No Longer Concerned About Explanted Look After 24 Years-Still Looking Good! - Virginia, VA

I have been reading the posts on this site for about a six weeks since I found it. The stories have been helpful and encouraging. The pictures have been very helpful. Most look great post op. I am hoping they are a good sampling of post implant looks, and not just the best case sennarioes.

I got my first set of implants at approximately age 31. That was 24 years ago. Soon after they did develop "scar" tissue that my PS did a closed compression of the breasts to reduce the scar. They continued to develop, what I later learned, capsular contractions. (This was all before internet capabilities!) I knew the breasts were not "normal" looking but always thought that was "normal" for implants. Five to six years ago I developed basal cell carcinoma on my breast, which my dermatologist sent me to my PS to remove. I think secretly she sent me to him as she knew I needed looked at. He immediately knew I had implants which he recommended I change out. He felt I would not be happy with permanent removal. So I did. And I have had three capsulotomies and one capsulectomy since. Now the right one is contracting again and it just makes me mad. It will not get better. I know that. And I do not want another procedure to release it in a few months only to have it recur again in a year. I am tired of it. And I am tired of hugging my adult children and feeling a firm ball there, as well as bouncing when the golf cart goes over roots, etc., etc., etc.

I met with my plastic surgeon a couple weeks ago and the first thing he said was "so you want to be flat and flabby". Does anyone WANT to be flat and flabby? He is not very supportive. I think he is accustomed to making women look better through PS, not possibly worse.

My husband is very supportive. He knows I have been thinking about this for years. He is also a physician and has seen many, many breasts of many shapes and sizes.

I was a barely 32-A pre-implants. I have gained 20-25 lbs through the years and I am 55 yrs old. I am so hoping I don't look horrible afterwards.Many women on this site are 20's to early 40. Not as old as me. I am having capsulectomy as well. He did not recommend a lift at the same time as blood supply could be compromised due to capsules needing removed. I want mammograms to be as accurate as possible, and I don't think they have been with implants and capsulular contractions.

I have been shopping for bras and am hopeful that something will fit me and actually make me look fuller than I may become. My children do not know I have these. They went in when they were 5 and 6 years old.
So, Thursday is my day, and I can't wait to get it over with! I may not look at them for days. Tempted to cover all mirrors. And I may not let my husband see for a while. Can't wait to stop feeling self conscious about these implants. Guess I will be changing direction and feeling self conscious about my new small size for a while. Seems all I do is hide my chest!! :)
Will attempt to post pictures. Thanks to all previous posters for your helpful information.

I have been looking for pictures for weeks and am having difficulty finding where everyone's implants were placed in relation to how they look explanted. So as an FYI: mine are above the muscle. So we will see!

Hi All. Thanks for all the well wishes. Surgery was today and all went well. He did not remove capsules after all. Said they were thin and didn't need to come out. I actually had thicker capsules removed 5 yrs ago when I had the original pair changed out. I do have drains which will come out Tuesday. I feel fine, no pain. Not even sleepy. Been watching tv all day with my husband. Perhaps not sleepy b/c we went to Starbucks to get me a pumpkin latte? My treat for me! Hugs to all and best wishes to my fellow explanters who have surgeries coming up tomorrow and in a couple of weeks.