The Dark Side of Breast Implants: Why I Ditched the Drama for a Flatter Life
For 22 years, I've been shouldering around with two bags of saline water on my chest – a secret I only shared with a handful of close friends. It was a weighty burden, and one that I'm glad to be free from.
As an outdoorsy mountain runner, I've always sought to live life naturally. But having breast implants ran counter to that vision. They were a symbol of a beauty standard that felt suffocating – thin body, round fuller breasts. The problem was, my little A-cups had shrunk back down after breastfeeding, leaving me with a flat chest that made me view myself as tough and unappealing.
Growing up, I was conditioned to value the appearance of well-shaped breasts in order to please men. My mom used to test her own breast tissue by placing a pencil under them, while my dad kept his spare change in a ceramic mug shaped like a woman's naked upturned breast. It was no wonder that after puberty hit, I worried about my small chest and padded my bras.
At 34, I was struggling with low self-confidence as a stay-at-home mom with a shelved career. I turned to implants as a way to redeem myself in my marriage and please the man I loved at the time. But it was a mistake. The implants didn't bring me happiness; they created a burden that I carried for years.
Now, at 56, I've had them removed – explant surgery without replacement. It's been liberating, but not without its challenges. My body feels wonderfully aerodynamic when I run or work out, and going braless is as freeing as unbuttoning a too-tight waistband.
But the journey to getting rid of my implants wasn't easy. The hardening capsular contracture made it uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach, and the surgery itself was expensive ($5,617). For two weeks after, I had plastic bulbs hanging from tubes exiting my ribcage to drain fluid – not exactly a glamorous look.
It's clear that more women are seeking explant surgery. The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that implant removal surgeries worldwide nearly doubled between 2017 and 2022. And it's not just about the physical benefits; many women choose explant because of breast implant illness (BII) – an array of symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, and autoimmune reactions.
Women like Jaime McDonald and Debbie Sironen are speaking out about their experiences with implants. McDonald got her implants at 19, only to find that they made her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. She eventually lost them after falling in love and marrying a woman who loved her for who she was.
Sironen had her implants removed after divorcing an ex-husband who wanted her to get them. Now, she says she has no regrets – "I like the way I am now, although sometimes I feel self-conscious." She's learned to buy prosthetic forms to give the appearance of small breasts filling an A-cup, but she's confident in being herself.
For me, getting rid of my implants was a wake-up call. It forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and focus on what truly matters – health, happiness, and self-acceptance. I'm letting go of caring about being attractive in the eyes of others and embracing my natural flat chest. And it's freeing.
As more women choose to ditch their implants, they're joining a growing movement towards acceptance and self-love. It's time to redefine beauty standards that prioritize youth and size over health and happiness. By shedding our insecurities and embracing our unique bodies, we can become stronger, wiser, and more radiant versions of ourselves – without the need for artificial enhancements.
For 22 years, I've been shouldering around with two bags of saline water on my chest – a secret I only shared with a handful of close friends. It was a weighty burden, and one that I'm glad to be free from.
As an outdoorsy mountain runner, I've always sought to live life naturally. But having breast implants ran counter to that vision. They were a symbol of a beauty standard that felt suffocating – thin body, round fuller breasts. The problem was, my little A-cups had shrunk back down after breastfeeding, leaving me with a flat chest that made me view myself as tough and unappealing.
Growing up, I was conditioned to value the appearance of well-shaped breasts in order to please men. My mom used to test her own breast tissue by placing a pencil under them, while my dad kept his spare change in a ceramic mug shaped like a woman's naked upturned breast. It was no wonder that after puberty hit, I worried about my small chest and padded my bras.
At 34, I was struggling with low self-confidence as a stay-at-home mom with a shelved career. I turned to implants as a way to redeem myself in my marriage and please the man I loved at the time. But it was a mistake. The implants didn't bring me happiness; they created a burden that I carried for years.
Now, at 56, I've had them removed – explant surgery without replacement. It's been liberating, but not without its challenges. My body feels wonderfully aerodynamic when I run or work out, and going braless is as freeing as unbuttoning a too-tight waistband.
But the journey to getting rid of my implants wasn't easy. The hardening capsular contracture made it uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach, and the surgery itself was expensive ($5,617). For two weeks after, I had plastic bulbs hanging from tubes exiting my ribcage to drain fluid – not exactly a glamorous look.
It's clear that more women are seeking explant surgery. The International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that implant removal surgeries worldwide nearly doubled between 2017 and 2022. And it's not just about the physical benefits; many women choose explant because of breast implant illness (BII) – an array of symptoms such as joint pain, rashes, and autoimmune reactions.
Women like Jaime McDonald and Debbie Sironen are speaking out about their experiences with implants. McDonald got her implants at 19, only to find that they made her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. She eventually lost them after falling in love and marrying a woman who loved her for who she was.
Sironen had her implants removed after divorcing an ex-husband who wanted her to get them. Now, she says she has no regrets – "I like the way I am now, although sometimes I feel self-conscious." She's learned to buy prosthetic forms to give the appearance of small breasts filling an A-cup, but she's confident in being herself.
For me, getting rid of my implants was a wake-up call. It forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and focus on what truly matters – health, happiness, and self-acceptance. I'm letting go of caring about being attractive in the eyes of others and embracing my natural flat chest. And it's freeing.
As more women choose to ditch their implants, they're joining a growing movement towards acceptance and self-love. It's time to redefine beauty standards that prioritize youth and size over health and happiness. By shedding our insecurities and embracing our unique bodies, we can become stronger, wiser, and more radiant versions of ourselves – without the need for artificial enhancements.
! It's like, why let society dictate our self-worth? I mean, I've always been a natural girl myself, but my friends who got implants were stuck in that whole "beachy" body ideal 
. Now they're all about embracing their bodies and ditching the drama 
. It's so inspiring to see women like Jaime and Debbie rocking their own unique style without feeling pressured by others. And you know what? I think it's about time we redefine beauty standards that prioritize health, happiness, and self-love 
. No more plastic surgery for the sake of conformity! We should be celebrating our individuality and uniqueness 
.
for taking control of her body and choosing to ditch the implants that were holding her back! 
) but it was worth it for her freedom and confidence boost 
and it's awesome to see Jaime McDonald and Debbie Sironen sharing their stories and being confident in who they are 
now let's keep spreading the message of self-love and acceptance 
. All these women are coming out with their implants because they're being told to by society, but now they're ditching them and finding themselves... it's like a mass awakening! 
And what about the companies that make those implants? They're probably losing money left and right because people are finally seeing through the hype. It's all about the money, honey 
. But seriously though, I'm glad these women are speaking out and reclaiming their bodies. We need to focus on self-love and acceptance over trying to fit into someone else's idea of beauty 
it's amazing to see people finally breaking free from the societal pressure of having perfect bodies 
at last they're talking about self-love and acceptance, not just physical appearance 
we need more of this kind of vibe in our society 
. And let's be real, who needs artificial enhancements when we've got our natural bodies and all they have to offer?