POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Removal REVIEWS
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I am 33 years old, I received 525 cc saline...
Natural MeJanuary 3, 2013
WORTH IT$5,000
I am 33 years old, I received 525 cc saline implants 7 years ago and I have hated them for about the last 6 years. Starting at a 34B, the implants made me a 34DD. I started developing severe neurological problems over the last 2 years, very similar to MS. A neck MRI revealed that I have a herniated disc (maybe the horrible posture for the last 7 yrs?). I am a small girl, 5'3" and 130lbs, so the implants made me look and feel like a big spectacle! I started wearing big loose tops and feeling awful about myself. I quit hiking and exercising, and got very depressed. After reading so many stories about other women going through this, I decided to talk to a surgeon. I went to University of Virginia hospital and saw Dr. Campbell in November 2012 and decided to just get them explanted and not lifted. If they look bad down the road, I'll think about a lift later. I do not have insurance, and the hospital is working with me on a payment plan because the back neck and chest pain were considered a medical problem. I am only one week post-op (surgery 12/26/12) and my back feels 10 years younger already! I never even took a pain pill after surgery. This was the best decision I've made about my body, and I actually love my small boobs. I missed the way I fit into clothes before I wrecked my body with those things! My left side has some fluid build-up right now, as the drain slipped out the 2nd day home in my sleep. I'll post some pics in a few days after my follow-up appt. Has anyone had to have fluid drained post op? Right now I'm wearing the tight surgical bra, with an ace bandage wrapped around it to reduce the fluid...
UPDATED FROM Natural Me
10 days post
I went to my follow up appointment and my Dr...
Natural MeJanuary 5, 2013
I went to my follow up appointment and my Dr actually did an internal lift while removing the implants. He did a partial capsulectomy (anterior) which allowed some internal stitching and lifting to be done.
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UPDATED FROM Natural Me
10 days post
** still bandaged very tightly with swelling in...
Natural MeJanuary 5, 2013
** still bandaged very tightly with swelling in the left breast, will post after photos in a few days ** I am thrilled with the results!
Replies (23)
January 5, 2013
Wow! Sounds like your Dr really took care of you. Wish mine had suggested an internal lift, the results on everyone who have had this look great! Oh, well, my lift was a lollipop lift so he was able to clean out the scarring I had with my BA and reduce my areolas and that is what I wanted, so all is good! Glad you are on the other side of explant and are feeling well. :) My new bright outlook on life is amazing! Isn't it wonderful?!?
January 5, 2013
It is wonderful, I can't believe I already feel like going for a hike. Obviously I have to wait a bit longer though. I was thrilled about the doctor's exceptional care. The hospital did not approve an actual breast lift because I am self-pay and that part was cosmetic. However, Dr. Campbell is an experienced breast cancer reconstructive surgeon, and he was able to work some magic with the internal stitching!! Currently my right one is healed very nicely and my left one is 2-3 cup sizes swollen - he did say that breast was trickier so the swelling may not subside for another few weeks.
January 5, 2013
Congrats to you for doing yourself this favor. I too have neuro issues and have been diagnosed with MS but in doing some research before my explant have found some very interesting articles. Google 'Dr. Susan Kolb' of Atlanta. She believes that, in some susceptible people, implants cause all sorts of symptoms, some of them neurological. Who knows. Here's hoping for the best. Happy healing.
January 5, 2013
Thanks for the kind words, I am noticing no numbness in my fingers for the last 2 days - this is a miracle for me! I haven't had full sensation in my hands for a year now. Also the rib squeezing muscle spasms and stabbing chest pains have stopped. I hope this is explant related :)
January 5, 2013
I was laying in bed one night, months ago, crying my eyes out over these unexplained neurological problems. That episode of "Monsters Inside Me" came on and my husband and I just looked at each other in shock, with a hint of hope. That started my journey to explantation!! I see that Dr. Kolb has this on her site. The breast implant companies LIE and their buddies at the FDA do too, they are all in each other's pockets. I don't care what any professional says, saline implants can make you seriously ILL!
