Photo above: What remained in my ‘left’ silicone breast implant

What did it take for my breast implants to end up like that?

1. Failure by Health Canada and my implanting plastic surgeon to notify me that the breast implants I got were RECALLED within a year of getting them.
2. Health Canada licensing such high risk devices.
3. Local specialists, including a general surgeon and two gynaecologists dismissing localized lumps, masses and enlarged lymph nodes as NOT being related to my implants, over a 16 year period.
4. Willful Blindness on the part of a local surgeon that didn’t want to get involved.
5. Me knowing NOTHING about my breast implants.
6. Me putting trust in doctors that knew nothing about my breast implants.

BE INFORMED .. and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY-SPEAK

Women that have breast implants should:
– Know signs and symptoms of device failure and breast implant illness.
– Have the integrity of their implants checked, following manufacture and FDA recommendations (MRI 3 years after being implanted, and every 2 years subsequently). My rupture was diagnosed by ultrasound; MRI confirmed rupture and showed where the silicone, from extra capsular rupture, was within me.

There are some great information and support forums on Facebook. I highly recommend joining.

Closed groups:
Canada:
Breast Implant Failure & Illness – Canada
International:
Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole
Medical Device Problems

Public groups: (please know all of the posts can be seen by anyone on Facebook)
Pursuing Explantation – My path to health after breast implants
Silicone Breast Implant Survivors

Closed groups – Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
ALCL in Women With Breast Implants BIA-ALCL
BIA-ALCL Clinician / Patient Discussion Group

Information sites on Facebook:
Breast Implant Victim Advocacy (B.I.V.A.)
Bii Aware – Breast Implant Illness Awareness

Informational websites:
www.healingbreastimplantillness.com
www.biiaware.com