Beginning a few years after she got breast implants, Andria’s breast implant illness symptoms range from chronic fatigue and insomnia to chronic inflammation and chest pain. 

“It robbed me of a decade... 10 years of not knowing what was wrong with me. Thousands of dollars on doctors that told me I was perfectly healthy even laying there in pain. ‘It's all in your head’ ”

Tell us about your explant journey.

I had high profile saline implants for 15 years. Decided to explant in September of 2020. Honestly, I had no idea how sick I actually was until after explant. I have always been very active in the gym but I didn't realize that was actually saving my life because it kept me moving and kept me from falling into depression. I am not clear from all of the bii symptoms but I am feeling tremendously better even just a short few months after surgery.

What type of implants did you have?

Mentor saline implants 

What surgeon did you explant with?

1. SURJIT RAI 

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Honestly it's hard to know, probably after about 5 years

What symptoms did you have?

Joint/ muscle pain

Chronic fatigue 

Neck pains 

Gastrointestinal shooting pains 

Chronic inflammation 

Insomnia 

Rashes/skin discoloration 

Dry mouth/ metallic taste

Anxiety 

Depression 

Headaches 

Heart palpitations 

Hair loss

Dry eye

Stabbing chest pains

Tingling in elbows and knees

Joint pain

Hypersensitivity in limbs

How did breast implants impact your life?

It robbed me of a decade... 10 years of not knowing what was wrong with me. Thousands of dollars on doctors that told me I was perfectly healthy even laying there in pain. "It's all in your head"

What was surgery like for you?

Liberating.. terrifying.. amazing. It's all the emotions you had no idea you'd feel. 

How are you doing now, after explant?

Incredible, I feel like a different person. I had my entire 20s robbed from me, so I'm making up for lost time

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

Do it. Get them out. Now. Don't wait, it won't get better, it won't get easier but you will heal. You'll get back up and never look back.