“I want to come from a place of encouragement. If you truly feel like your implants are not serving you in a positive way, and actually have impacted your health negatively, exploring the option of explanting can completely change your life for the better.”

Alisha underwent breast reconstruction surgery after having a prophylactic mastectomy in 2018. Opting for the 325cc Silicone Natrelle breast implants, she noted that they “felt extremely uncomfortable right from the beginning.” Alisha chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy in pursuit of a healthier life, and her implants ended up doing the opposite. 

Tell us about your explant journey.

I have a prophylactic mastectomy in 2018 with reconstruction. I had the expanders in my chest for 3 months, and then had my final "exchange surgery" in August 2018. That is when I had 325cc Silicone Natrelle Implants placed. I could never get use to them. They felt extremely uncomfortable right from the beginning. I wanted to give my body time to adapt to this new situation, but then I started to experience a deep burning sensation on the right side, and the "pocket" felt like it was too big for my implant. Also, I started to develop shoulder pain and random eczema patches that I had never had before. I started to do more research into implants and realized that I had two toxic bags sitting under my skin, in my chest, 24/7!! It totally freaked me out, and I knew I had to get them out. Even if it meant that I would be "flat". Ultimately, I chose to have the mastectomy to improve my health. And having these implants was doing the exact opposite, so I knew they had to go. 

What type of implants did you have?

Natrelle Inspira Soft Touch Silicone

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr John C Lee in Connecticut

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Within 2 months

What symptoms did you have?

Burning sensation

Eczema

Joint pain (shoulder)

How did breast implants impact your life?

Breast Implants made me more self conscious about my body. I felt like they were huge and didn't look right. I could not get comfortable with them. I felt like I couldn't hold my two daughters close to my chest. I started to get anxious about having these foreign objects inside my body at all times. I felt out of control of my health while I had them.

What was surgery like for you?

Surgery is always scary heading into it. The actual procedure and recoveries went well. I feel very blessed.

How are you doing now, after explant?

I am doing much better! I feel more like myself! My body feels "normal". The joint pain and eczema both had completely gone away right after the explant. That was very interesting. 

What would you like women who are considering explant to know?

I want to come from a place of encouragement. If you truly feel like your implants are not serving you in a positive way, and actually have impacted your health negatively, exploring the option of explanting can completely change your life for the better. Find a surgeon you trust, who has performed the procedure successfully many many times. Ask the surgeon if they can put you in contact (with their permission) with patients of theirs who have had a similar procedure, so you can learn more about their experience with that particular doctor. It's so important to have a highly skilled surgeon who has performed the En Bloc technique with success consistently.