research has revealed what went wrong with my implants

[Guest guest]

I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to Dr. Blais. The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab took a long time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out that a test had been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I was surprised because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the lab. When they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that while my implants had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed evidence of an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given immediate reconstruction using "expanders". Those expanders have a port in which saline is introduced by a needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process was very painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my chest...actually closer to under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been introduced when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the size that I wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were replaced by permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule that had grown for almost 6 months!

It is now accepted as "standard of care" to have these capsules removed before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up to the surgeon! So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my lower joints, have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a cane...had brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc, etc, and all because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to cancer. Another issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy. Since my immune system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very hard for me to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I do with all this information? In many ways life will never be the same...cancer tried to destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE VANITY?

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne ...

What an experience you've endured ...

May I have your permission to share this story with our online

support group? It is very revealing about many things!

One young friend of mine who had had saline implants for 6 years ...

had become tweaked to one side ... could no longer stand up

straight ...

When her saline implants were removed ... it was discovered that the

scar tissue around one of her implants had not grown around it ...

but was more like tenacles that had attached to her ribcage ...

She said when he cut one of them loose during the explant (she had

local and a drowsy pill only) ... her entire body changed positions

and she could breathe more easily than in years.

How could these devices ever be remotely called " safe. "

With love to all,

Ilena

www.BreastImplantAwareness.org

> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to

Dr. Blais.

> The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab

took a long

> time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out

that a test had

> been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I

was surprised

> because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the

lab. When

> they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that

while my implants

> had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed

evidence of

> an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His

> explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given

immediate reconstruction using

> " expanders " . Those expanders have a port in which saline is

introduced by a

> needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process

was very

> painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my

chest...actually closer to

> under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been

introduced

> when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the

size that I

> wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were

replaced by

> permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule

that had

> grown for almost 6 months!

> It is now accepted as " standard of care " to have these capsules

removed

> before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up

to the surgeon!

> So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my

lower joints,

> have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a

cane...had

> brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc,

etc, and all

> because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to

cancer. Another

> issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy.

Since my immune

> system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very

hard for me

> to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I

do with all

> this information? In many ways life will never be the

same...cancer tried to

> destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE

VANITY?

> Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Unbelievable! Re: research has revealed what went wrong with my implants Hi Jeanne ...What an experience you've endured ... May I have your permission to share this story with our online support group? It is very revealing about many things!One young friend of mine who had had saline implants for 6 years ... had become tweaked to one side ... could no longer stand up straight ...When her saline implants were removed ... it was discovered that the scar tissue around one of her implants had not grown around it ... but was more like tenacles that had attached to her ribcage ...She said when he cut one of them loose during the explant (she had local and a drowsy pill only) ... her entire body changed positions and she could breathe more easily than in years.How could these devices ever be remotely called "safe."With love to all,Ilenawww.BreastImplantAwareness.org> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to Dr. Blais. > The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab took a long > time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out that a test had > been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I was surprised > because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the lab. When > they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that while my implants > had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed evidence of > an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His > explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given immediate reconstruction using > "expanders". Those expanders have a port in which saline is introduced by a > needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process was very > painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my chest..actually closer to > under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been introduced > when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the size that I > wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were replaced by > permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule that had > grown for almost 6 months!> It is now accepted as "standard of care" to have these capsules removed > before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up to the surgeon! > So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my lower joints, > have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a cane...had > brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc, etc, and all > because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to cancer. Another > issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy. Since my immune > system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very hard for me > to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I do with all > this information? In many ways life will never be the same...cancer tried to > destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE VANITY?> Jeanne

[Guest guest]

la,

Was your son born after you were implanted?

I've started a group for the families of children

affected by silicone implants (

SiliconeKids). . . I'd love for you to share your

experience with the group.

I'm sure there are things that can be done for the

kids, if the parents only made the connection, knew

what to look for, and which doctors know how to help.

I'm sure there are plenty of alternative health

treatments that could be used as well, if we just

understood the problem better.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to

Dr. Blais.

> The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab took

a long

> time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out that

a test had

> been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I

was surprised

> because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the

lab. When

> they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that while

my implants

> had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed

evidence of

> an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His

> explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given

immediate reconstruction using

> " expanders " . Those expanders have a port in which saline is

introduced by a

> needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process

was very

> painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my

chest...actually closer to

> under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been

introduced

> when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the

size that I

> wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were

replaced by

> permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule

that had

> grown for almost 6 months!

> It is now accepted as " standard of care " to have these capsules

removed

> before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up

to the surgeon!

> So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my

lower joints,

> have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a

cane...had

> brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc,

etc, and all

> because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to

cancer. Another

> issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy.

Since my immune

> system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very

hard for me

> to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I do

with all

> this information? In many ways life will never be the

same...cancer tried to

> destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE

VANITY?

> Jeanne

[Guest guest]

> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to

Dr. Blais.

