Looking into Breast Implant Removal (En Bloc/total Capsulectomy) - Miami, FL

This past year since I last posted, I saw doctor #2 and doctor #3 again. With more knowledge under my belt and way less anxiety I was able to make a better decision as to whom I would trust to do my explant. I went with the female doctor #3, Dr. Diedre Marshall in South Miami. I happened to text her out of the blue one day and asked her if she did en bloc capsule removal. Her response put me at complete ease and I knew that she was the one. I gathered as much medical evidence I could from three of my doctors that had been treating me while I had my implants for my various ailments and submitted them to Dr. Marshall's office so that they could file an insurance claim with BCBS on my behalf. They ended up denying my claim, but I went ahead with the surgery and paid out of pocket. My surgery took place at Surgical Park in Dadeland and I was a little nervous but at total peace with my decision. I had looked forward to that day for so long, but had also dreaded it because of how much my life changed after my first surgery. I figured that even if nothing changed as a result of my explant, at least I would never have to worry about the more serious health consequences that breast implants can cause later down the road. I would never forget what someone once told me about her situation...she told me that she had been sick for years and was eventually diagnosed with lupus as a result of her implants. She told me not to wait like she had. She actually took action quicker than I did and had her surgery with Dr. Feng in June of 2016 after learning about BII.
It's been almost 7 weeks since my en bloc and lift and I don't feel much different in terms of some of the things I had been complaining about. I have read lots of stories of women claiming to feel miraculously different right after their explants, but this didn't happened to me. I have actually been quite tired, less tolerant to some foods, and a little on the depressed side (but I'm ok). Some say anesthesia can do this to you, but I could also be coming to terms with "what's next" after dealing with this dilemma for the last three years. I have to say that I am optimistic and thankful that this chapter in my life with implants is over but it will take some adjusting. I look at pictures of me with my implants and I can't believe that I had such big breasts at one time! It got to the point that I hated how they looked and how they felt so unnatural to the touch when I would lay down on my back as I learned more and more about how dangerous they could be and how many women are suffering as a result of getting them.
With all the stuff that was on my mind to prepare myself for being out of commission for a few weeks, I forgot to tell my doctor to keep my implants. Unfortunately she ended up disposing them but she told me my implants looked intact.. We did discuss that if she saw anything suspicious in my capsule that she would send them to pathology, but there was no need to do so. She sent me the pictures of my implants and my capsules a few days later. She said that my capsules were thick and it took her longer than expected to get everything out, but she knew how important it was for me to get those suckers all out!!! I had drains for about 3-4 days with minimal swelling and bruising. No prescription pain meds, only over the counter stuff. I also didn't experience any of the neuropathy or weird nerve sensations in my arms or legs/feet as a result of the surgery! Prior to surgery I was about a saggy large B/small C. With my lift and Mentor 300 cc smooth moderate cohesive gel implants I ranged from a D to a full C (depending on weight fluctuations and swelling). After explant and lift, I dropped down to an A/small B. I've never been this small, but I'm doing ok with the change. She did a great job with the lift because I had a large pocket to close up. I don't have any dents and both sides are symmetrical. Lots of sensation and nerve regeneration going on in the areolas! Feels like I'm breastfeeding if that gives you an idea. I have a little wrinkling on top but I expect that to fluff up. I hope my story can help some of you out there going through breast implant illness or just contemplating explanting for preventative reasons. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will try to respond as quickly as possible.

Just when I thought I would be 100% ready to proceed with this surgery, I get some disturbing results from some blood work from my physical. Everything seems to be normal with the exception of my abnormal EKG which shows my Right Bundle Branch Block and very high levels of B6 in my blood. I already knew about my heart condition. I was shocked to find this out because I figured I would be low if anything. At least that is what my last two Genova MAP and NutrEval tests revealed. Those tests basically use an algorithm using your urine or combination of blood and urine to figure out the amount of B vitamins, minerals, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10, omega fats, etc. your body needs. It's specific and tailored to the individual. My last test indicated I needed 50 mg of B6 a day. I substituted B6 with only about 5-12 mg of the active form, P-5-P daily. The only thing I can figure from this is that I may be lacking in other vitamin cofactors like B1, B2, B3, magnesium, and Vitamin C and my body is not absorbing the B6 at the cellular level or I am consuming too much B6 between the supplementation and my high in B6 diet. Either way it can be dangerous and cause neuropathy which I already suffer from, and permanent nerve damage. I was under the impression that P-5-P couldn't cause high B6 and nerve damage, but I am now finding out that it very well can. The stuff we learn about B vitamins being water soluble and harmless at high levels apparently is not 100% accurate. Another thing I am looking into before going through with a surgery under GA is finding out exactly what medications were administered to me during my first surgery. I would like to know if I was given anything that might have caused adverse reactions such as a fluoroquinolone or nitrous oxide. These two can cause neuropathy. The fluoroquinolones can cause horrible long-term problems to the CNS. I just want to have as much information as possible before I put myself through surgery again so that I can speak to the anesthesiologist and feel more comfortable about my decision.

So last week I went to see a plastic surgeon that not only reached out to me on Real Self to answer a question I posted, but after calling to schedule an appointment with his office, returned my phone call to discuss my situation. Over the phone he told me that some do not do well with silicone, and according to some of the symptoms I was having, I could have some non-specified fibromyalgia things going on and the best thing would be to remove them and see how it goes. When I went in to see him in person, the wait time was practically none existent. He took his time with me to answer all of my questions and address all of my concerns about removing my capsules, my genetic issues in relation to not absorbing my B vitamins very well which have most likely led to my peripheral neuropathy, and anesthesia. He seemed SO knowledgeable from how the nerves work to why I could be experiencing the carpal tunnel-like symptoms which align with what my chiropractor has been telling me about what's going on with my muscles in my neck, chest, and shoulders. These days I have less and less confidence in doctors because it seems like half don't even know what they're doing anymore. They don't think outside the box, and really lack in diagnostic skills. If something doesn't show up on a lab, they tell you to go home and be grateful because nothing is wrong with you. He told me right off the bat that I had a genetic issue without me saying a word. I wish he was around when I was trying to figure this stuff out with no help from my PCP and neurologist. So he examined me and also commented on the size of my implants, but was surprised to find that I had enough tissue to hold my own!!! He said that he wouldn't necessarily recommend the lift but it was up to me. I forgot to mention that doctor #2 said the same thing about me having enough tissue (probably a B cup after explant). He told me that we could do the following 1) remove under local sedation (no nitrous oxide due to MTHFR) 2) remove implants and capsules under general 3) remove implants, capsules, and lift under general anesthesia. He wrote me a prescription note for me to see a Cardiologist about my Right Bundle Branch Block for general anesthesia clearance. He also offered to write a prescription note to the doctor that implanted me to see if he could do it free of charge. Apparently they are good friends. I politely declined, and he also agreed later on in the discussion that he wouldn't be the best choice because he doesn't have much experience in removing capsules, reconstruction, etc. and probably wouldn't be so open. When I had my surgery I did address some of the strange symptoms and he told me they were normal and that they would pass. I went a year later for a consult to remove them and he told me again that these things would pass. That is when I decided that if I were to proceed with explanting, that I would go with someone else. I like this 3rd doctor very much, and he has a lot of experience. About 35 years of experience. I appreciated him being honest with me, and pretty much telling me straight forward that I need to remove the implants. His staff seems to be great too. Very friendly and approachable. He gave me a great quote if I decided to go ahead with the surgery using him as my doctor.