1994 Reports are beginning to surface about diseases related to implants. I seek out a local support group involved with implants. I am fearful of attending, but much to my surprise, they are normal women like me, some are cancer survivors. Not a stripper in the bunch! I absorb the information, but remain, head in the sand, feet planted firmly on the ground. I do not believe I have problems related to implants. Some women leave the meetings in tears. They don't want to hear this. I don't either. My friends in the group stick by me and do the best they can to answer questions. They are going through this as well. To this day, they remain friends. 1996 I must do something. An area on the right side of the implants is bulging out. It has for some time. Back to the original surgeon. Mammogram taken. Rupture of both implants, he says. The implants must immediately be removed. My heart sinks. I start shaking. This was not supposed to happen! I did not sign up for more surgery! My breasts are now part of who I am. I will have to tell my boyfriend, I have no choice. I decide to consult with another surgeon. The decision to replace or remove is mine alone. I agonize. I am now 46. I want breasts. I am so fearful of looking deformed. The new surgeon informs me that "you will probably look worse than you did prior to implants if they are not replaced". OK, I bite like a tuna. Sign me up. I am getting married! I need boobies! Surgery is performed. There is no type of detection done for silicone migration. This time, Mentor Siltex 225cc. Sounds small compared to implants these days, but I am a tiny person. I am again, full 36 C. A Benelli lift is also performed at the same time. I am pleated and scarred around the areola. The breasts are really not any higher. In fact, it gives a rather "flattened" look to the breasts. But at least I have breasts. The doctor tells me he got out all the silicone, it was in the capsule.