I am SO scared, SO sick of surgeries, and SO conflicted as to what to do

I would appreciate any support from women who have been through this. I am 52 years old, and had Saline Implants done in 2001. The following year, I had a larger sized implant put in, because I was SO small breasted (32a or less- the smallest a woman can possibly be,..) that there wasn't enough skin to even put much of an implant in. The second bilateral augmentation I was happy with,.. at least now I had a 'shape.' Well, 6 years later, the right implant ruptured. Then, 3 years after I had the right implant replaced, the left one went. I had that one replaced. Then, 4 years later, (last month,) the right implant went, again. Now, I am awaiting my surgery, which is scheduled for September 18th. The surgeon is telling me I should go to Silicone Gel, but I am not convinced of the safety, even tho the FDA has allowed them back onto the market. I am SO scared, SO sick of surgeries, and SO conflicted as to what to do. I have pretty much decided NOT to have two new Silicone Gel ones put in, even tho the Mfg is offering a 'discount' on the total price. So now my choice is either to just have them replace the right implant with another Saline to match the left side that I had replaced last June,.. ( and hope to get another 4 years or so out of both..?) or to just have them both explanted and be done and OVER with these darn surgeries. The financial strain on my husband and I has been horrible, and I know that the best decision financially for us, would be to just, finally, have them both taken out. I am concerned as to what on earth I will look like, and I am concerned about depression. But then again, what's more important- how I look and feel about my body,.. or my health and our financial stability? I have only a few more days to decide. Has anyone been through explantation? How do your breasts look afterwords? Is it horrible? Or do you get used to it over time. I hate padded bras,.. but I guess I'll have to go back to those and higher collared shirts, and be a little self concious... but it's not the worst thing in the world either, people certainly go through worse things. Still... I'll miss the confidence and positive body image the implants gave me. thank you for any advice, or shared experiences!

Submitted by Dell (not verified) on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 04:15.

In the 1980s, I saw a friend have implants in her early 30s. She was a petit and fit woman. Her cup size before the surgery would have been about a B-cup. She had silicone impants put in and the surgery seemed to go quite well, although her bust did look a little unaturally round, which was how a lot of implants looked in the 1980s. After about 10 to 15 years, she had them taken out after one of them ruptured. She was mamed. It did look quite terrible at first. They kind of looked like empty pockets.

After a few years of looking after her health, getting enough of the right fats into her diet, her body and her breasts are looking quite good again. They are probably back to the size she had in the first place, or maybe a little bigger due to a small amount of weight gain. It's a tough decision working out whether to keep replacing them or have them taken out. One would hope that the surgical techiques are much more advanced and better than they used to be in the 1980s and 90s. It would be an idea to request to see some pictures of women who have had them taken out, and then decide if you could live with that.

My friend is very happy she took them out. It was a shock at first having them out and she did go through some self esteem issues, but now she loves herself for who she is and her partner who urged her to have them removed, loves her for who she is too and tells her she is beautiful inside and out.

Submitted by Guest (not verified) on Tue, 10/30/2012 - 00:06.

I had mine out 2 days ago. I look like a freak and can't possibly stay like this and have no choice but to have more inplants. I was a small 32A before implants and a 32C with. I am now completely flat, with a massive indent at the top and melted look skin and nipples at the bottom.

Submitted by Guest barb kornbrath (not verified) on Thu, 11/01/2012 - 00:56.

Oh my, you poor thing. I'm not sure what lead you to an explant, but I too am considering it. I was a 34A before and 34C after. My first surgery was May 19, 2012. I had a 2nd surgery on July 19 to correct the bottoming out of my right breast. Now it appears that I have capsular contraction of the Left breast (to be seen tomorrow by my surgeon). I suspect he'll recommend the asthma medication Accolate for 1-3 months before surgery if it's a Phase II. I am sick with frustration, fear, and sadness....more surgery...more risks...I too am considering removing them, but know I will look like you have described. I am 52 years old..wanted them all my life...stopped exercising to prevent another bottoming out...and now this...just want my fit, healthy body back. I'm venting...may I ask why you removed yours?

Submitted by Guest Suzanne G (not verified) on Sat, 11/17/2012 - 10:59.

I've had my silicone implants for 30 years. I've never had problems with them until recently and I know that my right one is leaking. I was a 32A wanted to be a 34C, ended up a 34DD. Now a 38DD ... weight gain from thyroid.

I need to have them removed, but I want them replaced (smaller size). I'm terrified of how I'm going to look if I don't have them replaced at the time of removal, but i don't know if they will replace because of the leaking silicone. And I don't know what kind to get, I don't want silicone again. But, I never had any problems until six months ago. Mine have looked totally natural after the first six months I had them implanted. The doc wasn't even a plastic surgeon, I know where he is in Dallas but he won't return my phone calls.
I was told that they would be put behind my breast muscle, but I've never felt like they were behind anything but skin. The incisions are under my breast in the fold, and I'm hoping that new implants would be done the same way. It makes since to me that if they're replaced that way, the loose skin could be pulled and with smaller implants, I wouldn't have any sagging skin.
What to do???? I have insurance but I don't know if it will pay for it. I would think they will pay for the removal but not the replacement, does anyone know??? I'm 55 years old and want my breasts. I'll follow this forum and see what people say. Thanks for sharing.

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