“I was terrified. My health declined so quickly and I thought I was crazy. I woke up daily wondering what I’d feel like or what would be wrong that day. I was drowning in guilt for not wanting to not being able to do anything. The simplest things exhausted me. I went from being in the best shape of my life to not being able to workout at all.”

Meagan’s symptoms manifested within a month of her getting implants. With symptoms ranging from heart palpitations to Constant fatigue, Meagan was eager for answers when a friend introduced her to something called breast implant illness.

Tell us about your explant journey.

I got implants as a mommy makeover to myself in November of 2019. Within a month I landed in the ER with heart palpitations. It escalated from there and was usually pinned on “anxiety.” I had more dr. visits than I can count. Tried more medicine than I can even remember and always felt awful. I had over 30 BII symptoms with my accelerated heart rate being the worst. A friend told me about her journey and introduced me to the different BII social media pages. I began to do research and take note of my symptoms. I found a surgeon and consulted in October then explanted November 13, 2020 after only having my implants in for one year. 

What type of implants did you have?

310 cc’s Natrelle Inspira Extra Full Profile 

What surgeon did you explant with?

Timothy Browne in Tulsa, OK

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

Within one month of getting implants 

What symptoms did you have?

Accelerated heart rate

Heart palpitations

High blood pressure

Low blood sugar

Constant anxiety

Depression

Under eye bags

Insomnia

Constant fatigue

Nausea

Dizziness

Inability to workout/ exercise

Shallow breathing

Constant migraines

Recurring sinus infections

Swollen joints

Digestive issues

Thrush

Bladder issues

Dry eyes

No alcohol tolerance

Brain fog and confusion

How did breast implants impact your life?

I was terrified. My health declined so quickly and I thought I was crazy. I woke up daily wondering what I’d feel like or what would be wrong that day. I was drowning in guilt for not wanting to not being able to do anything. The simplest things exhausted me. I went from being in the best shape of my life to not being able to workout at all. 

What was surgery like for you?

Surgery was hard, but I’ve had a dozen surgeries for different reasons so I was “prepared”. Although, when I woke up this time it seemed a little harder to get going after anesthesia. Pain didn’t start til around 13 days post op. 

How are you doing now, after explant?

Taking it day by day. Being thankful I get a second chance. Slowly working up to small tasks and being ok with that. Reminding my family how much they mean to me, etc. 

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

It still feels so surreal. Like did this really happen to me? I’m not sure if It’ll ever feel real or not, but what I wouldn’t do to get that year back ... what I wouldn’t give to not have wasted my time, my family’s time, money, etc. It’s just not worth it.