Hi everyone, I am looking for some advice. In Jan 2009 I had silicone implants put in through the areole and under the muscle (smooth round moderate plus 325ccs) by one of the better ba surgeons in Miami. Prior to the surgery, I was a B and although I was okay with the size, my main motivation for the surgery was because I was self-conscious as I felt that at 30, they were not very firm and maybe a little saggy for my age (years later, I've come to the realization that few natural breasts are). So I decided on a full C to add some fullness. Above all, I stressed to the Dr. that I wanted them to look natural so that the implants would not be obvious (and only a subtle improvement). I finally decided to go ahead with the surgery because the Dr. convinced me that they would in fact look natural. Following the surgery, I was immediately unhappy because, although a good outcome but for the indented scar on the left breast, from most angles they don't look entirely natural (especially lying down where they look like mountains..here are some before and afters: http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view ... 6855970126).

I thought that I would give them a few years to settle in, but I still haven't learned to accept them and am afraid of meeting a guy I really like only to find out he doesn't like the unnatural look (the type of guy I'm attracted to would probably not be okay with it).

Over 3 years later, I'm now considering a few options, either to have them completely removed or to have smaller lower profile (either moderate or low profile) implants put in. If I were to have them completely removed, will my breasts look the same as before surgery (but for the scars) or will they be saggier, stretched out and lumpy? Other than removing the implants, do Drs typically perform other internal procedures to minimize the sagginess (for example, I read that some Drs reconstruct them internally, whatever that means).

If I decide to have smaller lower profile implants put in, will they look completely natural, even when I'm lying down, so that unless I were to tell someone, they wouldn't know they were fake? Who are some good Drs. for removing/replacing implants (for a natural result) and approx. how much does it cost? Are there any other options I haven't considered (I'm surprised that in 2012 there are still no other viable options than hard unnatural looking breasts..)

Many thanks!
Alexi

Hi Alexi, Have you thought about just getting a breast lift with auto augmentation? If you were satisfied with the size your breasts were before you had the implants, but just hated them being saggy and feeling less firm, it could be an option. I'ma 38 C and mine sag, badly. When I lie down one goes east and one goeswest and the whole middle of my chest is a wide, flat space. I'm getting mine lifted here in Lakeland, Florida on June 8th with auto augmentation. It's where the PS does an uplift, but also uses some of your own skin to make a kind of internal bra sling to hold up your tissue. Kind of like an internal push up bra. Your tissue is arranged and reshaped in a visually pleasing way and then lifted with the sling,
( internal bra), to make them look a litle higher and fuller then a regular breast lift alone would give. Not as full as implants would give, as most natural breast don't really have that kind of fullness, but fuller then a traditonal lift would give. I know a couple women on here who had it and they look like they had small implants, only very natural. That's what I want. My PS will be Dr. Ferguson, but I heard really good things about Dr. Bernard Shuster in Hollywood, FL as being very experienced with the auto augmentation,( inner bra breast lift). He quoted me $ 7.000. I couldnt find any negative reviws about him. Dr Fergusen's fee will be $ 5.050.00 and I really liked his before and afters too. He's here in town vs. travelling five hours. You would want a PS who really knows how to do them well. Some are only really good at doing implants and not so good at trying to reshape what you already have to look their best. Implants alone usually do not take care of sagging breasts. I don't know if you would have sagging after the implants have been removed, but if they were sagging before you got them, and you didn't get a lift at the time too, then they would probably still sag. Or you might just want to change implants or a different PS who can make them look more natural.

P.S I am unable to view your before and after photos. It says I must join inorder to view photos.

If you remove your implants or put a smaller size for sure they will be saggier as the skin is stretched by the implants you have.

Hiya,
I'm not sure what yours look like currently because the photo link doesn't work. I've never seen a silicone implant that looked totally natural lying down. LP would probably look better but they still won't "pan" out quite the way natural breasts do. Saline will pan quite a bit more though so long as it isn't overfilled. You might consider replacing with that instead.

If you have any fat to spare you might also consider getting fat grafts. For someone that is super concerned with natural appearance in every position at all times, then that would certainly be a good reason to lean that direction. However they will look just that, natural. Fat grafts don't provide any lift or shape, just fullness. You might be a great candidate for it given that after the removal you'll have space to spare. One of the problems with grafts is that they sometimes don't survive because of not having enough space.

I'm curious about one thing though. I've had three different surgeons tell me that periareolar and silicon weren't possible because the hole just wouldn't be large enough. Granted mine aren't that large, so maybe that was the issue. Do you have particularly large ones such that the surgeon was able to insert a gel implant, or did he have to also make a vertical incision under the areola to permit it to fit in?

I can't believe that you were able three years with unnatural-looking breasts! Dear, if you are unhappy with your breasts, you should have it re-done. I think that you should consider all your options before settling with the surgery. Honestly, I am also so unhappy with my breasts because I think that it's the smallest boobs in the world (I'm kinda embarrassed to say my size here) and for years, I have been contemplating on having a surgery done. I'm just a little apprehensive about how it will turn out because my friends always knew that I have small breasts. I am looking for the best but affordable plastic surgeon in our country (I'm from the Philippines btw) and so far, I've already talked to Dr. Magallona of http://philippinecosmeticplasticsurgery.com/. Our conversations look very promising and all I have to do now is save up for it!

Thank you everyone for your responses! It means a lot. It's now been almost a year--to the date--that I wrote this first message. And I still have not gotten revision/explant surgery, mostly because I'm soo afraid. I am really unhappy with them though, and really, as self-conscious as I was before the implants, for different reasons. I am finally ready to have them taken out though, altogether or possibly replaced. If I were to have them replaced, is there another option that would look completely natural from all angles? Saline was recommended but do saline breasts really look and feel completely natural, sitting up and lying down? Fat grafting was also mentioned but I've heard that doesn't last and that the fat often dissolves over time. How likely is this? And in the event that I have them completely taken out and not replaced, what should I expect (sagginess etc)? Could anyone recommend a Dr. who has expertise in breast implant removal and internal lifting? Has anyone undergone any of these procedures? I would be extremely grateful for any info and feedback because I'm really so scared to make another bad decision but also know that I can't continue to live with these implants.

Hello Alexis , I'm sorry you've been so unhappy with the implants . I wasn't able to view your pictures so I have no clue how your implants look.
I had explant surgery exactly one year ago not because my implants looked bad , as a matter of fact they looked awesome . I never even imagined I would like bigger breast but I was thrilled . I had my removed due to extreme pain and illness from the implants . I did not have implants put back in .
To answer your question I was a flat A cup , my breast looked like snoopy's snout no like . So I also was afraid that once I had the explant done my breast would sag and look worse . Well the first couple week omg did I cry saying I'd rather be sick and in pain . A month later they slowly began to look normal again . I don't know why I had no lift with them they look like they did before only higher .
My scars are under my breast so you can't see them at all . But you have to remember you have to be happy and healthy . It's what you want , and what makes you happy . Men are hum a pain in the bleep at times , yadda yadda . But men are amazingly adapting to I love you just the way you are no matter what . Yes men see visual but men also want a happy healthy mate . So take care of yourself and do what feels right . Don't worry about what a man would think .
Good luck on your decision .