> The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab took

a long

> time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out that

a test had

> been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I

was surprised

> because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the

lab. When

> they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that while

my implants

> had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed

evidence of

> an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His

> explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given

immediate reconstruction using

> " expanders " . Those expanders have a port in which saline is

introduced by a

> needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process

was very

> painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my

chest...actually closer to

> under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been

introduced

> when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the

size that I

> wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were

replaced by

> permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule

that had

> grown for almost 6 months!

> It is now accepted as " standard of care " to have these capsules

removed

> before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up

to the surgeon!

> So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my

lower joints,

> have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a

cane...had

> brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc,

etc, and all

> because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to

cancer. Another

> issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy.

Since my immune

> system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very

hard for me

> to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I do

with all

> this information? In many ways life will never be the

same...cancer tried to

> destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE

VANITY?

> Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Dearest Cheryl:

There is nothing vain about wanting to look normal again. Darling the doctor

is to blame, they know that women who have cancer should never be implanted

with any devices. I have tried so hard here to educate doctors not to

implant women who have had cancer. It seems that all they care about is

money.

The expanders were used to stretch the skin, but should have been removed

along with the capsules. Sometime capsules do not form and if they do they

are as thin as Kleenex.

I'm so sorry that you are having all these health problems, it seems so sad.

You will get better, but it will take time. We will be here for you to give

you plenty of love and support. Please stay away from toxic people and

stress.

Love you....Lea

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``````````````````````````

Re: research has revealed what went wrong with my

implants

>

>

>

>> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to

> Dr. Blais.

>> The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab took

> a long

>> time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out that

> a test had

>> been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I

> was surprised

>> because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the

> lab. When

>> they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that while

> my implants

>> had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed

> evidence of

>> an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His

>> explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given

> immediate reconstruction using

>> " expanders " . Those expanders have a port in which saline is

> introduced by a

>> needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process

> was very

>> painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my

> chest...actually closer to

>> under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been

> introduced

>> when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the

> size that I

>> wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were

> replaced by

>> permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule

> that had

>> grown for almost 6 months!

>> It is now accepted as " standard of care " to have these capsules

> removed

>> before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up

> to the surgeon!

>> So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my

> lower joints,

>> have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a

> cane...had

>> brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc,

> etc, and all

>> because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to

> cancer. Another

>> issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy.

> Since my immune

>> system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very

> hard for me

>> to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I do

> with all

>> this information? In many ways life will never be the

> same...cancer tried to

>> destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE

> VANITY?

>> Jeanne

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by

> licensed health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed

> health care professional before commencing any medical treatment.

>

> " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you.

> Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live

> a happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing,

> two-time Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanne

You, like so many others, were dealt a terrible blow. It always

makes me sad to see women who had implants as reconstruction to

masectomy get sick from the implants. You were already dealing with

the stress and heartache of cancer only to suffer more because of

the implants. However, I do think that you can improve your health

significantly. It may take some time, but there is still so many

things to try. And sometimes it takes a long time to finally get

things moving. What things have are you doing now or have you done

since explant? What symptoms are better and which ones aren't?

Maybe we can help you decide what steps to take next. Keep faith

that things will improve. I know that 4 years ago I thought I was

dying. I honestly think I might have died had I not gotten the

implants out. Today I am better in so many ways and I am

continually trying methods to resolve any lingering issues of

fatigue and muscle spasm that I get off and on.

Hugs

kathy

> I was explanted on Jan 19 of this year. I sent the implants to

Dr. Blais.

> The pocket surrounding them was sent to a local lab. The lab

took a long

> time forwarding the capsules. I phoned the lab and found out

that a test had

> been ordered on the capsules which required a 60-day culture. I

was surprised

> because my explanting doctor never told me any results from the

lab. When

> they finally forwarded them to Dr. Blais, he discovered that

while my implants

> had not broken and probably had not leaked, the capsules showed

evidence of

> an extraordinary organism, which would cause infection. His

> explanation---when I had my mastectomy in 1995, I was given

immediate reconstruction using

> " expanders " . Those expanders have a port in which saline is

introduced by a

> needle, until expansion of the implant is complete. The process

was very

> painful, and at the end, I had 2 huge hard balls on my

chest...actually closer to

> under my neck! Dr. Blais thinks that the organism may have been

introduced

> when I was injected with saline 5 times before getting to be the

size that I

> wanted to be. But the catch---when these temporary implants were

replaced by

> permanent ones, the surgeon never removed that original capsule

that had

> grown for almost 6 months!

> It is now accepted as " standard of care " to have these capsules

removed

> before new implants are put in place...then it was pretty much up

to the surgeon!

> So, for the past 3 years I have been in increasing pain in my

lower joints,

> have difficulty walking, have a brace on my leg, walk with a

cane...had

> brain fog, such dry, cracked skin that peeled and flaked, etc,

etc, and all

> because I had hoped implants would restore what I had lost to

cancer. Another

> issue was the simultaneous expansion process with chemotherapy.

Since my immune

> system was already compromised by cancer, it was probably very

hard for me

> to ward off other infections. Now, the question is...what do I

do with all

> this information? In many ways life will never be the

same...cancer tried to

> destroy me and the implants took away what was left. WHAT PRICE

VANITY?

> Jeanne