“The depression is slowly letting up. My muscles don’t shake when I’m walking down the stairs anymore. I feel stronger. Most importantly to me is I am beginning to find joy in things again”

Candist’s experience with breast implant illness began a short two weeks after she got breast implants, drastically altering life as she knew it. However, upon finding a Facebook group called Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole, she knew immediately that she wasn’t crazy - she had BII.

Tell us about your explant journey.

I found a Facebook support group called breast implant illness and healing by Nicole durada. Within minutes I realized I wasn’t crazy. I felt a sense of relief because finally I felt like I had an answer as to why my life so drastically changed. My explant was January 15, 2021. By day 2 I felt awake again. I felt like I was coming back into reality, no longer in this scary fog. 

What type of implants did you have?

Allergan natrelle smooth silicone

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr Florence Mussat

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Within 2 weeks 

What symptoms did you have?

Anxiety

Insomnia

Brain fog

Dizziness 

Vertigo

Depression 

Suicidal thoughts

Bad pms

Heart palpitations/ heart pains

Shortness of breath

Mood swings

Weight gain 

How did breast implants impact your life?

It affected every area of my life. My children, my husband, my business. I couldn’t eat for weeks. I felt like I was dying.

What was surgery like for you?

Neither surgery had a rough healing thankfully 

How are you doing now, after explant?

After explant, I am getting better day by day. I can think straight. My sleep is tremendously better, anxiety doesn’t control my life anymore. The depression is slowly letting up. My muscles don’t shake when I’m walking down the stairs anymore. I feel stronger. Most importantly to me is I am beginning to find joy in things again, as opposed to before nothing made me happy, not even my kids. 

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

Do it! Do it! Do it! Even if you think you don’t have any symptoms, they are not worth the risk! 

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

This movement is saving lives. This platform is giving women a safe space to be open about what they are walking through. This platform is bringing to light things women didn’t even know was happening inside of them and giving women hope again. We are not crazy, our bodies are so smart and we were created to be in tune with our bodies.