January 5, 2013
I haven't had any change in my neurological symptoms yet but my implants were around 28 years old and I've been having symptoms for almost that long. I'm thinking that since it took me so long to get myself into this mess that it might take a while to get out of it. I'm just hoping it's not too late. Only time will tell.
January 5, 2013
I have been to a neurologist and many more specialists, and told "peripheral neuropathy." It is likely that these symptoms are related to the herniated disc in my neck, because I've been slouched over for 7 years under the weight of the implants. However, I have had serious problems with vertigo and confusion too. My family doc referred me to a neurosurgeon, that is when I decided to get the implants out and let my body heal itself as much as possible before even considering letting them rearrange my spinal column. Just the fact that I can feel my hands is giving me a lot of hope. Best wishes to you that you'll find some relief!
January 5, 2013
So happy for you - I have to tell you I giggled when I double-clicked your above photo - it looks like you took it, standing nude, in the middle of Times Square! Here's hoping you didn't...tee hee. I hope your recovery is eventless! Keep us posted on how you are doing! Happy New Year, lighter woman. =)
January 5, 2013
I was "on stage" at a dark night club a few years back haha. I have matured very much since, and am finishing college. The more I got away from that lifestyle, the more I felt ashamed of my fake body. It has been quite a journey to self acceptance! ps - I am not this tan anymore! The after photos will look ghostly :)
January 5, 2013
Good for you for going back to college. I went back to school when I was 26 and now I'm working ony Masters, and my implants just didn't match with my lifestyle anymore. I was always trying to hide them. I'm so much happier now and I can tell you will be to!
January 5, 2013
Thanks for being so encouraging! I just enrolled in my last semester of community college - I'm transferring to a 4 year university to become a nutritionist. It is embarrassing, not flattering, to be a 33 year old woman and mother, having 18-22 year-old boys point out my "huge rack." I am so glad my body is back to the way my creator intended and not an entertainment piece for others to enjoy. I started wearing horribly baggy clothes to hide them, it will feel great to return to school next week with dignity! =)
January 5, 2013
Giggling, because I was almost right! =)~ Glad you are finishing college - now you'll be beautiful AND brainy...the perfect woman. =)
January 5, 2013
"True Confessions" should be the title of this forum, huh...so I'll ashamedly tell you both that I had two advanced degrees and STILL succumbed to societal pressure to get implants...how dumb was I? So, my previous "perfect woman" comment to Liv actually was erroneous...we all are perfect in our natural bodies, and the wisdom of our decision-making is apparently not correlated to education. =) I definitely feel wiser, now!
January 5, 2013
"True Confessions" is right! This is definitely a good place to be brutally honest, and I think it helps us heal to have others be so candid.
January 5, 2013
Yay!! Congrats!! I can't wait to see your after photos! We have a Very similar story!!!
January 5, 2013
I see that we do, I hope you can get yours out and find some relief soon. I have NO regrets at all, I just need to get over my insecurities. Time will heal :) When this left one isn't swollen anymore I'll share photos.
January 5, 2013
Ok great !! You can disregard the other comment I made asking for photos then ;-) rest up lady !! ;-) ugh typing this I just can't wait to have them out !!
January 5, 2013
Hi Natural, admire your story!
I also had fluid retention, PS decided to do another surgery. Went in and found a vein opened... If the swelling does not subside I would recommend looking into other options... Do you have drains?
January 6, 2013
My drain slipped out in my sleep (very tiny tubes) the 2nd day, I did go back on Thursday 1/3 to the PS. He said he didn't feel an actual pocket of fluid but that it seemed to be all over swelling. I am worried though as it is implant size breast now :( Getting very nervous, college classes start in 3 days.
January 8, 2013
Now I do! Just in the left breast. I also have to flush it with pre-filled saline syringes the PS sent me home with, through "piggyback" tubing between the breast and the collection bulb. Gross and painful today :/
January 8, 2013
It bothers but does the work.! In a few days it will be out and inflammation gone. Patience...
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