Comments on: Do You Really Know the Health Risks Associated with Breast Implants? http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:12:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: MILDRED http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-335 MILDRED Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:34:58 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-335 I HAD SALINE SMOOTH IMPLANTS PLACED UNDER THE MUSCLE IN 1999. AFTER 9 YEARS I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE HAIRLOSS, VERTIGO, JOINT PAIN, FATIGUE AND NUMBNESS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF MY BODY….AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS DOCTORS I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IT THERE WERE DAYS THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF BED…..I FINALLY CAME ACROSS THIS FORUM AND SAW THAT A LOT OF THE WOMAN SUFFERED SIMILAR SYMPTOMS…I DECIDED TO EXPLANT WITHOUT REPLACEMENT…..MY SURGERY WAS RECENT SO I AM STILL RECOVERING BUT THIS IS THE BEST DECISION THAT I HAVE EVER MADE…I AM A NEW PERSON…I WON THE BATTLE BECAUSE IN THE END I NO LONGER HAVE IMPLANTS BUT I DO HAVE MY HEALTH. I HAD SALINE SMOOTH IMPLANTS PLACED UNDER THE MUSCLE IN 1999. AFTER 9 YEARS I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE HAIRLOSS, VERTIGO, JOINT PAIN, FATIGUE AND NUMBNESS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF MY BODY….AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS DOCTORS I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS COMPLETELY NORMAL I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IT THERE WERE DAYS THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF BED…..I FINALLY CAME ACROSS THIS FORUM AND SAW THAT A LOT OF THE WOMAN SUFFERED SIMILAR SYMPTOMS…I DECIDED TO EXPLANT WITHOUT REPLACEMENT…..MY SURGERY WAS RECENT SO I AM STILL RECOVERING BUT THIS IS THE BEST DECISION THAT I HAVE EVER MADE…I AM A NEW PERSON…I WON THE BATTLE BECAUSE IN THE END I NO LONGER HAVE IMPLANTS BUT I DO HAVE MY HEALTH.

]]> By: Anonymous http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-323 Anonymous Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:19:26 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-323 I am very fortunate to not have the illnesses or symptoms that many women are faced with. After two botched breast augmentations(by one of the most expensive and well credentialed surgeons in my city)I was very lucky to come across a support forum with real accounts from real women with implant problems. Although I had local pain and was generally uncomfortable, I expected this and was prepared for it the first couple of years while my body adjusted. My surgeon basically attributed my bad results to my body's own healing and building of scar tissue and that sometimes this is beyond a surgeons control. I had been warned about the possiblities of asymmetry, wrinkling, contracture...etc, but I was not prepared for being lefted deformed, out over 10k (2 surgeries) with no recourse or guarantee that I could be fixed. Thankfully I chose to be explanted without replacement. I got a lift at the same time and would advise anyone trying to better their breast appearance to look into lift without implants. I am very small and am very happy with my results. They aren't perfect, but implants, even if done correctly wouldn't have made them perfect. P.S. At explantation I only had my implants for 6 months and one was already yellowish in comparison to the other and I had a very significant capsule...I can't imagine what the would have looked like 5 years later. Not all women have problems, but is it worth the risks? I am very fortunate to not have the illnesses or symptoms that many women are faced with. After two botched breast augmentations(by one of the most expensive and well credentialed surgeons in my city)I was very lucky to come across a support forum with real accounts from real women with implant problems. Although I had local pain and was generally uncomfortable, I expected this and was prepared for it the first couple of years while my body adjusted. My surgeon basically attributed my bad results to my body’s own healing and building of scar tissue and that sometimes this is beyond a surgeons control. I had been warned about the possiblities of asymmetry, wrinkling, contracture…etc, but I was not prepared for being lefted deformed, out over 10k (2 surgeries) with no recourse or guarantee that I could be fixed. Thankfully I chose to be explanted without replacement. I got a lift at the same time and would advise anyone trying to better their breast appearance to look into lift without implants. I am very small and am very happy with my results. They aren’t perfect, but implants, even if done correctly wouldn’t have made them perfect. P.S. At explantation I only had my implants for 6 months and one was already yellowish in comparison to the other and I had a very significant capsule…I can’t imagine what the would have looked like 5 years later. Not all women have problems, but is it worth the risks?

