Every day, I battled dry eyes that felt like sandpaper. After multiple visits to my optometrist, we finally found a ridiculously expensive eye drop that offered some relief. A few months later, I found myself at my general practitioner’s office, voicing concerns about persistent abdominal discomfort. Despite normal lab results, a scan revealed a common culprit: constipation. (Yikes.) I also faced ongoing urinary tract pain, which I tried to manage with cranberry supplements. My anxiety levels soared, accompanied by dizzy spells and sleepless nights. My libido vanished, leaving me feeling like a mere shell of myself.
In addition to these seemingly disconnected issues, I was plagued by shoulder pain that persisted despite numerous physical therapy sessions, chiropractic treatments, and endless gentle yoga. I invested in new pillows, committed to sleeping on my back, and incorporated daily stretching into my routine. While the discomfort would sometimes subside for a day, it always returned. An MRI showed no signs of damage, yet I endured a six-month ordeal with an intercostal muscle strain, ironically caused by too much stretching. Ice packs and heating pads became my constant companions.
Despite being diagnosed with various conditions—dry eye syndrome, constipation, and muscle strain—my health continued to deteriorate, even as I adhered strictly to my doctor’s recommendations. I experienced joint and muscle pain, overwhelming fatigue, and by 11 a.m., I would often need a nap, longing to be in bed by eight. My mornings were consumed by brain fog, heightened sensitivity to sound and light, and persistent ear ringing. Each day felt like a new ordeal, leading me into a spiral of depression—a mental health struggle I had never faced before. I genuinely believed I was dying, with no lifeline in sight.
The turning point came during a casual chat with a dental hygienist about her friend who had her implants removed due to health issues. It hit me like a ton of bricks: my silicone breast implants could be poisoning me. With no other plausible explanation for my myriad symptoms, I began to connect the dots.
While breast implant illness (BII) isn’t officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, an internet search reveals a wealth of information, including over fifty potential symptoms. I could identify around twenty symptoms that resonated with my experiences. The stories shared by other women on blogs and social media solidified my belief in BII. Even if it isn’t formally acknowledged, the countless testimonies from women about their health struggles related to implants cannot be ignored.
It’s not just my opinion; some plastic surgeons discuss BII on their websites, albeit not always under that name. Reputable organizations, such as M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, provide resources on the risks associated with breast implants. The information exists, yet comprehensive research and diagnostic protocols are lacking.
What I learned from the courageous women who shared their experiences is that when problematic implants remain in the body, no amount of dieting, exercise, or supplements can resolve BII. The only path to recovery is the complete removal of the implants and their capsules, followed by a detox process that can take months, if not years. Many women report that the longer they’ve had implants, the longer their detox journey will be.
For women like me, this is a significant issue, but the removal process isn’t straightforward. The financial burden can be staggering, with costs averaging around $10,000, and most insurance companies typically do not cover the removal for health-related reasons.
Furthermore, the emotional and mental implications of implant removal are profound. While we often hear that our appearance shouldn’t define us, the reality is our relationships with our bodies are complex and deeply personal. The recovery from implant removal requires weeks of downtime, necessitating time off work and support at home. Some women may need to travel long distances for their procedure, which can be especially challenging during a pandemic.
Many women are scrambling to find the funds for the removal, often facing dire circumstances such as being bedridden or struggling to care for their children. Meanwhile, the medical community frequently dismisses our symptoms, insisting that something else must be at fault. While it’s essential to rule out other health conditions, the symptoms of BII often overlap with various other diagnoses.
Throughout my years of having implants and countless medical appointments, not a single healthcare professional suggested that my implants could be the source of my illness. It’s a staggering realization that leaves me feeling let down by those I trusted to help me understand my health.
I don’t wish to vilify all plastic surgeons; many are genuinely compassionate and skilled at safely removing implants. Some even provide alternative reconstructive options for breast cancer patients. However, I believe it’s crucial to recognize the reality of BII and push for it to be an official diagnosis, allowing doctors to address it seriously.
I took every possible step to improve my health—eating organic, exercising on my elliptical, staying hydrated, eliminating alcohol, and using only “clean” beauty products. I poured thousands into medical visits and supplements, which offered only minor improvements compared to the impact of the implants.
Now, I am not only focused on healing from the removal of my implants but also grappling with regret. How do I forgive myself for prioritizing aesthetics over my health? How do I move forward? Sharing my story empowers me, and I hope it serves as a warning to others about the serious risks associated with silicone, whether implanted or injected. Ignorance is not bliss. I’m determined to reclaim my health and make up for lost time.
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Summary:
This article details the personal journey of a woman who believed her silicone breast implants were causing her a range of health issues, including severe fatigue, pain, and mental health struggles. Despite extensive medical consultations, her symptoms were not linked to her implants until a chance conversation led her to discover the concept of breast implant illness (BII). She discusses the challenges of recognizing BII, the financial and emotional burdens of implant removal, and the importance of advocating for women’s health in the medical community.
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Breast Implant Illness, Health Struggles, Silicone Implants, Women’s Health, Medical Community, Implant Removal, Mental Health, Financial Assistance