On a crisp October morning, I found myself grappling with persistent illness, a state I had endured for the previous six months. My fingers and toes ached with stiffness and swelling, and despite applying top-tier prescription eye drops, my eyes felt parched. Even after a full night’s sleep, I shuffled through my day, juggling remote learning with my kids, meal prepping, and trying to write, all while feeling like a mere shell of my former self. My routine included taking a daily blood thinner due to a blood clot I discovered during an emergency visit months earlier. My family noticed my struggle to stay present, often forgetting my train of thought mid-sentence. A recent checkup had allayed my fears of breast cancer returning but left me feeling lost.
I knew I needed a change. Despite maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and ensuring adequate sleep, I felt like a walking zombie. I’d exhausted every avenue for improvement, spending thousands on physical therapy, chiropractic sessions, consultations with a registered dietitian, and comprehensive medical tests. What was going wrong? The only option I hadn’t considered yet was removing my breast implants. While I had seen many celebrities take this step, I wondered if it could actually apply to me.
Three years earlier, I had been diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a painful lump. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy, which allowed me to receive implants during the same procedure. I went to sleep with my natural breasts and awoke with aesthetically pleasing, D-cup implants—often humorously referred to as “foobs” in the breast cancer community.
However, comfort was elusive. My right shoulder was constantly in pain, and despite an MRI showing nothing amiss, I suffered from severe intercostal muscle strain. Two lengthy and costly rounds of physical therapy provided only temporary relief, and I often relied on a muscle-cooling roll-on for comfort.
Although my implants appeared fantastic, I began to wonder if the pain was worth it. Perhaps I should just try more yoga? But as my symptoms worsened, I knew I had to research further. After only a few days in a breast implant illness support group, I realized I had to remove the implants and embrace a flat-chested life for genuine relief.
I scheduled my complete capsulectomy and implant removal, known as explant surgery, and continued my research. I read numerous testimonials from women who felt they teetered on the brink of health crises before their explantations. Their transformative before-and-after photos spoke volumes, and they had no ulterior motives in sharing their stories. I believed them.
Dr. Mark Roberts, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Los Angeles, has performed many explant surgeries, including for high-profile clients. He recently decided to cease performing breast augmentations, recognizing a growing need to specialize in explant procedures. He shared that many patients notice significant health improvements post-surgery, making his shift in focus a straightforward choice.
While Breast Implant Illness (BII) is not officially recognized as a medical condition, countless women attribute their health issues to their implants. The evidence lies in the positive changes patients report after removal; Dr. Roberts noted that around 85-90% of his patients experience marked health improvements post-explant.
Not every woman opts for explant due to BII—some choose to remove implants because they feel their augmentations are too large. Many women experience a range of symptoms, from back and shoulder pain to headaches and implant ruptures, all contributing to chronic discomfort. Fortunately, alternatives exist, such as breast lifts, fat transfers, or other procedures to enhance natural breasts after explanting.
If someone decides to remove their implants, it’s crucial to choose a qualified surgeon. Dr. Roberts emphasized the importance of researching potential surgeons, reading reviews, and speaking with former patients. It’s vital that women feel heard and validated when expressing their discomfort, even if BII remains an unofficial diagnosis. Surgeons like Dr. Roberts are becoming advocates for women, offering hope and relief.
It’s been nearly six weeks since my explant. The difference has been astounding, particularly in terms of reduced inflammation. I shared a side-by-side comparison on social media, highlighting how my face has transformed since the surgery. While my experience is just one among many, numerous posts on Dr. Roberts’s social media showcase women with similar positive outcomes.
My chronic rib and shoulder pain have vanished. Most remarkably, my energy levels have soared. Gone are the days of waking up exhausted and merely getting through the day. Now, I can actively engage with my four kids, pursue my job, and exercise with enthusiasm, no longer reliant on coffee to power through.
I am incredibly grateful to my doctor for believing in my need to remove my implants. I’m also inspired by the courageous women who share their journeys on social media, encouraging others to seek their own truths. I’m reclaiming my life, rediscovering myself, and embracing my flat-chested freedom.
For further insights, check out this related post on home insemination here and learn about some excellent resources on the IVF process here.
Keyphrase: Explant Surgery for Health Improvement
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