Having dealt with unexplainable health issues for years, Deborah Jennings was ready for answers. After stumbling across an Instagram post about someone who had suffered from breast implant illness, Deborah knew exactly what had been ailing her. Now 11 weeks post-op, she is on her healing journey and improving every week.

Tell us about your explant journey.

I have had health issues over the last six or so years, and no doctor could figure out why I was having health problems. Some of my issues include acne, hair loss, inflammation, joint pain, weight gain, body odor, brain fog, fatigue, night sweats, headaches etc. I was just dealing with so many issues, and no one could figure out why I was so sick. 

Cut to May 2019. I stumbled upon an Instagram post about breast implant illness that I could have written word for word. It just clicked. This is exactly what is wrong with me. I spent hours the next month reading about breast implant illness and doing so much research that I could write a dissertation on BII. 

I scheduled two explant consultations and ended up with Dr. Rowley in Phoenix AZ. I opted for a lift on top of the explant and capsulectomy. I underwent the procedure on January 31, 2020, and everything went so incredibly well. 

I am 11 weeks post-op and I feel amazing. I am still working on gut health and healing, but overall my health has drastically improved getting better and better each week. 

What type of implants did you have?

450 CC Smooth saline, high profile

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr. John Rowley

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Five years 

What symptoms did you have?

Digestion issues

Hair loss

Acne

Weight gain

Night sweats

Hormone imbalance

Headaches

Fatigue

Body aches

Body odor

Inflammation 

How did breast implants impact your life?

It gave me the confidence I needed in my early 20s, and for that I am grateful, but having to deal with many health issues when I should have been in the prime of my life was depressing. 

What was surgery like for you?

It was a bit scary not knowing what you are going to wake up with. But the Dr and his team and surgery center were amazing and overall the recovery was fairly easy.

How are you doing now, after explant?

I feel amazing. I LOVE the way I look and how my clothes fit.

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

It is absolutely not worth your health, and it costs about $10,000 to have them removed, plus you'll have a lot of scarring. It is just NOT worth all the medical issues you will probably end up having. Love yourself!