Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 , I hate to burst any bubbles for you, because I really want you to continue thinking clearly about what hopes you have for getting better. I know you can! I just want you to be realistic, okay? When I got sick in 1998 and found Ilena's support group, I was given the impression that since I had my saline implants inside my body for only a total of 9 months, that I would heal rather quickly. That did not turn out to be the case for me. I think we've found out since then that healing is a very individual thing, and we cannot say with any certainty how long it will take women to get better. There are so many variables. It actually took me over 4 years to get better, even though I had those damnable things only 9 months. Not fair, is it? But I didn't want you to get the feeling that you won't take very long to heal, because it may take alot longer than you'd like it to. I know I felt that way. I was very impatient to get rid of my brain fog and fatigue, but it hung on for what seemed like forever. I began to despair of ever feeling better again, but God had given me hope, and so I persevered. Please, please don't make the mistake in thinking that the medical profession knows what they are doing when it comes to dealing with breast implants. 99% of them do NOT! They generally do not know anything about proper handling of implants upon removal, (other than to toss them or send them back to the manufacturer), or proper pathology, or testing of pathogens inside the implants, or even detoxing to get your health back. Since they don't even acknowledge that implants cause illness in the first place, they rarely have motivation to look for the appropriate pathogens, which can be fungal in nature, or bacterial. It takes a specialist in implant devices to understand the full spectrum of testing that needs to be done. Detoxing efforts are best pursued with a naturopathic physician, primarily because MD's like to prescribe drugs, and drugs are toxic to the liver. You need less burden on the liver, not more. Naturopathic physicians understand the need to prompt the body into giving up toxins, and will help you find ways to do that safely. I have healed from my implant experience without the services of an MD. I feel that I am much better of as a result, not to mention a little bit better off financially. I am not telling you not to see a doctor...I am telling you to be careful of what to expect from them, because almost ALL of them are absolutely clueless when it comes to implant associated illness and will not take our concerns seriously. I just wanted to help you see what you might be up against. This is not an easy journey, but you can travel this path with help from those of us who have already been there, and we can help make it easier. I am so glad you are willing to speak up to help your friends! That is what it takes...we need to keep on sharing our experiences with the world. Patty --- In , " Mike " <iceman18152000@y...> wrote: > > I've been reading all your messages about detox and how long it > takes to regain your health. After explant how soon do I need to > start to worry about detoxing myself? Does the doctor give > medication or anything to help clean you out after? After your > implants are removed can't the doctor see that something is wrong > with them? I've read a lot about health food and eating right but is > that all I can do to help my body get back to normal? I've only had > my implants for just under four years and I've only been sick for > almost a year now. So in that case I shouldn't take years to get > better...right? I've only been getting really really bad this last > week. My appointment to have a different doctor and have them fast > track me to PS is on Wednesday. So I'm praying I'll have them out > before Thanksgiving. Also have any of you kept your implants? I know > I was told that they are mine to keep and that I should request them > if I want to push the issue of there health problems. Even when I > get them out I don't want to let it go. I have friends that I love > that have watched my health decline over this year and they to have > implants. Now that I know what I know I won't let them go through > what I've had to! I'm sure the doctors here will test the fluid and > let me know what is in my implants but I want to find a good doctor > that I can send them to and have a full report done. I don't want to > turn this into a money issue but my PS told me my implants were safe > and covered. I was told I should have no problems with these saline > implants and if I did they would be covered under five years. I > think this is something that would be under the catagory of going > wrong. Those implants will be the only proof I have of my health > issues. If I never see them how can I prove it was the implants? Yes > I will start to get better but won't a doctor just claim it's > another reason? I just have a lot going through my head right now > and I know getting them out will just be the begining for me...and > my husband! > Thank you all so much for your support. It has made every difference > in my attitude on having my implants removed. So thank you all from > the bottom of my heart! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 , There is alot of info available on detoxing. So much in fact, that it can get quite confusing. You will need to become a good little student once again! You will probably have to do alot of reading and then deciding what you would like to do as a means of pursuing detoxification. We can help give a few guidelines. There are some healing therapies that we've used in our files section that are discussed. You basically have to understand a few concepts, such as stop putting toxic things into the body (processed foods, chemicals in foods, lotions and other skin care products that are toxic, etc), and doing things to prompt the body to give up toxins through the main eliminative channels (the breath, the skin, the urine and feces) and to assist the major organs associated with elimination (the liver, kidneys, lungs, kidneys, skin.) Once you get a few of those therapies under your belt, you can put them into practice on a regular basis and you will see health return gradually. There are books out there to assist with a detox effort. If you do a search on amazon.com for detoxification, you will get scads of them. I can recommend those that I have read (which is a whole library full of them), as well as some websites, such as http://chetday.com/spencedetox.html If you go to our " Links " section, you will find a folder called " Healing Websites " . These are webpages that provide more good info on detoxification efforts. I wish you the best! It will all eventually begin to make alot of sense to you, and will become second nature! Patty --- In , " Mike " <iceman18152000@y...