From the moment she got her breast implants, Natalie knew that something was off. Although she led an objectively “healthy” lifestyle, her health slowly declined throughout the years after implanting. Natalie chalked it up to the result of unhealthy habits, but when her sister sent her an article on breast implant illness, she knew exactly what was wrong.

Tell us about your explant journey.

From the day I got breast implants, they always felt strange and foreign to me. However, I dismissed the feeling and tried to go on living my life. 

Slowly over the years, my health declined and new symptoms were appearing weekly. I didn't make the connection and thought maybe I was just an 'unhealthy' person even though I ate well, exercised and no one in my family had any of the issues I was having.

It wasn't until my sister sent me an article about breast implant illness that I began researching more and suddenly everything made sense. I realized all of my strange health problems started 6 months after getting breast implants. The moment I made the decision to explant, I cried. They were tears of joy. It's like my soul was screaming 'FINALLY!' 

I went to 3 consultations in Sydney before deciding to explant with Dr Wessels.

What type of implants did you have?

370cc Allergan Smooth Silicone

What surgeon did you explant with?

Dr. Louis Wessels

When did you begin to experience symptoms?

6 months

What symptoms did you have?

Severe fatigue

Bladder issues

Joint and muscle pain

Hair loss

Shortness of breath

Brain fog

Digestive issues

Feeling like I'm dying

Dry hair

Sensitive to light

Ringing in ears

Allergies

Inability to stand for long periods

Migraines

How did breast implants impact your life?

Getting breast implants was the worst decision I have ever made. I went from a young, healthy, motivated 23-year-old to what felt like a dying 90-year-old woman within years. Breast implants sucked the life out of me. They destroyed my radiance and my joy. They took away years of my life, which is something that will take me a while to forgive myself for doing.

What was surgery like for you?

Recovering from implant surgery was easy, so I expected explant surgery to be the same, if not easier. I was wrong! It was extremely painful, but immediately after waking up from surgery, I noticed my first health improvement. My mind was suddenly clear! It's like the brain fog and zombie state I was living in for years was suddenly gone. 

How are you doing now, after explant?

I am now six weeks post-op and doing amazing! I continue to see my health improve every day. My fatigue and brain fog are gone. My digestive issues are improving, my hair is growing back faster, the random grey hairs in my eyebrows have stopped growing and I no longer feel like I am dying. Explanting was the best decision I could have ever made.

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

Breast implants are not worth it! Two big foreign balls implanted in your chest do not make you 'beautiful.' True beauty comes from within. I feel more confident now with my AA cup than I did with my D cup fake boobs. Confidence comes from within!