Changed colors on Lynn's new page ... Readyto make some more!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the suggestions ...

and for any other of your stories you want to send me.

Love from Ilena

[Guest guest]

Hi Ilena,

I tried personally emailing you but for some reason it wouldn't

work. Here is my story, thanks for making it public on your site. -

PH

This is my devastating story of saline breast implants.

Hi, My name is Perfect Health, which is not the current status of my

health, but rather what has been robbed from me through breast

augmentation. I sometimes can't even believe the condition I am in,

as for years I worked out religiously and ate nutritiously, taking

pride in my health and appearance. After nursing two children, at

the age of 32, I felt the urge for symmetrical and slightly fuller

breasts. All my life I have been small, yet proportionate for my

body. Unfortunately I let the media and my drive for " perfection "

guide me into the dangerous world of breast augmentation.

I researched the risks associated with surgery itself, the risks

associated with saline implants and looked for the " right " plastic

surgeon. Time and again I was told or read that saline implants are

safe. My plastic surgeon told me repeatedly that there was no proof

regarding a connection between autoimmune disease and implants and I

wouldn't have to worry at all, especially with saline implants. I

was told that in the unlikely event that they would rupture, pure

saline would be absorbed into my body.

Unfortunately, the surgery did not go as well as hoped. I developed

a hemotoma within hours after surgery and so they wheeled me back in

and put me under again. The weeks to follow involved some of the

most excruciating pain I have ever experienced, even with pills and a

pain pump! I seriously thought I might die. I was placed on heavy

duty antibiotics and a litany of drugs.

I eventually recovered (or so I thought) and six months later began

bloating every time I would eat. I thought this was odd as I had

never experienced anything like it before. I went to a

gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with IBS and said there was

nothing they could do, just eat more fiber. I asked him if this

could be related to my breast implants and he said no. So, for 6

years I struggled with discomfort after every meal, believing that

nothing could be done. It eventually got to the point that my body

seemed to be rejecting every bite.

I went to a different gastroenterologist, explained my symptoms and

asked if it could be related to implants, noting that my symptoms

occurred within months after surgery. He again said " Absolutely

not " . It was determined that day that I had small intestinal

bacterial overgrowth and was lactose and fructose intolerant. I

became very strict with my diet yet was still miserable.

Within a month I developed anemia and from there everything went

downhill. I became so fatigued I couldn't get out of bed. I lost

vision in my left eye and felt intoxicated the majority of the day.

I didn't recognize myself at all. I went from an energetic woman

with a master's degree and wonderful job, to a woman who could barely

dress herself.

I fortunately found Dr. Kolb of Atlanta, who said she would

explant me. One thing you should know about getting implants...if

you at any time need removal, most surgeons refuse to explant unless

you get a replacement. Knowing full heartedly that my illness was

due to the implants and that I didn't want another set, I had no

choice but to go to Dr. Kolb 9 hours away.

Dr. Kolb explained that my intestinal problems were indeed due to the

implants, as she has seen that occur hundreds of times. She put me

on an antifungal, removed my implants and sent them for testing. The

lab report came back saying my valves were defective and my left

implant had degraded.

My bloating has now been explained to me in this way. I was told

that everyone has fungus and yeast in their body. Because my valves

were defective (a common occurrence), the yeast migrates up into the

implant where it has the perfect environment to breed. It then flows

back through the defective valve, invading the body. Fungus was

causing my bloating and the implants were the factories that were

mass producing it.

Besides losing my vision, my cognition, my soul and my energy, I also

became postmenopausal. Silicone shells are responsible for

increasing the cancerous form of estrogen which is now at a high

level for me. Because of this, I most likely cannot have another

child. Urine tests prior to explant also revealed high levels of

toluene and benzene, both carcinogenic chemicals. You can't imagine

the feeling of knowing these things may still be circulating inside

your body, wreaking havoc.

I have been explanted for 6 months and have literally cried every

day. My life has changed from being full of family, friends, work

and fun to a life where I am lucky if I have enough energy to get to

the grocery store. I feel very disabled and miss the old me. My

poor husband and children have suffered in their own ways due to the

hazards of implants. Don't think for a minute that your surgery

won't affect others. Had I known the horrendous affects implants

would have on my personal and professional life, there's no way on

earth I would have done it. For any of you contemplating surgery,

please think twice and learn from my treacherous mistake. - PH

--- In , " Ilena Rose " <ilena.rose@...>

wrote:

>

> Thanks for the suggestions ...

>

> and for any other of your stories you want to send me.

>

> Love from Ilena

>