> wrote: > > I've been reading all your messages about detox and how long it > takes to regain your health. After explant how soon do I need to > start to worry about detoxing myself? Does the doctor give > medication or anything to help clean you out after? After your > implants are removed can't the doctor see that something is wrong > with them? I've read a lot about health food and eating right but is > that all I can do to help my body get back to normal? I've only had > my implants for just under four years and I've only been sick for > almost a year now. So in that case I shouldn't take years to get > better...right? I've only been getting really really bad this last > week. My appointment to have a different doctor and have them fast > track me to PS is on Wednesday. So I'm praying I'll have them out > before Thanksgiving. Also have any of you kept your implants? I know > I was told that they are mine to keep and that I should request them > if I want to push the issue of there health problems. Even when I > get them out I don't want to let it go. I have friends that I love > that have watched my health decline over this year and they to have > implants. Now that I know what I know I won't let them go through > what I've had to! I'm sure the doctors here will test the fluid and > let me know what is in my implants but I want to find a good doctor > that I can send them to and have a full report done. I don't want to > turn this into a money issue but my PS told me my implants were safe > and covered. I was told I should have no problems with these saline > implants and if I did they would be covered under five years. I > think this is something that would be under the catagory of going > wrong. Those implants will be the only proof I have of my health > issues. If I never see them how can I prove it was the implants? Yes > I will start to get better but won't a doctor just claim it's > another reason? I just have a lot going through my head right now > and I know getting them out will just be the begining for me...and > my husband! > Thank you all so much for your support. It has made every difference > in my attitude on having my implants removed. So thank you all from > the bottom of my heart! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 , The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is Dr. Blais in Canada. It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't count on your explanting doctor to order the right tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will not pay for your explant! It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of their toxic bags! Hugs, Rogene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Rogene, So Dr. Blais will except implants and do testing on them for me? I live in Virginia but am requesting my implants after explant so I can send them out to get tested. I have also heard that most of the time nothing is found because nothing is really being done. Now do I have to have the capsules also or just get the implants for testing? I just wrote another message because I missed this one...sorry.... I asked in my last email if I should have pictures taken during explant? I saw some of the pictures in the photo file and didn't know I could have them taken. Is that something most PS do if you request it? I'm not sure about what is covered and who is covering it. I have my mom looking up all my old papers from when I had them done. I'm not worried about the cost being covered. No matter what the outcome of the explant is I'm still going to be glad they are out of me. I guess we all learn from out mistakes! I just hope more woman can learn from our mistakes also. If Dr. Blais will test my implants without doing the explant I'd like to get some more information. Thank you so much for all your help! > > , > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > not pay for your explant! > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > their toxic bags! > > Hugs, > > Rogene > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 , Dr. Blais is an expert on failed medical devices. What he does is test all kinds of medical implants and other devices, and he really is an expert on all the differnt brands, styles, and compositions of breast implants. He's been doing this for a very long time and has been an expert witness in court cases. He worked for the Candadian equivalent of the FDA before starting his own business. He is a very kind man, and will take your phone calls personally. He is in Canada, and his info is available in our files. I'll post it for you for convenience. You can have your implants analyzed by the pathology department at your hospital if you so choose--that is what I did, not really knowing what I was supposed to be looking for. I was in the same boat you are now back then, and my experience was that it was pretty much a waste of time and money to have the hospital do anything with them. I think I was charged over $200 for a piece of paper that described what my scar capsule looked like. They didn't do any other analysis of it, and I didn't get to see the capsules themselves. Eventually I sent them to Dr. Blais (who still has them), and he was able to tell me that they were definitely contaminated, but there wasn't much more he could do with them because they were mishandled by the hospital. What you have to be cautious about if you plan on sending your implants to Dr. Blais is to make sure they are not compromised by your explanting surgeon. You don't want them washed in formaldehyde or packed in anything that will contaminate them. Actually, if you call Dr. Blais, he can direct you in the proper manner to have them packaged upon removal from your body. His fees are reasonable if you want them analyzed to see what you are dealing with, in terms of pathogens. Some women just choose not to have them analyzed at all, especially if they are not pursuing legal channels, but want to just start working on a healing program regardless. So, the choice is up to you if you want them back or not, analyzed or not, or how to store them. Remember, they are your personal property! Having the capsules as well will only help you if you choose to get a pathology report, so if you can get them too, all the better! Some doctors will take pics during the surgery if you request it. It all depends on how compliant your doctor wishes to be with your requests. Some aren't so willing. Here is Dr. Blais's info: Pierre Blais, PhD Innoval, 496 Westminster Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2A 2V1 613.728-8688, Fax: 613.728-0687 Patty --- In , " Mike " <iceman18152000@y...