]]> By: scared1 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-317 scared1 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:45:39 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-317 I have saline filled silicone. One ruptured, which prompted me to find out more information about implants. In 1997, I didn't have a way to search, but now I do. I was going to reimplant until I found out that NO implant is safe. I've also realized that some of my health issues, extreme fatigue, weight gain, weakened immune system could be linked to implants. I am getting explanted. I feel very sad that when I try to discuss this with people that are pro-implants, they don't even really want to hear what I have to say. It's very disheartening. Thank you for your article. I have saline filled silicone. One ruptured, which prompted me to find out more information about implants. In 1997, I didn’t have a way to search, but now I do. I was going to reimplant until I found out that NO implant is safe. I’ve also realized that some of my health issues, extreme fatigue, weight gain, weakened immune system could be linked to implants. I am getting explanted. I feel very sad that when I try to discuss this with people that are pro-implants, they don’t even really want to hear what I have to say. It’s very disheartening. Thank you for your article.

]]> By: bethtaylor http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-302 bethtaylor Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:57:56 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-302 Kathy1983: I hope that therpy for your shoulder helps you and yes, good point about being a fly on the wall! LOL Danielle: Your story is very sad and all too familiar. I'm so angry that none of us were told of the real dangers. I too have that vertigo with alot of the other symptoms you described. I just struggle with the vertigo as I've fallen several times from it. I hope you feel better soon! Kerry: So sorry to hear what you have had to endure. Some of us are very sensitive to silicone. You clearly are one of those people. I hope that you are regaining your health. Kathy1983: I hope that therpy for your shoulder helps you and yes, good point about being a fly on the wall! LOL

Danielle: Your story is very sad and all too familiar. I’m so angry that none of us were told of the real dangers. I too have that vertigo with alot of the other symptoms you described. I just struggle with the vertigo as I’ve fallen several times from it. I hope you feel better soon!

Kerry: So sorry to hear what you have had to endure. Some of us are very sensitive to silicone. You clearly are one of those people. I hope that you are regaining your health.

]]> By: kerry silicone 2000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-300 kerry silicone 2000 Sat, 03 Nov 2007 01:18:43 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-300 Hi my name is Kerry.I had silicone/silicone in 2000.Im 36 now...I had my breast implants for a 6 year dwell time.I had to wait 18 months to get the scar tissue removed because of money.I became very ill right in the very begining.I was carried back and forth to the bathroom,and fed in bed....I started with very bad migrane hedaches the first few weeks...I couldnt see light and would lye on the floor and cry because my head hurt so bad.I was explanted jan 31 2006 in and out of anaphlactic shock. My ankles and feet had swollen grotesly.I was waiting for this rare disease diagnosis.that never came, thank God!I have been diagnosed w raynauds (SLE) lupus, fibro, epsteins bar virus was one of my first,ibs, cfs,and have a lesion above my left eye.I was bed ridden also in 2004 -2005 In my moms care, she had to wash me!I didnt barley know anything, the date, what the world news was, stuttered, puked blood, bloody noses,fainting,tremors as if I had parkinsons, thank God I do not.The hardest part for me was sighning a will my folks brought me and sighning my daughter away, just in case I passed away,and they did not catch this disease in time.My explanted implants spoke for why I was so deathly ill.thank you! Hi my name is Kerry.I had silicone/silicone in 2000.Im 36 now…I had my breast implants for a 6 year dwell time.I had to wait 18 months to get the scar tissue removed because of money.I became very ill right in the very begining.I was carried back and forth to the bathroom,and fed in bed….I started with very bad migrane hedaches the first few weeks…I couldnt see light and would lye on the floor and cry because my head hurt so bad.I was explanted jan 31 2006 in and out of anaphlactic shock. My ankles and feet had swollen grotesly.I was waiting for this rare disease diagnosis.that never came, thank God!I have been diagnosed w raynauds (SLE) lupus, fibro, epsteins bar virus was one of my first,ibs, cfs,and have a lesion above my left eye.I was bed ridden also in 2004 -2005 In my moms care, she had to wash me!I didnt barley know anything, the date, what the world news was, stuttered, puked blood, bloody noses,fainting,tremors as if I had parkinsons, thank God I do not.The hardest part for me was sighning a will my folks brought me and sighning my daughter away, just in case I passed away,and they did not catch this disease in time.My explanted implants spoke for why I was so deathly ill.thank you!

