pressure on my ribs. I no longer feel a pressure on my chest. Sleeping is wonderful.
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November 5, 2012
At the two week mark after surgery I did some light zumba excersise for half an hour and it was amazing. Nothing hurt! I felt great. I could breath deeply. I can stand up tall again. I had not excersised in a long time. I feel like I am back to my old self.
UPDATED FROM Pandalove

Three weeks since explant my right breast is...

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Pandalove
Three weeks since explant my right breast is starting to 'fluff' just a little. My nipples are a little less droopy. There are still hard lumps near my incisions on both sides but they are getting smaller.
When I lean forward it is not pretty. My nipples disappear and all I see is wrinkled skin leading up to a void (where my nipples are hiding). I have been told my my PS that all the lumps even themselves out over a few months. I am not worried about it.

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UPDATED FROM Pandalove

I have started going without a bra at all around...

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Pandalove
I have started going without a bra at all around the house. I really kind of like it. It is an adjustment to see myself look so lean but my husband thinks I look younger. I certainly feel younger now that my immune system is not attacking foreign objects in my body.

At the two week mark after surgery I did some light zumba excersise for half an hour and it was amazing. Nothing hurt! I felt great. I could breath deeply. I can stand up tall again. I had not excersised in a long time. I feel like I am back to my old self.
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I can't tell you how much easier it is to breathe. I can sing really loudly now as I can really fill my lungs. I went to emergency about a year ago as I had difficulty breathing and they could not find anything wrong with me. I think that is when my capsular contracture really began putting more pressure on my ribs. I no longer feel a pressure on my chest. Sleeping is wonderful.

Replies (8)

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November 11, 2012
Thank you for sharing.You look amazing!I just hope I look so well.
November 11, 2012
I'm so glad you're doing so well and are feeling so healthy. You look great! I too can't wait to be able to not wear a bra all the time. I have worn a bra with underwire 24 hours a day for the last 16 years!
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November 18, 2012
Ouch. I hate underwires. That must have awful- even to bed? You will feel so light soon. :)
November 19, 2012
Yes, even to bed! It's uncomfortable, but even more uncomfortable without it. Can't wait till I don't have to do this anymore!
November 11, 2012
Pandalove, You look Beautiful :)
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November 18, 2012
Thank-you preciosa
November 12, 2012
you DO look lovely. how lucky. you will look so elegant and thin in clothes for the holiday season. what a blessing. i loved your post. i too am post implant and so enjoying the real me - with my very petite frame and small bustline. even today i had on a delicate teeshirt with lovely buttons and it just looked so beautiful. i have never worn this shirt out of the house because it was too tight and looked tacky with cleavage. congratulations on being brave and being who you really are. you do again, look wonderful! ps, i noticed the very first night - i laid alone in the dark, my husband was busy with the kids - it was halloween, and i could breathe deeply. no pressure or weight on my chest. i almost felt giddy!
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November 18, 2012
Thank-you Jenfree. I love the new wardrobe too :) Happy for you!