> wrote: > > Rogene, > > So Dr. Blais will except implants and do testing on them for me? I > live in Virginia but am requesting my implants after explant so I > can send them out to get tested. I have also heard that most of the > time nothing is found because nothing is really being done. Now do I > have to have the capsules also or just get the implants for testing? > I just wrote another message because I missed this one...sorry.... I > asked in my last email if I should have pictures taken during > explant? I saw some of the pictures in the photo file and didn't > know I could have them taken. Is that something most PS do if you > request it? > > I'm not sure about what is covered and who is covering it. I have my > mom looking up all my old papers from when I had them done. I'm not > worried about the cost being covered. No matter what the outcome of > the explant is I'm still going to be glad they are out of me. I > guess we all learn from out mistakes! I just hope more woman can > learn from our mistakes also. > > If Dr. Blais will test my implants without doing the explant I'd > like to get some more information. > > Thank you so much for all your help! > > > > > > > > , > > > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > > not pay for your explant! > > > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > > their toxic bags! > > > > Hugs, > > > > Rogene > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Rogene - I had asked my explanting doctor's office if they send the implants to a lab for testing, and they said no - it would be too expensive and because they're medical waste it would require some kind of special packaging. I know many women have used Dr. Feng on this site - has anyone gotten their implants from her after surgery? I want to make sure to have mine tested, but I'm not quite sure how to go about this. Sis > > , > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > not pay for your explant! > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > their toxic bags! > > Hugs, > > Rogene > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Patty, Thank you so much for all that information. I am going to get intouch with that doctor. I'm not worried about the cost and I know my husband and parents are behind me 100%. I'll keep you posted on how things go. Thank you again, FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 From what I understand, Dr. Feng has worked with Dr. Blais and knows how to package them to his preferences. I think they package them for a fee, and then either give them to you, or send them to Dr. Blais. Did you ask their office? The best bet is to talk to Dr. Blais, or print off the file we have with his instructions for packaging and follow that. Patty --- In , " auntsisnj " <auntsisnj@l...> wrote: > > Rogene - I had asked my explanting doctor's office if they send the > implants to a lab for testing, and they said no - it would be too > expensive and because they're medical waste it would require some > kind of special packaging. I know many women have used Dr. Feng on > this site - has anyone gotten their implants from her after surgery? > I want to make sure to have mine tested, but I'm not quite sure how > to go about this. > > Sis > > > --- In , Rogene S <saxony01@y...> wrote: > > > > , > > > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > > not pay for your explant! > > > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > > their toxic bags! > > > > Hugs, > > > > Rogene > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Sis, If you're using Dr. Feng, I'm sure she will know how to send your implants to Dr. Blais. I'd suggest calling her office and asking. There are packaging requirement. I don't think they are hard to meet though. Dr. Blais' office can give you packinging requirements too. If there's a chance that you will litigate, you should not take custody of your implants before they're tested. They could always claim you substituted other implants. We've posted Dr. Blais' contact info repeatedly. Right now, my hubby is distracting me and I can't think straight! . . . eeeeeeek! Hugs, Rogene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Hi Patty, I asked Dr. Feng's office if they sent them to a lab for testing and they said no, it was too expensive and required a certain procedure - although I should check back with them and see if they will send them to Dr. Blais if I pay a fee. Thanks for the input. Sis > > > > > > , > > > > > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > > > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > > > > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > > > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > > > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > > > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > > > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > > > > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > > > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > > > > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > > > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > > > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > > > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > > > not pay for your explant! > > > > > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > > > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > > > their toxic bags! > > > > > > Hugs, > > > > > > Rogene > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Sis, You could also just ask for them back and package them yourself for Dr. Blais, although you might need your husband's help to do this. I am sure the last thing you will want to deal with after explant is boxing those nasty things up and getting to the post office. But in any case, his instructions are listed fairly clearly in this file in our files section: http://f6.grp.fs.com/v1/QOhmQ_LMCuvfk5A1JpznUOZGGkKMC1lb7isO- 12XffPBKGsgFNOo-CjqNPUWZKA7XIZ_NwGO738cXbPRNyrO/Dr.%20Blais% 20instructions%20for%20sending%20implants But for sure, ask Dr. Feng's office if they will do it for you if you pay them a fee. You might even want to print off that file above for their reference. Patty > > > > > > > > , > > > > > > > > The best doctor for having your implants analyzed is > > > > Dr. Blais in Canada. > > > > > > > > It appears that plastic surgeons aren't interested in > > > > what's inside the capsules or the implants. Don't > > > > count on your explanting doctor to order the right > > > > tests. One doctor, who does many explants told me that > > > > his pathologist NEVER found contaminated implants. > > > > > > > > My contention is that, if the pathologist NEVER found > > > > contamination, he/she wasn't looking for it! > > > > > > > > When you say " covered " for five years, do you mean by > > > > the manufacturer? . . . The manufacturer's warranty is > > > > good ONLY if you relace your implants. Even then there > > > > are a lot of catches! The manufacturer definitely will > > > > not pay for your explant! > > > > > > > > It's a bummer! . . . I wish they had to pay the health > > > > care costs of EVERY woman who becomes ill because of > > > > their toxic bags! > > > > > > > > Hugs, > > > > > > > > Rogene > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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