]]> By: Danielle http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-294 Danielle Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:57:21 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-294 I was implanted with McGhan Silicone Gel 280cc in 1988. 15 months later I woke up with a severe case of vertigo that lasted 2 years. This was followed by insomnia, dry eyes, extreme fatigue, depression(for no reason), hair loss, memory problems, speech problems, rashes, dry skin and others for the next 17 years. I was diagnosed by 8 Doctors with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Epstein-Barr Virus, hypothyroidism and tested several times for Lupus and M.S. For all the women getting implants I want you to have all of the information "of what could happen". If you decide to get implants, become familiar with symptoms that could be the beginning of a lifetime of illness. If one Dr. had understood the symptoms associated with silicone toxicity, I would have taken mine out sooner and would still have the wonderful life I used to have. I've lost friends, my job of 31 years, my retirement and the life I worked so hard to attain. I now spend most of my days in bed. I'm broke and tired at 58 yrs old. I now look older than my friends - illness is aging! All implants will have to be replaced or explanted at some. This was a mistake I will never recover from - if only I could roll back the clock to the time in my life when I was young, healthy, energetic and employed. I was implanted with McGhan Silicone Gel 280cc in 1988. 15 months later I woke up with a severe case of vertigo that lasted 2 years. This was followed by insomnia, dry eyes, extreme fatigue, depression(for no reason), hair loss, memory problems, speech problems, rashes, dry skin and others for the next 17 years. I was diagnosed by 8 Doctors with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Epstein-Barr Virus, hypothyroidism and tested several times for Lupus and M.S. For all the women getting implants I want you to have all of the information “of what could happen”. If you decide to get implants, become familiar with symptoms that could be the beginning of a lifetime of illness. If one Dr. had understood the symptoms associated with silicone toxicity, I would have taken mine out sooner and would still have the wonderful life I used to have. I’ve lost friends, my job of 31 years, my retirement and the life I worked so hard to attain. I now spend most of my days in bed. I’m broke and tired at 58 yrs old. I now look older than my friends - illness is aging! All implants will have to be replaced or explanted at some. This was a mistake I will never recover from - if only I could roll back the clock to the time in my life when I was young, healthy, energetic and employed.

]]> By: Kathy1983 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-289 Kathy1983 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:22:08 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-289 I became a single parent following a painful divorce when I was twenty-four.I worked during the day and returned to part-time college at night. I also chose orthodontic treatment along with silicone breast implants in an attempt to improve my physical image.I felt empowered and independent; life wasn't so unfair after all. Within a matter of months following augmentation, my breasts became painful and hard. My plastic surgeon suggested replacement with Natural Y polyurethane coated silicone implants to ward off capsular contracture. Again, within a year my breasts re-developed the hardness, only this time I suffered a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and rheumatiod arthritis. Within five years of that, it was determined I have to take thyroid hormone replacement medication forever. Then my health slowly improved. I went on with my life wondering why hives continued to come out on my upper torso every so often and where the bouts of nausea came from during many mornings and nights. As I would return to my plastic surgeon armed with advisements from the FDA, or complaining about discomfort caused by the scar capsules, he only cautioned me to consider becoming disfigured without implant exchange. I was told it was in my best interest to leave them alone unless I purchased new ones. My implants were carefully removed "en bloc" twenty-four years later by a reconstructive plastic surgeon in Atlanta. She found it necessary to remove two axillary lymph nodes that were swollen with silicone that had shed and/or bled out from the implant shell. A lift was performed during the implant removal and my breasts appear surprisingly normal. Had I known my implants could be associated to lymphoma, I would have insisted they be removed long ago, rather than trusting my implanting surgeon to have the last word. I am presently undergoing physical therapy for a frozen shoulder. I will detox for no less than one year. I urge women to research explant within the Internet forums. Haven't you ever wondered what you could hear if you were a fly on the wall in your physician's office? Well, now you can. We are speaking out about the "real world" effects that your implanting plastic surgeon will never want you to know. I became a single parent following a painful divorce when I was twenty-four.I worked during the day and returned to part-time college at night. I also chose orthodontic treatment along with silicone breast implants in an attempt to improve my physical image.I felt empowered and independent; life wasn’t so unfair after all.

Within a matter of months following augmentation, my breasts became painful and hard. My plastic surgeon suggested replacement with Natural Y polyurethane coated silicone implants to ward off capsular contracture. Again, within a year my breasts re-developed the hardness, only this time I suffered a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and rheumatiod arthritis. Within five years of that, it was determined I have to take thyroid hormone replacement medication forever. Then my health slowly improved. I went on with my life wondering why hives continued to come out on my upper torso every so often and where the bouts of nausea came from during many mornings and nights.

As I would return to my plastic surgeon armed with advisements from the FDA, or complaining about discomfort caused by the scar capsules, he only cautioned me to consider becoming disfigured without implant exchange. I was told it was in my best interest to leave them alone unless I purchased new ones.

My implants were carefully removed “en bloc” twenty-four years later by a reconstructive plastic surgeon in Atlanta. She found it necessary to remove two axillary lymph nodes that were swollen with silicone that had shed and/or bled out from the implant shell. A lift was performed during the implant removal and my breasts appear surprisingly normal. Had I known my implants could be associated to lymphoma, I would have insisted they be removed long ago, rather than trusting my implanting surgeon to have the last word.

