Following up one month after breast implant removal, or explanting. I just had my second check-up and everything looks good, and I am cleared for exercise. I can’t believe how fast the recovery went!

I also got to see photos of the implants after the removal and the capsules. I even got to see video of them cutting open the left side capsule and the implant sliding out. The capsule around a breast implant is a layer of scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant after it is placed in the body. This capsule is the body’s way of isolating the implant, treating it as a foreign object.

My right side had a lot of scar tissue and capsular contracture, and that capsule was in shreds, but they did get it all out! I’m happy all that is out of my body.

One Month Post-Explant

At one month after breast implant removal, most of my bruising has gone away but there’s still a bit or soreness. I had a couple of stitches sticking out, and those have gone away. I’ve graduated to slathering on scar gel every day and night, and finally gotten used to touching and massaging the scars.

I almost have full range of motion on my arms, but some movements still pull a bit. I am cleared to lift things, just nothing extra heavy.

I am honestly surprised how much I really love the results! If you are considering an explant, I highly recommend getting a lift as well. I really think that made all the difference. Yes, there are more stitches and scars involved, but scars fade!

Some doctors recommend waiting because after a few months post-explant, the breasts are supposed to “fluff” back up on their own. I’ve even heard it called getting “a visit from the fluffing fairy.” LOL

But there’s no way I would want to subject myself to another round of such invasive surgery. I asked my surgeon if he recommended a lift and he said yes, so I went with it. He’s the expert and his advice was spot-on.

Breast Implant Illness

A lot of women get their breast implants removed because they feel they have Breast Implant Illness (BII), which can be a whole range of symptoms. While BII is not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, it is a condition reported by many women with breast implants who experience symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cognitive difficulties (often referred to as “brain fog”), headaches, hair loss, and other health issues. Some women also report experiencing anxiety, depression, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal problems.

The exact cause of BII is not fully understood, and the symptoms vary widely between individuals. Some experts believe that BII may be related to an immune response to the breast implants, either due to the body reacting to the implant materials or as a result of an inflammatory response. Silicone, saline, and other types of breast implants have all been associated with reports of BII.

While BII wasn’t one of my reasons for removing my implants, I am now wondering if I actually was suffering from it unknowingly. Shortly after I got implants, I moved from CA to FL. After the move, I noticed I was stuffed up and had terrible allergies all the time. I haven’t been able to breathe through my nose for 20 years!

Two weeks after the explant surgery, my nose cleared up. I checked the pollen count, and it was high, so normally I’d be miserable without my Allegra-D and Flonase. But I haven’t needed it at all! I’m wondering that was my body constantly reacting to the implants with an inflammatory response.

Returning to Normal

I’m very excited that I am cleared for swimming, and I get to go in the pool today for the first time in a month. I’ll be trying on my bikini tops later today, so that should be interesting. I’ve actually found that most of my tops still fit me, I’m just not spilling out of them.

I am so happy to have this done and be moving forward! I feel great and am ready to head in my 50s healthier and happier with my body than I’ve been in a while.

About the Author

Candy Keane is a digital content creator and long-time cosplayer, most well-known for being on the cover of the Star Wars documentary Jedi Junkies. After making costumes professionally for over a decade, she now writes about about geek culture and mom life, and continues to cosplay for fun, while sharing her love of costumes on Instagram @SewGeekMama. Her first children’s book, I’m Going to My First Comic Convention, was published in 2020 and won a Story Monsters Approved award for Excellence in Literature.

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