Going Flat: Why I Ditched My Breast Implants for Good
For 22 years, I hid my imperfections behind bags of saline water on my chest - a habit I only shared with a handful of close friends. Now, at 56, I'm embracing my natural shape and ditching the implants that once made me feel like I was living a lie.
My journey began when I had breast implants in 2004, during a tumultuous time in my life. I wanted to change my body image, seeking a more "womanly" figure that would make others notice me. The younger me didn't know about the risks and complications of implant surgery, nor did she consider the long-term consequences on her health.
Over the years, I experienced capsular contracture, a condition where the scar tissue surrounding the implants hardens and thickens. This made it uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach and led to a doctor's recommendation for replacement. But as I approached middle age, something shifted inside me. I began to question the beauty standard that had driven my decision in the first place.
The world of breast implant removal has exploded in recent years, with demand surging by nearly 50% between 2017 and 2022. Women from all walks of life are ditching their implants for good, citing a range of reasons - from perceived health risks to simply feeling like they don't fit the mold anymore.
I'm not alone in my decision. Friends like Sarah Lavender Smith, a Colorado-based writer who specializes in midlife adventures and older athletes, have also chosen to go flat. Her story resonates with mine: "Don't do it unless you really want to look different," she advises young women considering implants. "Be happy your body works and can run, hike, work out or whatever, and just stay healthy - that's the most important thing."
The trend towards a more natural aesthetic is gaining momentum. Plastic surgeons are reporting an increase in explant surgeries, where implants are removed without replacement. The procedure has its risks, but for many women, it offers a chance to break free from the constraints of societal beauty standards.
It's not easy, of course. When I feel self-conscious about my chest, I remind myself how much better I feel without the implants. My body feels aerodynamic when I run or work out, and going braless is liberating. As I age, it's becoming easier to let go of caring what others think.
Seeing women like Kelly Ridgway-Smith, who chose not to get implants after a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer, gives me the confidence to be myself. "I have absolutely no regrets" about her decision, she says. "We don't need that to be a full woman."
For now, neither of us is using prosthetic forms to give the appearance of small breasts filling an A-cup. We're getting more confident being who we are, embracing our natural shapes and ditching the notion that we need to conform to someone else's ideal.
It's time for me to own my imperfections and celebrate what makes me unique. As I walk with shoulders back and smile at myself in the mirror, I know that going flat was the best decision I ever made.
For 22 years, I hid my imperfections behind bags of saline water on my chest - a habit I only shared with a handful of close friends. Now, at 56, I'm embracing my natural shape and ditching the implants that once made me feel like I was living a lie.
My journey began when I had breast implants in 2004, during a tumultuous time in my life. I wanted to change my body image, seeking a more "womanly" figure that would make others notice me. The younger me didn't know about the risks and complications of implant surgery, nor did she consider the long-term consequences on her health.
Over the years, I experienced capsular contracture, a condition where the scar tissue surrounding the implants hardens and thickens. This made it uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach and led to a doctor's recommendation for replacement. But as I approached middle age, something shifted inside me. I began to question the beauty standard that had driven my decision in the first place.
The world of breast implant removal has exploded in recent years, with demand surging by nearly 50% between 2017 and 2022. Women from all walks of life are ditching their implants for good, citing a range of reasons - from perceived health risks to simply feeling like they don't fit the mold anymore.
I'm not alone in my decision. Friends like Sarah Lavender Smith, a Colorado-based writer who specializes in midlife adventures and older athletes, have also chosen to go flat. Her story resonates with mine: "Don't do it unless you really want to look different," she advises young women considering implants. "Be happy your body works and can run, hike, work out or whatever, and just stay healthy - that's the most important thing."
The trend towards a more natural aesthetic is gaining momentum. Plastic surgeons are reporting an increase in explant surgeries, where implants are removed without replacement. The procedure has its risks, but for many women, it offers a chance to break free from the constraints of societal beauty standards.
It's not easy, of course. When I feel self-conscious about my chest, I remind myself how much better I feel without the implants. My body feels aerodynamic when I run or work out, and going braless is liberating. As I age, it's becoming easier to let go of caring what others think.
Seeing women like Kelly Ridgway-Smith, who chose not to get implants after a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer, gives me the confidence to be myself. "I have absolutely no regrets" about her decision, she says. "We don't need that to be a full woman."
For now, neither of us is using prosthetic forms to give the appearance of small breasts filling an A-cup. We're getting more confident being who we are, embracing our natural shapes and ditching the notion that we need to conform to someone else's ideal.
It's time for me to own my imperfections and celebrate what makes me unique. As I walk with shoulders back and smile at myself in the mirror, I know that going flat was the best decision I ever made.
I think its amazing how many women are ditching their implants now and embracing their natural beauty 
! Me too, after years of feeling like I needed to hide my shape 
, I just let go and now feel so much more confident 
. Its not about the number on your cup size, its about being happy with who you are 
! We should all be celebrating our unique shapes and sizes 
. It's crazy how many women are ditching their implants for good 
. I mean, who needs fake breasts when you can rock your own body? 
.
: "Be happy your body works..." 
. We should all celebrate what makes us unique and special 
. It's time to break free from societal beauty standards and own our imperfections 
.
. Who's with me? 
. Now that so many women are talking about it, I think it's awesome 
. The fact that more and more women are choosing to go flat (no implants) is super empowering 
. I mean, who needs artificial stuff when you've got a body that's amazing just the way it is? 
honestly i think its really inspiring to see ppl embracing their natural body shapes 
and the fact that more & more women r choosing explant surgeries is a good sign 
like, isn't there something more fulfilling than feeling confident in your own skin? also, 22 years on implants is a whole lot of time, hope those bags of saline water were worth it 
. anyway, it's great to see women embracing their natural shapes and ditching the pressure to conform
But it takes guts to finally break free and say, "You know what? I'm done with that." 
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are breeding grounds for these unattainable ideals, and it's time for us to take responsibility for promoting positivity and self-acceptance over perfectionism.