My Story by Sjeanine I had implants for nearly 15 years and I never was unhappy with them at all. I was just so happy to have boobs since I had always been so small all my life. I had excellent health until about 7 or 8 years ago when I started developing little symptoms of pain in the joints that gradually got worse. It wasn't until my "excellent" health started suddenly having holes appear...little by little I was having one problem after another until I finally started worrying about why "my" immune system suddenly went haywire! I started coughing all night, began having chest pains which led me to ER a year and a half ago. Suddenly, I developed eye problems and having trouble swallowing. All of this happened gradually over the past 7 years or so and I began running back and forth to doctors constantly! I was always tired and fatigued and caught the flu three times in 3 months. I started having bad insomnia and I had so many symptoms that I felt were all silicone related. I was sick all the time and my joints started aching so I was needing cortisone shots, making "ER runs" for chest pains and many little things that are to numerous to list.Then, there was the irregular ANA's . I spent many of my days crying. My son kept asking me what was wrong and wanted to try and console me but I couldn't tell him what was wrong; he was only 5. I did some research since I knew there was some controversy out there about breast implants, and sure enough, all of my symptoms (and even more now) matched. I knew it was the implants making me sick and I wanted them out. I really believed it when my PS told me these implants would outlast me...that I'd go to the grave with them. I now wish I never had gotten them in the first place but I had never read even one negative thing about them before I already had them. It would be interesting to know how many women do great with implants when they first got them, only to later find out they were causing them problems. I,too, thought mine were great when I first got them. I loved how I looked in clothes and I definitely got whistles and looks from guys everywhere I went. I loved them and never had any problems with mine for years. I had excellent health and never filed with Dow or MDL when we first had a chance to cuz I felt all "those" women were just wanting to cause problems and trying to make money by filing lawsuits. How many women find the "Toxic Discovery Site" and this Explantation site, before it is too late? Looking good was a hard price to pay for such horrible health. Sure, I got noticed Sjeanine with her implants - "It's nice to not feel the constant pressure of something "in there". I could always feel them even though they were under the muscle." but in the end I married a guy who isnt even a "breast" man. He could care less about the size and all guys who did care about boobs, weren't the right type men for me. If only I had realized, if guys couldn't accept me how I was, then they were the ones who had a problem, not me. I think my biggest fear of having explantation surgery was that I was so anemic and had heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The anxiety was terrible, as I had began looking at, calling, interviewing, consulting with many PS's everywere, including Canada. I was desperately trying to find a PS that knew how to do the explant via en bloc method, and at a price I could afford. I had nearly given up on finding a doctor who I felt I could trust and in finding someone who could do the surgery correctly and at a price I could afford. Things started coming together and I had a few emails from women from "Explantation.com's Forum", recommending doctors the girls knew about or went to.I went on consultations with some recommended surgeons, but with poor insurance coverage in this area, and no way to pay the required fees, it was looking hopeless. We live paycheck to paycheck and I'd been praying constantly about all this. I basically put everything in the Lord's hands telling Him I trusted Him and would wait, however long it takes for Him to answer. I finally found a very reputable doctor who had done many explants with capsulectomies and the charges were low compared to most others. The quotes I received were exactly what I was ultimately charged...nothing hidden. With her, I only had to wait about 3 weeks for my explantation. I received so much support and emails throughout all this ordeal for which I am grateful. I had my explantation in sunny Tucson and my explant surgery was with Dr. Gwen Maxwell on Wednesday, March 25, 2004. (Also Lynn's Dr. and on the recommended surgeon's list.) The capsule on my left side was stuck down to my chest wall and had to be scraped away, so I went through some pain on that side. I did need drains and them removed after 2 days. I am still recovering from the surgery, but things continue to change over time. Sjeanine just after removal. Sjeanine, at 2 weeks after explantation. Side view, at 2 weeks after explantation. Side and front views, 4 weeks after explantation. "I'd give anything if I could go back and never have had breast augmentation done. I wish I'd have just accepted myself the way God made me." I just want to get well now. I am not so concerned about my looks any longer...at least not my breasts. I will miss them after nearly 15 years, but, it is not worth losing my health over. I used to brag and say how great I looked and how happy I was and how they caused me no problems. Little by little though it crept up on me....eating away at my health like a bad cancer. Too bad we're so easily influenced by others comments when we were younger. Just like they say, "I grow too soon old, and too wise, too late." I am so very relieved to not have the constant worry of a rupture and feeling like a walking time bomb. I am just happy this is behind me and that I am able to share my story and photos. My hope and prayer is that women researching implants will read our stories and know there are two sides to this issue. Since I was unable to afford a lift, I felt it was important to share my photos, so women who are my age (47) can see the results of explantation, without a lift, after having implants for nearly 15 years. Blessings, peace and love Sjeanine My thanks to Lynn, for she checked Dr. Maxwell's credentials out totally before going to her so I never had to! She did all the leg work so that I could come in later for the "boob work." ;)