It was a brisk October day, and I found myself feeling unwell, just as I had for the previous six months. I woke up with stiff, painful, and swollen joints in my fingers and toes. My eyes felt parched, despite using the best prescription moisturizing drops available. Even after a full night’s sleep, I spent the entire day struggling to move from one task to another, going through the motions of daily life: helping my kids with remote learning, preparing meals, and writing. I was taking my daily blood thinner due to a blood clot discovered during a recent emergency room visit. My family noticed I often started sentences only to forget what I was saying halfway through. I feared I might have breast cancer again, but a checkup confirmed that wasn’t the case.
I knew something needed to change. Despite my efforts to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and get adequate rest, I felt like a walking zombie. I had exhausted all avenues to feel better, spending thousands on physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, consultations with a dietitian, and numerous lab tests and scans. Yet I still didn’t have the answers. The only option I hadn’t explored was the removal of my breast implants. While I had seen many celebrities choose this path, I wondered if it would be the right decision for me.
Three years prior, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer after noticing a painful lump. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy, and during the same surgery, I had the opportunity for direct-to-implant reconstruction. This meant that my breast tissue was removed and replaced with implants in one go. I went to sleep with my natural breasts and woke up with beautiful, symmetrical D-cup prosthetics (or “foobs,” as some in the breast cancer community affectionately call them).
The implants were never particularly comfortable, and my right shoulder constantly felt on fire. An MRI showed no issues, and I experienced two bouts of intercostal muscle strain, which is painfully slow to heal. Two extensive and costly rounds of physical therapy provided only temporary relief. I carried a muscle-cooling roll-on everywhere, desperate for some comfort.
Though my implants looked fantastic, I often joked that I’d be the hottest grandma at the nursing home someday. The pain was significant, but I thought maybe I just needed to incorporate more yoga into my routine. However, when I began experiencing increasingly debilitating symptoms, I realized it was time to do some serious research. After just a few days in a breast implant illness support group online, I discovered that to find genuine, lasting relief, I needed to remove the implants and embrace a flat-chested life.
I scheduled my surgery for a complete capsulectomy and implant removal, also known as explant surgery, and continued my research. I read countless testimonials from women who described feeling as if they were on the brink of death before their explant procedures. Their before-and-after photos were compelling and genuine—they had no vested interest in promoting explantation. I found their stories believable.
I discovered I wasn’t alone in this journey. Dr. Mark Harrison, a board-certified plastic surgeon and chief of plastic surgery at Sunshine Medical Center in Miami, has helped many patients, including well-known figures like Sophia Turner, with their implant removals. After nearly two decades in private practice, he has gained recognition for his ability to safely and effectively remove breast implants and restore his patients’ health and vitality.
Three years ago, Dr. Harrison made a pivotal decision to stop performing breast augmentation surgeries, recognizing the need to specialize in explant procedures. He noted that his patients often experience significant positive changes post-surgery, making this shift in focus an obvious choice.
While Breast Implant Illness (BII) is not an officially recognized medical diagnosis, many women assert that their symptoms are indeed linked to their implants. The evidence is often clear: once the implants are removed, a majority of patients report substantial relief. Dr. Harrison noted that “85-90% of my patients indicate that their health issues improve after explanting.” Yes, you read that right—85-90%.
Not all women choose to explant due to BII. Some, according to Dr. Harrison, do so because their implants feel too large. I learned that women with breast implants can suffer from back, shoulder, and rib pain, headaches, and even implant ruptures, leading to chronic discomfort. Fortunately, there are options; some women also opt for breast lifts, fat transfers, or other procedures to enhance their natural breast shape after explanting.
If someone decides to have their implants removed, it’s crucial to choose the right surgeon for the procedure. Dr. Harrison advises that potential patients research their surgeons thoroughly, read reviews, and talk to previous patients. I believe it’s vital that the surgeon listens to and validates the patient’s concerns about their symptoms, even if BII is not an officially recognized condition. That’s why physicians like Dr. Harrison are becoming heroes to women like me who have endured illness due to their implants. We seek relief and want to be believed when we share our struggles.
It’s been nearly six weeks since my explant surgery, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement, starting with reduced inflammation. I posted a side-by-side comparison of my before-and-after appearance on social media, showcasing how different my face looks now that my implants are gone. While my experience is just one among many, Dr. Harrison’s social media is filled with other women who have undergone similar procedures and experienced remarkable recoveries.
My chronic rib and shoulder pain have vanished. Perhaps the most impressive change is the surge of energy I now have. I no longer wake up exhausted and struggling to get through the day. I can actively engage with my four kids, manage my job, exercise with enthusiasm, and I no longer rely on multiple cups of coffee to get through my day.
I am incredibly grateful for a doctor who listened to my concerns and helped me remove my implants. I am also inspired by the many women who bravely shared their experiences on social media to encourage others to explore their truths. I am reclaiming my life, rediscovering myself, and embracing my flat-chested freedom.
For more insights on health and wellness, check out this other blog post. For authoritative information on this topic, visit Intracervical Insemination and for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, check out the CDC’s pregnancy page.
Summary:
After experiencing debilitating health issues for months, I underwent explant surgery to remove my breast implants. Despite my initial concerns, the decision proved life-changing. Post-surgery, I found relief from chronic pain and a renewed sense of energy. Through research and shared experiences from other women, I learned that many find significant health improvements after explanting. This journey has empowered me to reclaim my health and well-being, and I encourage others facing similar struggles to consider their options.
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Explant surgery, Breast Implant Illness, health improvement, personal journey, women’s health, Dr. Mark Harrison, breast cancer recovery, wellness blog.