On a brisk October day, I found myself feeling unwell, a state I had been in for the last six months. I woke up with stiff, inflamed joints in my fingers and toes. Despite using high-quality prescription eye drops, my eyes felt like they were parched. I had slept a full eight hours yet felt like a zombie, moving through my day in a haze while managing my children’s online learning, preparing meals, and jotting down notes. I was also taking daily blood thinners due to a blood clot I had discovered during an ER visit a few months earlier. My family noticed how I frequently lost my train of thought mid-sentence. Although I was concerned about a potential breast cancer recurrence, a recent checkup confirmed that I was in the clear.
I realized something had to change. I maintained a healthy diet, exercised regularly, and got plenty of rest, yet I felt perpetually drained. I had exhausted countless options in seeking relief, spending thousands on physical therapy, chiropractic visits, consultations with a registered dietitian, my general practitioner, and numerous tests and scans. Frustrated, I realized I had one last option left—removing my breast implants. While I had seen many celebrities take this route, I wondered if it was right for me.
Three years prior, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a painful lump. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy, during which I was allowed to go direct-to-implant. This meant my breast tissue was removed, and the implants were placed in the same procedure. I went to sleep with my natural breasts and woke up with beautifully symmetrical D-cup implants, affectionately referred to as “foobs” in the breast cancer community.
However, the implants were never truly comfortable. My right shoulder was constantly in pain, and an MRI yielded no answers. I endured two bouts of intercostal muscle strain, a condition known for causing severe, slow-healing pain along the ribcage. Two lengthy and costly rounds of physical therapy provided only temporary relief, and I always carried a muscle-cooling roll-on with me in hopes of alleviating my discomfort.
Although my implants looked great, I often joked that I would be the most attractive grandma in the nursing home one day. The pain was significant but not unbearable. I considered whether yoga might help. But as my unusual and worsening symptoms persisted, I began to research. After just a few days in a breast implant illness social media group, I realized I needed to take action. To achieve genuine and lasting relief, I had to remove the implants and embrace being flat-chested.
I scheduled my surgery, which involved a complete capsulectomy and implant removal—known as explant surgery—and continued my research. I read thousands of testimonials from women who, like me, had felt they were on the brink of death before deciding to explant. Their compelling before and after photos convinced me; they had no financial incentive to promote explantation, and I trusted their experiences.
Interestingly, I discovered I was not alone in my journey. Dr. Mark Taylor, a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Coastal Plastic Surgery in Miami, Florida, has performed numerous implant removals for many patients, including high-profile individuals. He revealed to me that three years ago, he decided to stop performing breast augmentation procedures and instead focus on explant surgery due to the growing need for this specialized care. He noted that many of his patients experience significant improvements in their health after the procedure, which made his decision to concentrate on helping women safely explant a simple one.
While Breast Implant Illness (BII) isn’t an officially recognized medical diagnosis, many women will attest to the reality of their symptoms being linked to their implants. The results speak for themselves; once the implants are removed, many report remarkable relief. Dr. Taylor shared that “85-90% of my patients report improvements in their health post-explant.” Yes, you read that right—85-90%.
Not all women seek explantation due to BII. Some, according to Dr. Taylor, choose to explant because their augmented breasts are excessively large. I learned that women with breast implants often suffer from back, shoulder, and rib pain, headaches, ruptured implants, and other chronic discomforts. There are alternatives available; some women opt for breast lifts, fat transfers, or other procedures to enhance their natural breasts after explanting.
If someone decides to have their implants removed, is any surgeon qualified to perform the procedure? Not at all. Dr. Taylor stresses the importance of thoroughly researching the surgeon. Read reviews of their work and talk to former patients. I personally believe it’s crucial for the surgeon to validate the woman’s claims of illness or pain—something I experienced firsthand. This is why professionals like Dr. Taylor are becoming invaluable to women like me who have faced such health challenges. We not only seek relief but also a medical professional who believes in our experiences.
It’s been nearly six weeks since my explant surgery, and I’ve noticed a significant difference, starting with reduced inflammation. I shared a side-by-side comparison of my face before and after the surgery on social media, highlighting the transformation now that my implants are gone. While my story is just one of many, Dr. Taylor’s social media is filled with testimonials from women who have undergone similar procedures and experienced amazing results.
My chronic rib and shoulder pain have vanished. Perhaps the most remarkable change is my newfound energy. I no longer wake up feeling exhausted; instead, I can keep up with my four children and my job, exercise vigorously, and no longer rely on multiple cups of coffee throughout the day.
I am incredibly grateful to my doctor for believing my need to have my implants removed. I am also in awe of the many women who bravely shared their stories online, encouraging others to consider their truths. I am reclaiming my life, rediscovering myself, and doing so with confidence and freedom, flat-chested.
For those interested in exploring more about health and wellness, you can check out one of our other blog posts on vegan diets. Additionally, if you’re looking for guidance on home insemination, Make a Mom offers an excellent resource. For broader information on pregnancy, the CDC provides a wealth of knowledge.
Summary:
After enduring six months of debilitating symptoms linked to my breast implants, I made the life-changing decision to undergo explant surgery. The procedure alleviated my chronic pain and fatigue, allowing me to regain my vitality. With support from medical professionals and countless testimonials from other women, I found the courage to embrace a flat-chested life and reclaim my health.