“I've lost 20 pounds without doing anything differently, I sleep much better, my energy is back, I don't have breathing issues, the tremor in my hand disappeared immediately after surgery, I don't have heart palpitations and my neck and shoulder pain has improved dramatically. I feel like I have my life back and I'm so thankful.“

After over two years of contemplating surgery, Joy made the decision to move forward with explanting noting an immediate change in her health post-surgery. 

Tell us about your explant journey.

It took me over 2 years to make the decision to explant, but once I did there was no looking back. Now I wish I would have done it a lot sooner. The day of surgery I was very nervous and they were running behind so I ended up waiting in pre op for several hours. The surgery went well though and we made the 2 hour drive home that night. The recovery was a lot easier than I expected physically. Emotionally, I was a wreck. I am so thankful for my family and friends that supported me through the process and reminded me that my health is more important than my looks and that everything would be worth it. It was hard to be limited for a few weeks but I was back to normal within 4 weeks. I immediately lost 14 lbs. (I'm guessing due to inflammation) and noticed my body starting the change fairly soon after surgery. A dear friend of mine reminded me that my precious little body had been through a lot and I needed to be kind and patient with it. I had never viewed my body as precious or little so I really tried to view my recovery through that lens and I think it gave me a lot of grace for what I was going through. 

What type of implants did you have?

Mentor silicone

What surgeon did you explant with?

Stephanie Suprenant 

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Several years

What symptoms did you have?

Autoimmune disease: menieres

Vertigo

Tinnitus

Chronic extreme fatigue

Ringing in my ears

Hair loss

Heart palpitations

Memory and concentration problems

Anxiety

Breathing issues/shortness of breath

Insomnia

Dry eyes

Headaches

Shoulder and neck pain

Chronic twitching/shaking/tremor in right hand
Weight gain

How did breast implants impact your life?

First of all, the last year that I had them in I was bed ridden. I had episodes of vertigo which led to nausea and vomiting so severe that I could hardly walk let alone work/drive/or function normally. I lost the majority of my hearing in my left ear as well. My fatigue was so bad that I was constantly exhausted and crying. I felt like I was 100 years old even though I was eating well, exercising and getting 8 hours of sleep at night (when I didn't have insomnia). I had constant migraines, heart palpitations, and muscle soreness/weakness. 

What was surgery like for you?

The surgery was really easy. My surgeon was wonderful. She explained everything ahead of time so I felt really comfortable. The only issue I had was with anaesthesia. I ended up with blurred vision for a few weeks after surgery which was a little scary. At first my anaesthesiologist thought it could have been from the scopolamine patch they gave me to help control nausea, but they didn't think the effects of that would last that long. It is much better now and corrected with contacts so we don't really know what caused it. 

How are you doing now, after explant?

I feel so much better now!!!! I still struggle with vertigo (unfortunately that has not improved), but everything else is much better. I was surprised immediately after surgery upon waking in post op when I could breath so much better! My symptoms took a while to improve but that was to be expected since I had my implants for over 12 years. I felt very sick and sore for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery but after that I began to feel things changing. It's been 7 months now and I am so happy that I explanted. I actually wish I would've done it sooner! I've lost 20 pounds without doing anything differently, I sleep much better, my energy is back, I don't have breathing issues, the tremor in my hand disappeared immediately after surgery, I don't have heart palpitations and my neck and shoulder pain has improved dramatically. I feel like I have my life back and I'm so thankful. 

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

It's worth it to get your health back!! I know it's hard to give up the look (believe me I struggled with that for over 2 years) but there is nothing like feeling strong and full of energy.