“Don't be scared and follow your gut. You will still be beautiful no matter your bra size. What’s important is your health and having you happy and healthy. There are so many of us who have gone through the same thing. You have an amazing support system just a click away.”

Tell us about your explant journey.

I never wanted to believe BII was a thing, I kept going to doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I had so many blood tests and went to so many drs and never got any answers to help, I was the mystery sickness. Eventually, I was put on humira because they said the only thing it could be was RMA, along with numerous thyroid and adrenal issues and horrible chronic EBV. I had so many people reach out saying I should look into BII and explant...after a trip to Ohio I finally did, I was at rock bottom, literally, way worse than most people know. Thankfully a friend referred me to a great dr who had a cancelation and was able to get me in the next week, I don't know what would have happened if I would have had to wait longer. My heart hurts for those whose explanations have been pushed back due to covid.

What type of implants did you have?

Well, kinda a long story. Originally I had saline. Then I had surgery 7 years later to get the textured silicone ones. Come to find out the second surgeon put regular silicone implants in vs the ones she told me she did.

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr. John Burns in Dallas Texas

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Right away after my second set of implants, never had issues that I was aware of before.

What symptoms did you have?

Exhaustion

Feeling off

Inflammation

Joint pain

Depression

EBV

Itching

Patches of skin peeling off

Brain fog

Memory loss

Hair loss

Insomnia

Thyroid conditions

Hysterectomy

Vertigo

Lymph issues

Shortness of breath

Liver and kidney issues

Fibromyalgia

RMA

Weight gain

Racing heart

How did breast implants impact your life?

They made me miss out on being the wife and mom I should be. My doctor told me I'd die if I didn't eliminate some of my daily activities and stressors - so I ended up retiring from behind the chair as a stylist and lash artist. The weight gain was insane.

What was surgery like for you?

Scary. The anesthesiologist was super nervous to have me in surgery due to how bad my EBV was, so that freaked me out. but I knew I needed to do this, it was my last chance

How are you doing now, after explant?

Amazing. It's been 15 months, and I feel so good. I still feel like I have parts I can improve to get back to normal, but my husband is like no it's a world of difference in your improvement. I had implants for 9 years, and it will take time to get everything back to normal. They did a lot of damage to my body, and some of it can't be reversed.

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

Don't be scared and follow your gut. You will still be beautiful no matter your bra size. What’s important is your health and having you happy and healthy. There are so many of us who have gone through the same thing. You have an amazing support system just a click away.

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

I wrote a blog for my experience, https://lisalarson.blog/2019/10/17/the-heal-is-really-real/