Saline Implants for 11 Years, Realized How Toxic They Are, Explant and Capsulectomy Under General Anesthesia - Santa Rosa, CA

All of us share these feelings...all we can do is love ourselves, move forward to be the healthiest we can be, take pride in our natural bodies (which are beautiful, I finally realize), and support each other.

Congratulations...you will get your health back starting 8/3! I have had joint and nerve problems in my shoulder, neck, and back areas for the past year or so (including frozen shoulder), which I finally realized were related to my saline implants. I could also smell the chemicals from the shell coming through my armpits...I wasn't positive about that until after my explant last week on 6/14...the day after the surgery, the chemical smell was gone. I would definitely have the capsules removed because they hold a lot of the toxic stuff...you don't want to have to have another surgery later to remove that, and it is not healthy to have it in your body. My surgeon said it was easy to remove (though she didn't know until the surgery), and I'm really glad I had it taken out. Several plastic surgeons told me the capsules could stay in my body, but my research and my own common sense told me they should NOT stay in. Plastic surgeons never tell women about that capsules will form before they put the implants in (mine only said there was a possibility...b.s....damn them. I was afraid of the general anesthesia, but it was such an easy experience and I felt fine coming out (no nausea, no sore throat from the airway, just tired). I even told the nurses, "Wow, this was so easy, I would do it again." One week post op now, I can't believe how easy it was (I only took a few Tylenol for soreness). I wish I had done it sooner, instead of letting them fester in my body. I have not gotten the pathology reports back on the implants/capsules; hopefully at tomorrow's follow up appt. Well, I am so happy it is done and I already feel better....I can breathe better w/o those heavy poison bags sitting on my chest. I would avoid plastic surgeons for the explant and go with an actual breast surgeon (female preferred) who specializes in mastectomies...get a referral from your primary dr. She will be focused on breast HEALTH and will guide you to restoring it properly. Also, insurance will probably cover it if you are having health issues (I said "bone pain," at the advice of my surgeon to guarantee coverage. I am so happy to be free of those poison bags and I applaud you for taking the steps to restore your health. I will be happy to offer support as you go through this journey...best of health to you.

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. Your symptoms sound scary! I'm glad you are getting better. My symptoms are different -- I have major fatigue, body swelling, digestive issues/absorption issues, and bad hair loss. My case is complex because I also had a very unusual childhood (extreme abuse) and never got therapy for it until this year when the health issues became really bad. My therapist is a trauma/PTSD specialist and says that emotions can totally manifest as health issues if not dealt with. So it's hard to know what is causing what; however, some symptoms are starting to improve with therapy which gives me some hope that not everything is related to the implants. I will take all your advise into consideration and see how the next few weeks go. Thank you so much for you input!