I am writing this article to bring awareness to the health epidemic that is haunting thousands, if not millions of women around the world.
Upon suffering from my declining health over the past 8 years (the last 2 being very rapid), I was going from doctor to doctor getting blood tests, X Rays and MRI’s to figure out why I felt so ill, why my joints were popping and painful with every move and why my muscles ached constantly. Upon viewing my x-rays, I found it disturbing to visually see the outline of my breast implants. That brought to my attention that there must be metals in the implant shell, as I could visually see it. This observation finally started my journey into questioning my implants as being the cause of my declined health despite healthy eating and lifestyle. I started connecting the dots, and thanks to thousands of women sharing their stories with Breast Implant Illness and recovery, I have explanted, and I am currently experiencing recovery to my ailments. I have joined forces with these women to dig deeper and research the effects of these toxic devices implanted in us.
As time goes by, more and more women are realizing that they are suffering from the toxic effects of Breast Implants, both Silicone and Saline; especially the “New and Improved Cohesive Gel Silicone Implants”.0
Sadly, many women also have no idea that breast Implants could be a cause of such suffering and sickness, which is the other purpose for this article.
Both types of Implants (Silicone and Saline) use the same Silicone shell to contain the different materials used. Neither are safe, and many prior healthy women are faced with multiple health ailments after receiving Implants, such as Autoimmune diseases, Connective Tissue Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Depression just to name a few. 1
Not only are the significant health issues a problem, but the lack of Plastic Surgeons disclosing the real, proven, toxic effects and illnesses that come with Breast Implants, is a problem. To make matters worse, women suffering from these ailments don’t get any help from their medical Doctors regarding the answer to their problems when they ask if they are possibly ill from Implants. They are left thinking they are crazy.
With their health rapidly declining, many women have lost their jobs from becoming too sick to function. Some have committed suicide, and some have died from these toxic effects. (p.4)
To give an idea of how women are badly effected by implants, “95% of women who had silicone gel-filled breast implants and rheumatologic symptoms such as joint pain, found that the symptoms improved in 97% (42 of 43) of the women who had their breast implants removed. In contrast, rheumatologic symptoms worsened in 96% (50 of 52) of the women who did not have their implants removed.” 2
Here are some “facts” shared from the FDA. These reports are extremely contradictive of the test methods/results and “safe” approval.
Detected Heavy Metals in Implant shell and/or gel: (p.6,8)
Barium
Bromine
Cesium
Chromium
Germanium
Nickel
Platinum
Tin
Zirconium
Aluminum
(The report shows more heavy metals listed, but I have listed the most toxic and detrimental.)
Ingredients in the shell and silicone gel in implants:
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (neurotoxin)
Cyclobexanone (neurotoxin)
Isopropyl Alcohol
Denatured Alcohol
Acetone (neurotoxin)
Urethane
Polyvinyl Chloride (neurotoxin)
Lacquer Thinner
Ethyl Acetate (neurotoxin)
Chloromethane
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy Hardener 10 and 11
Stearic Acid
Zinc Oxide
Benzene (carcinogen/neurotoxin)
Amine
Printing Ink
Methyl 2-cyanoacrylate
Toluene (carcinogen/neurotoxin)
Freon
Silicone
Sodium Flouride
Flux
Lead-based Solder
Metal Cleaning Acid
Lacquer Thinner
Formaldehyde
Talcum Powder
Color pigments as release agents
Oakite (cleaning solvent)
Cyanoacyrylates
Ethylene Oxide (carcinogen)
Hexon
Thixon-OSN-2
Naptha (rubber solvent)
Phenol (neurotoxin)
Carbob Black
Xylene
Silica
Aluminum
Platinum
There is 100% evidence that all cohesive silicone Implants, including the “new and improved” implants, “gel bleed” inside the body, while still intact, exposing the body to platinum as well as 40+ toxic ingredients and heavy metals. (p.7,12)
The FDA report states “The scientific literature contains case reports of silicone gel migration in women with intact (non-ruptured) breast implants [4,5 ] that identified silicone using H-localized spectroscopy in the liver of women with intact silicone gel-filled implants…” (p.12)
The statement continues… “There is no evidence of a health consequence associated with gel diffusion/bleed. Toxicological testing indicates that the silicone material used in (brand name removed) Silicone Gel Breast Implants does not cause toxic reactions in test animals.” (p.12)
