"My message is: if you're thinking of getting implants, do your research and make an informed decision. Know the risks associated with putting foreign objects in your body and be prepared. If I could speak to my 21-year-old self, I'd tell her that you don't need implants to make you more 'feminine' or beautiful. Breasts don't deem you more or less feminine, and small boobs are cool. We have so much more to offer the world than our external bodies♀️#ittybittytittycommitee"

Dani spent years trying to figure out why she felt off despite leading a healthy life, but after watching someone talk about their breast implant illness journey, she knew exactly what was wrong. 

Tell us about your explant journey.

12/12/19

Seven months ago, I made the decision to remove my 5-year-old silicone breast implants. I trusted my gut and went against what some of the plastic surgeons advised me to keep them in and made the best decision for my health.  

For years I couldn't understand why I never felt quite right. Why every time I'd go hard at something, I fell ill or couldn't keep up with the pace. Why, despite the fact that I ate organic, exercised, slept well and did everything in my power to be healthy; I still felt sick.

I saw countless health professionals, had countless blood testing, supplements, medications, procedures, all of which only temporarily made me feel better. Until I came across #breastimplantillness and learned about the toxic effects of silicone & heavy metals on your body, it was an absolute light-bulb moment for me.

I watched all of Karissa's stories and cried - mostly because I had found the answer to while I felt the way I did after all of these years. The group on Facebook' Breast implant illness and healing by Nicole' has allowed 100,000+ women to come together, share symptoms, experiences and support one another through the pre and post explanation phase of their BII healing journies.  

Silicon can gel bleed even without rupturing; it can leak through pores and are permeable (my implants are YELLOW & they were once WHITE) – confirmed by my PS.

Not to mention the TOXIC Ingredients including alcohol, formaldehyde (think fresh dead bodies, talc, ink, silica, lead, sodium fluoride, acetone (neurotoxins) + heavy metals.

We are told that these implantable devices are 'safe,' yet they're banned in countless countries, and women worldwide suffer from debilitating illness without answers (and have been for DECADES - see Oprah. Winfrey show 1995 with Dal Corning) 

#BII is real, and the symptoms are real, but there is no 'medically approved' testing to PROVE that your symptoms are caused by silicon toxicity. Sometimes the absence of evidence does NOT mean evidence of absence. - Just because it hasn't been proven YET, doesn't mean your experience isn't real.

My message is: if you're thinking of getting implants, do your research and make an informed decision. Know the risks associated with putting foreign objects in your body and be prepared. If I could speak to my 21-year-old self, I'd tell her that you don't need implants to make you more 'feminine' or beautiful. Breasts don't deem you more or less feminine, and small boobs are cool. We have so much more to offer the world than our external bodies♀️#ittybittytittycommitee

What type of implants did you have?

Allergan Natrelle Silicone Textured Implants

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr. Quoc Lam 

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

A few weird symptoms began about six months after implanting (vertigo/dizziness/fatigue), but they worsened at two years post-implanting with the onset of an autoimmune disease, gut issues, acne, and myriad of other symptoms

What symptoms did you have?

Vertigo

Autoimmune Hashimoto’s

Flu-like symptoms

Fatigue

Swollen face

Facial tingling

Cystic acne

Night sweats

Frequent urination

Couldn’t take a full breath in

Hair thinning

Heart palpitations

Anxiety

Tinitus

Mood disturbances

Brain fog & memory issues

Menstrual irregularity

Food intolerances

Inflammation

Feeling of heaviness

Weakness & muscle fatigue

Inability to recover from workouts

Viral issues

Weight gain

Nutritional deficiencies

Numbness under the breast

Raynard Syndrome

Itchy skin

Achy joints.

How did breast implants impact your life?

At first, they were the best decision I ever made because they made me feel whole, and I never had to worry about my insecurity of small boobs. Until they made me sick, that is. Then explanting turned out to be the best decision I ever made. They taught me a lot, and they are a part of my story now.

What was surgery like for you?

Surgery was actually quite a positive experience. My surgeon made what I thought was going to be a terrifying surgery, quite an enjoyable time of my life. I had full trust in my surgical team, and they took incredible care of me and gave me the best results possible. And managed a full en bloc capsulectomy!!!! I was in more pain than implanting. However, I was amazed at how quickly my body recovered post-explant surgery in comparison to when I implanted.

How are you doing now, after explant?

So. Much. Better! Don't get me wrong, I have my days, and I know that it's going to take a fair amount of time to heal after having implants for five years. However, I know that I am improving every month, and I will continue to improve as I focus on healing my body and giving it everything it requires for recovery. 

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

That we are beautiful without these foreign objects, and as terrifying as it seems, the other side is so beautiful. You don't realize how much better you can actually feel post-explant without these toxic, heavy bags on-top of our vital organs.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Do your research and make an informed decision. Know the risks that come with putting foreign objects in your body.