I Thought I Wanted an Explant. Here’s What Changed.
A very personal journal entry about a decision that took me years to make. An honest look at the decision behind my breast lift and implant exchange after 14 years with implants.
Why I’m Sharing This
There are thousands of videos and blog posts about getting breast implants. Most of them tell you what happened. I wanted to tell you how it felt.
There are a lot fewer conversations about what happens 10, 15, or even 20 years later.
Do you remove them? Replace them? Get a lift? Leave everything alone?
I spent countless hours reading other women’s stories because I wanted to hear from someone who had actually been in my shoes—not just a list of medical facts.
So this isn’t meant to be an educational guide or medical advice. It’s simply my story, the thoughts that went through my head, and how I ultimately made my decision.
If you’re here because you’re considering something similar, I hope this makes you feel a little less alone.
Disclaimer: This post is simply my personal experience and the decisions I made with my surgeon. It is not medical advice. Every person’s body, goals, and medical situation are different. If you’re considering breast surgery, talk with a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon about what is best for you.
Why I Got Implants in the First Place
I was 24 years old when I got my original breast implants—about 14 years ago.
It was something I had been self-conscious about for a long time. I was a 34B, and in my mind, I just didn’t feel like I had fully grown into a woman.
I was newly engaged and wanted to wear a strapless wedding dress. Looking back now, I know I didn’t need implants to wear one. In fact, there was a beautiful dress I tried on that would’ve been perfect for my natural body.
Hindsight is 20/20, right? If I could go back, would I make the same decision? Probably not. But I also don’t regret the life I lived with them. We traveled the world together. I wore the bikinis. I felt confident. They were part of a really fun chapter of my life.
Motherhood Changed Everything
Then…life happened.
I had two beautiful little girls. I breastfed both of them.
My weight changed more times than I can count—going from around 130 pounds to 190, back down to 145, up over 200, and eventually settling around 150 again.
Our bodies tell the story of our lives. Mine definitely did.
Having daughters also changed the way I thought about my implants. I didn’t want my girls to ever feel like they were somehow “less than” if they didn’t naturally grow the same size chest I had after surgery. It also made me think long-term.
My implants were about 14 years old, and during my consultations we talked about the fact that implants aren’t considered lifetime devices. Many women eventually choose—or need—to have another surgery because their bodies change, their implants age, or their goals change.
That started a conversation I had honestly been avoiding for years.
I Thought I Wanted an Explant
For a long time, I was completely convinced I wanted my implants removed.
Like many women, I came across stories online about Breast Implant Illness. Some of those stories were incredibly emotional and honestly a little scary. I brought all of those concerns to my surgeon.
We talked through my health history, my symptoms, and my bloodwork. He explained that while some patients truly do feel significantly better after implant removal, symptoms like fatigue or brain fog can also have many possible causes. We made the decision based on my health—not someone else’s experience on the internet.
At the time, I also had a two-year-old who still wanted to be carried everywhere. Then my surgeon reminded me… “No lifting more than 10 pounds for six weeks.” Well… That wasn’t happening. So I waited.
The Appointment That Changed My Mind
Fast forward a couple of years. Sadie was older. Life felt calmer. I was in the best shape I’d been in for years. I walked into my consultation still completely expecting to schedule an explant. Instead, I left with an entirely different plan.
After examining me, my surgeon explained that an explant with a lift was certainly possible…
…but because of breastfeeding, weight changes, and having implants for so many years, I simply didn’t have enough natural tissue left to create the look I hoped for.
He told me I would likely be around a B or small C cup…but very flat on top. That was honestly heartbreaking to hear. That was honestly heartbreaking to hear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that body—it just wasn’t the future I had pictured for myself.
He suggested another option—a much smaller implant combined with a breast lift. Something that would better match my frame while still giving the lift enough volume to create the shape I was hoping for. That conversation completely changed the direction I thought I was heading.
Trusting My Surgeon
This ended up being one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, because there isn’t a crystal ball. No one can tell you exactly what you’ll look like afterward. There are examples. There are before-and-afters. But at the end of the day, your body is unique.
I found myself going back and forth over and over between removing them completely or choosing a much smaller implant. Eventually I realized I had to trust the person I hired to guide me.
One of the reasons I chose my surgeon was because he didn’t simply tell me what I wanted to hear. He was honest. Sometimes brutally honest. And I appreciated that.
When I was researching surgeons, experience, board certification, reviews, and trust mattered most to me. Price wasn’t my deciding factor.
I actually traveled for my first surgery because I was looking for a deal. This time, I wanted someone local that I genuinely trusted. That peace of mind was worth every penny to me.
Choosing What Felt Right for Me
I know there will be people who think I should have removed them completely.
I know there will be people who think I should have kept my original implants.
The truth is… Neither of those people have to live in my body. I do.
The women who remove their implants and immediately feel completely at peace with their bodies… I genuinely love that for them. I honestly do. But I also know myself. I know how badly I wanted implants when I was younger. I know I’ve spent years feeling confident in them. And I know that if I had paid for surgery only to hate my results afterward, I would’ve struggled with that emotionally.
My youngest is almost five. I’m in the best shape of my life. Travel keeps getting easier for our family.
I still want to be the baddie. I don’t think that’s selfish. I actually think it’s healthy.
As moms, we’re constantly told to sacrifice pieces of ourselves for everyone else.
But I don’t think loving yourself takes anything away from loving your family.
If anything…I think it makes you a better version of yourself.
Preparing for Surgery
Even after making my decision, I still had about a million questions.
If you know me, this probably won’t surprise you. I had pages of notes. I asked ChatGPT dozens of questions.
I even had it help me come up with more questions to ask during my appointments because I tend to completely shut down in doctors’ offices. I process information slowly. I get nervous. Having everything written down helped me advocate for myself instead of walking out thinking… “Wait…I forgot to ask that.”
One of my biggest concerns was the surgery itself. A removal, implant exchange, and lift sounds like a lot. I assumed it would be a much longer surgery than my original augmentation. To my surprise, it was actually very similar. About an hour of pre-op. Roughly two hours in surgery. About an hour in recovery.
The nurse also reassured me that recovery is often smoother for women having an implant exchange than it is the very first time because your body has already been through the process before. Hearing that definitely helped calm some of my nerves. I’m still nervous. But I’m also really excited.
What’s Next
By the time you’re reading this, surgery day is either right around the corner…or already behind me. Either way, I wanted to document this season honestly.
I remember searching for someone willing to talk honestly about what this decision actually felt like. If that’s you…I’m glad you found this little corner of the internet.
I’ll be documenting the entire process—from surgery day to recovery, getting back in the gym, and everything in between—in my 🤍 Downsizing Diaries series on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Those videos will probably be a lot less polished and a lot more real. Exactly how I want to remember this chapter. Thank you for being here and following along.
Love y’all. 🤍
My Other Diary Entries
I share a lot of recipes, travel guides, and practical tips here on Sweets With Jules, but every now and then I like to share a little more of me, too.
Earlier I mentioned how much my body changed after having two girls and the ups and downs of losing and maintaining my weight. I documented that entire season in my Muscle Mommy Diaries series.
If you’re new here or want to catch up, here are a few of my favorite posts: