Bravo Kacey ... Dallas News on Her Story

[Guest guest]

Woman's Breast Implants Go Wrong

DALLAS -- Kacey Long spent part of Wednesday at Southern Methodist

University in Dallas telling a group of young women about her health

problems, and warning the audience about the dangers of extreme

physical makeovers. She told the group that breast implants nearly

cost her life.

Long showed photographs of herself when she was younger and healthy.

Then, at age 19, she opted for breast implants.

" I thought that getting plastic surgery was the way to get perfect

proportions, the perfect body, " Long said.

Within three months, Long knew something was wrong with her body.

" I slept 16 hours a day, and I began to have joint pain, " she

said. " I couldn't quite tell you what it was. I honestly thought I

had bone cancer at one time. "

The pain and complications increased. Doctors thought the physical

problems were related to the implants. Long had the implants removed

about 18 months ago.

Since the removal, Long's health has improved, although she remains

severely disabled. She decided to take her warning on a lecture tour.

" I just don't want anybody to go through this, " she said. " I don't

want some innocent people to think, 'I'll just get (implants). If I

get sick, I'll take them out.' That doesn't guarantee you're going

to get better. "

Long took her message to college campuses across the United States.

About 5 percent of female students are undergoing cosmetic surgery,

and the numbers continue to increase. Some experts said the growing

cosmetic business is a reflection of how women and Western culture

view body images.

" I mean, think about the craze for makeovers, " psychologist Cathey

Soutter said. " We're making over houses, people, all the time.

There's a notion you can always be better, have a new look. "

Long said her experience proves that a new look isn't always better

Long also will testify before the Food and Drug Administration about

the dangers of breast implants.

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Long will appear Thursday at the University of Texas at Dallas. Her

address begins at noon in the McDermott Library.

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www.ImplantsOut.com

Kacey's Website

www.BreastImplantAwareness.org