Coral's Story by Coral BREAKUP - "My self esteem went down the drain" From ages 17 to 24, the thought of getting breast implants crossed my mind a couple of times, but I never thought I would eventually do it. I had very small breasts but I had a cute figure so the fact that I was barely filling an A cup wasn’t that big of a deal. But at 24, after being together 6 years, my boyfriend and I broke up. The following months were very difficult and my self-esteem went down the drain. I lost a lot of weight and lost the little breast tissue I had. Gaining a couple of pounds would have solved the problem, but I thought "hey, why not get implants?" I was single, so the timing was perfect. I had never talked about getting implants with my boyfriend. I was too embarassed. Now was the time. At 24, I got a loan and finally bought myself breasts! Coral with nicely done BA, but still not feeling like "her". Coral, front and side view with her implants "The truth is, I didn’t even like my breasts anymore. I felt fat and I thought my breasts were huge. I had quit doing all the things I loved - flamenco dancing and capoeira, by fear of a rupture and also because I thought I looked SO ridiculous. I was hiding under layers of clothes and was tired of lying, " The surgery went very well and I was back to work 3 days later. I was pleased with my new figure. I remember trying on my old bathing suit and thinking 'wow, I can fill the top!" They were not huge, (34B) and I thought I looked less pear-shaped. A year later, my ex-boyfriend and I came back together. We had been separated for over 2 years, so he was quite surprised by the "new" me. He had always liked my small breasts, so he didn’t really understand why I got implants, but he respected my choice. ...having a dull pain in my left armpit Last year, at 27, I started having a dull pain in my left armpit, so I began searching on the internet. That’s when I came across (what I call) the "scary websites". I had a panic attack. I had never heard about these complications. Sure, my PS had told me about capsular contracture and the risks associated with surgery, but I didn’t know about fybromyalgia, MS, fungus in the saline solution, etc. I totally panicked. "Stress can ruin your health" The following weeks were horrible: I was so dizzy I couldn’t go out, I had trouble with my vision and my heart was racing. I finally decided to go back to Montreal to see a doctor and it turned out it was anxiety. What a shock! I was having weird headaches and neck pains because I was contracting my shoulders so hard and I had to see my dentist because I had started grinding my teeth. I was now finding out how stress can ruin your health. I spent a week at my parent’s house and finally made the decision to get the implants out. The truth is, I didn’t even like my breasts anymore. I felt fat and I thought my breasts were huge. I had quit doing all the things I loved - flamenco dancing and capoeira, by fear of a rupture and also because I thought I looked SO ridiculous. I was hiding under layers of clothes and was tired of lying, so I made an appointment with my original P/S and went for a consult with my list of questions. " I was sure I wanted them out, but I didn’t have the courage yet to go forward." He was very nice, although very surprised by my decision. He told me he rarely saw women my age who wanted to explant and he agreed to do it for free, only charging me the operating room fees. "You’re the one who has to live with them and if you’re not happy anymore, what’s the point of keeping them?" I didn’t schedule the surgery that day because I wanted to take more time. I was sure I wanted them out, but I didn’t have the courage yet to go forward. "I couldn’t believe what I had done to myself" A couple of weeks later, a neighbor called me from work to ask me to go check on her dog. I got into her apartment, played with the dog a little and then noticed a photo album on her table. Of course I took a look at it ;) There were a couple of pictures of her native Venezuela and one picture of her, topless in the water. She had the exact same breasts I had pre-BA. I almost cried. I felt horrible because I couldn’t believe what I had done to myself. I called my surgeon’s office the same day to schedule my surgery. Explanted I got explanted Feb 4th, under local anesthesia. The P/S chose to leave the capsules in, since they were pretty thin. The surgery went smoothly and only took 25 minutes! I was a little groggy from the Demerol shot they gave me, but I was conscious during the whole procedure. It was an interesting experience. I was really scared of the outcome, but my breasts looked pretty good after only a week. What a relief! I don't miss implants at all... I don’t miss my 34B's- not at all! Yes, I’m small, but I’m ME again and I think that I look so much better without the water bags. Cora, immediately after explantation Side view immediately after explantation Coral, nicely "fluffing" at 3 weeks post, side view Coral, frontal, 3 weeks post and beautifully natural! Sadly, I never would have realized that without getting implants. I will try to see my scars as a reminder. Crease Scar from implants-"I will try to see my scars as a reminder." I’m now 28, and I’m ready to go on with my life. Coral coralmara@yahoo.com