“I nursed my first two girls for 15 months each, and after doing so, my breasts showed it. I started to refer to myself as “National Geographic” – not a proud thing to admit, but it bothered me. I knew that I was slowly heading to “the other side.” I wanted to feel more like myself, to not look in the mirror and despise the stretched-thin bags of love. Little did I know that this was a pivotal moment in my life that would send me to numerous doctors, involve unexplained (and some explained) illnesses, and finally send me back to my starting point.”

Tell us about your explant journey.

My whole story is here: https://easyrealfood.com/why-i-got-my-breast-implants-removed/ 

What type of implants did you have?

Silicone under the muscle

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr. LuJean Feng

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Within 1 year of having them put in. But it took me years to realize it.

What symptoms did you have?

Raynaud’s syndrome

Mast cell activation disorder

Hypothyroid

GERD

At risk for primary biliary cirrhosis

Epstein Barr Virus

Rheumatoid arthritis

Probable celiac (I’ve been gluten-free for so long that they can’t adequately test me)

Fatigue

Anemia

How did breast implants impact your life?

They caused me to have SO many medical diagnoses and see so many doctors. They gave me a false sense of identity; I'm not sorry that I got them, but I do want to learn from the experience.

What was surgery like for you?

Easy. Dr. Feng's clinic was AMAZING. She used a nerve block which worked wonders. The first two weeks afterward, I was slow, and my chest did have some tightness, but it truly was easy.

How are you doing now, after explant?

It has been a journey, but much more good than bad. I'm focusing on ME, what I want, getting rid of things that I don't need. Self-care is of the utmost importance to me. It's been ups and downs, but I know I made the right decision.

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

It took me two years to finally make the decision to explant. Know that if and when it's your time to make the decision, you'll feel ready. And you won't look back.