I am hellbent about helping women that are struggling with their health, and considering if it could be their breast implants (Botox can cause similar symptoms).  Here are the questions I get asked the most.

How long I had my implants:

13 years (age 22-35)

What type of implant:

McGhan Medical – 240cc saline sub-muscular (all implants impact your health it’s the case that makes you sick, not the inside)

This company was bought out by Allergan who manufactures all implants and Botox

Surgeon:

For implant and explant surgery Dr. Kreidstein in Toronto Canada (he’s a great surgeon but does not have good bedside manner and does not believe in BII).

Explant surgery details:

• I received a full en-bloc capsulectomy with a 9mm incision under my breast
• I did not get a lift
• My recovery was fantastic and I only took pain killers the day of the surgery
• My explant surgery was covered through OHIP

OHIP details (for Ontario residents):

To have your explant covered by OHIP you will need to get a requisition from your family doctor and take this with you during your explant consultation.  My surgeon, Dr. Kreidstein, does not always accept them as covered through OHIP, but HERE is a list of doctors that can be found in Canada or worldwide.  Call their offices for a consult once you obtain your requisition.

NOTE:  I am not sure what other provinces or Countries insurance policies would look like for explant coverage.  You will have to inquire yourself.

My BII symptoms:

• Within the first couple years:
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Weight gain
  • Acne
  • Digestive problems (lots of food allergies)
  • Hormone problems (loss of period for 2 years)
    ***These were addressed with my family physician & hormone specialist and not really an issue again until the final year I had my implants
• During the final year/months before my explant:
  • Extreme muscle & joint pain
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Almost daily nausea
  • Rashes and acne on my face
  • Poor muscle recovery
  • Unexplained weight loss and muscle atrophy (usually it’s weight gain)
  • Dry, flaking skin that I needed to put moisturizer on multiple times a day
  • Recurring hormonal problems (losing my period again)
  • Grey looking skin

Recovery:

All of my symptoms went away within weeks.  EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.  I did have some detoxification support with my Functional Medicine Doctor so I recommend you look up local Functional Medical Doctors for you.

Interesting fact:

I went from losing my period to getting it every 2 weeks for 3 months straight after my explant. I now have regular 28 days periods again.  The quickest most noticeable change was my skin. It started to glow, and is no longer dry.

Testing from Functional Medicine Doctor:

I spent $1200 on blood and urine tests to look for the chemicals inside my body that breast implant were made.  They all came back positive.

Emotional Side/How They Look:

I grieved losing my bigger fuller breasts for weeks before I had them removed, but felt so sick I was willing to take the risk.  I had to face my insecurities of why I got them in the first place, and worried how my husband would feel about me after, and was convinced it would affect our sex life.  Truth be told, my breasts looked worse than I was anticipating post-explant.  They are much smaller and saggy than they were before I got my implants, and they are a little misshaped – which my breasts never were.  When you first come out of surgery they look pretty awful, but they have changed A LOT over the last 9 months, and I am confident they will continue to ‘fluff’.  (Please check out the Facebook Group Healing Breast Implant Illness with Nicole to see pictures to prepare yourself.). I have done a lot of soul searching and have come out a more confident and brave woman, and I’m happy to say this attitude has been instrumental in keeping my sex life alive.   My husband is just happy he has his wife back.

What I have learned is there is nothing sexier than healthy.  Sexy is a mindset.  If you are unsure about your implants and struggling with the idea of taking them out, I want you to know it is YOUR CHOICE whether you feel attractive after.

Let’s be the change you want to see in the world.

Resources:

• Facebook Group Support HERE
• Online info HERE
• My Story on CTV HERE
• How it Affected My Marriage Listen HERE
• How I Changed My Mind & Decided to Love Myself As Is – Listen HERE
• FDA links breast implants to cancer HERE

Watch my real and raw, Letter to All Women below: 

You are loved xo

Ash