I am presently undergoing physical therapy for a frozen shoulder. I will detox for no less than one year. I urge women to research explant within the Internet forums. Haven’t you ever wondered what you could hear if you were a fly on the wall in your physician’s office? Well, now you can. We are speaking out about the “real world” effects that your implanting plastic surgeon will never want you to know.

]]> By: bethtaylor http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-288 bethtaylor Thu, 01 Nov 2007 22:14:17 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-288 Katie, I often wondered that too. How did I just start to develop all these illnesses overnight? I also go to a pain management doc and she will just say 'I can't comment on that' when I mention the implants I had. I think this is a big problem. I'm so glad you are feeling better after explant. Thank goodness this didn't go on for years and years. You are so young and have your entire life ahead of you. I know there are some doctors that can make you believe this is all in your head. It isn't and you are right, breast implants just aren't worth it!!!! Katie, I often wondered that too. How did I just start to develop all these illnesses overnight?

I also go to a pain management doc and she will just say ‘I can’t comment on that’ when I mention the implants I had. I think this is a big problem.

I’m so glad you are feeling better after explant. Thank goodness this didn’t go on for years and years. You are so young and have your entire life ahead of you.

I know there are some doctors that can make you believe this is all in your head. It isn’t and you are right, breast implants just aren’t worth it!!!!

]]> By: Katie http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-287 Katie Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:10:56 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-287 My name is Katie and I'm 23. I decided to get saline implants in November 2005. Before my implants I have always been a healthy girl- worked out six days a week, ate healthy and enjoyed life. That following June I began to have terrible and debilitating joint pain in both elbows, both shoulders and tenderness in my back. I had been to every kind of Dr. and most thought I had tendinitis. So after resting for about 6 months and still no relief I then saw more Dr.s, received accupuncture, physical therapy, daily massages and still in chronic pain. After a year and a half of feeling miserable and in pain ALL the time I went to a pain management Doctor. I told him that I had breast implants and maybe that could be related to my pain, and he basically laughed at me and said he highly doubted that was the reason I was having all these problems.The only thing he said was that Ihad a lot of symptoms of fibromyalgia. How could I be completely healthy my whole life and just develop fibromyalgia out of nowhere? So the more I thought about my implants causing me my pain, I began to research breast implants and fibromyalgia. That brought me to a wonderful support group where other women were having very similar problems as me. From that day on I knew that my pain was from my implants. Last week I had my explant surgery. I am so happy to be on the road to recovery. I'm 23 and have missed out on almost two years of my life. If I would have known what I know now about the dangers of breast implants I would have never considered implants. A bunch of people have them and have no problems, but you just don't know how your body will react to them- It's not worth it! My name is Katie and I’m 23. I decided to get saline implants in November 2005. Before my implants I have always been a healthy girl- worked out six days a week, ate healthy and enjoyed life. That following June I began to have terrible and debilitating joint pain in both elbows, both shoulders and tenderness in my back. I had been to every kind of Dr. and most thought I had tendinitis. So after resting for about 6 months and still no relief I then saw more Dr.s, received accupuncture, physical therapy, daily massages and still in chronic pain. After a year and a half of feeling miserable and in pain ALL the time I went to a pain management Doctor. I told him that I had breast implants and maybe that could be related to my pain, and he basically laughed at me and said he highly doubted that was the reason I was having all these problems.The only thing he said was that Ihad a lot of symptoms of fibromyalgia. How could I be completely healthy my whole life and just develop fibromyalgia out of nowhere? So the more I thought about my implants causing me my pain, I began to research breast implants and fibromyalgia. That brought me to a wonderful support group where other women were having very similar problems as me. From that day on I knew that my pain was from my implants.

Last week I had my explant surgery. I am so happy to be on the road to recovery. I’m 23 and have missed out on almost two years of my life. If I would have known what I know now about the dangers of breast implants I would have never considered implants. A bunch of people have them and have no problems, but you just don’t know how your body will react to them- It’s not worth it!

]]> By: bethtaylor http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-284 bethtaylor Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:35:15 +0000 http://beautyandthebreast.org/2007/10/30/do-you-really-know-the-health-risks-associated-with-breast-implants/127#comment-284 Jamiehae, your story sounds very similar to my own. I'm sorry to hear that you too were uninformed about your decision over 10 years ago. I hope that your heatlh improves after explant. Many, many women experience much improvement. I hope that you will as well! Jamiehae, your story sounds very similar to my own. I’m sorry to hear that you too were uninformed about your decision over 10 years ago.

I hope that your heatlh improves after explant. Many, many women experience much improvement. I hope that you will as well!

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