I find this statement very contradictive, since these devices are meant to last in the human body “safely” for up to the recommended replacement timeframe of 10 years, and in some methods of animal testing, these tests were not carried out for more than 30 days. Just one implantation test was carried out for a mere 12 weeks. (p.8,9,10)
For example, back to the statement on page 12 about “the silicone material used does not cause toxic reactions in test animals”, a test was done on Acute Systematic Toxicity using Mice. The Mice were injected with extracts of the implant gel and shell materials and observed for up to 72 hours only. However, the test concludes that there was no mortality or evidence of toxicity. (p.8 section 3)
That test doesn’t look very promising to these implants being safely put in the human body for 10 years at 98.6 degrees, does it? Especially since there is confirmation of gel bleed into the body without rupture, guaranteed. (p.7,12)
Another test administered was for Immunotoxicity. Rats were subcutaneously implanted with the test articles (implant gel and shell materials) and observed for a mere 30 days. The results showed that there was minimal immunosuppressive impact by the test materials. (p.9 section 6)
Even though it’s a minimal impact, there is still an impact, and that is after only 30 days.
Another test that brings me to wonder is the Gel Bleed Test, done to analyze the amount of siloxanes including platinum that would excrete from the implant while in the body.
“Intact implants were extraction tested in bovine calf serum to model the natural condition of the breast implant. The extracts were analyzed for the low molecular weight siloxanes (specifically D4 through D21 and the linear siloxanes (MD2M through MD19M)” “The ranges of concentrations in the extraction samples were not statistically significantly different from those of the blank for the majority of the detectable siloxanes” (Although that sounds to me like there is a difference, regardless of lack of significance).
It goes on to state “Only two of the linear siloxanes (MD6M and MD16M) were determined to be significantly different from the blank concentrations” “The platinum concentration measured in the serum extract was below the limit of detection.” (p.12) However, this study does not state if the bovine calf serum was 98.6 degrees like the human body, nor does it state how long the implants were in the calf serum at the time of testing.
As studies show, siloxanes are extremely toxic. Two of the most disturbing effects of siloxanes (D4 in particular), is that it is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with human hormone function, and a reproductive toxicant that may impair human fertility. Exposure to D5 siloxanes has been shown to cause uterine tumors and harm to the reproductive and immune systems. 2,3
Platinum is found in the blood, urine, hair, nails, sweat, brain tissue and breast milk in women with implants according to studies. 4
The FDA lists adverse effects on health. Some listed are:
Implant rupture
Breast tissue atrophy/chest wall deformity
Lymphadenopathy
Connective tissue disease (CTD)
CTD signs and symptoms
Neurological disease
Neurological signs and symptoms (Brain Fog)
Cancer
Lymphoma
Suicide
Potential effects on offspring
Although Saline filled breast implants appear to be the “safer” of the two (silicone and saline), they in fact hold their own serious risks and adverse health reactions.
Saline implants use the same silicone shell that silicone implants use, therefore, the toxins in the shell still leach into the surrounding tissue causing adverse effects. Although there is no “gel bleed” associated with saline implants, the saline solution carries it’s own toxic risks and characteristics.
There is evidence to mold growth inside the saline implant by cause of leaking or defective valves, which cause a “backwash” effect within the body. Bacteria and mold thrive within the saline shell for years, and the health effects are horrific.5
A good point as to why mold thrives in this environment is that the labels on 1-liter bottles of Saline IV solution (the same solution used in saline implants), recommend storage at 77 degrees Fahrenheit and include a discard date of about 18 months. With these implants, the saline is stored in your body at 98.6 degrees for many years. This makes the perfect breeding ground for fungi and other microbes to grow.6
Many women have lost their menstrual cycle after receiving breast implants. When they go to the Doctor they are just put on Birth Control to put a Band-aid on the issue. Many women feel as if they are really dying; they go for multiple tests and many come back normal, so they are prescribed anti-depressants and other drugs because it’s “all in their head”. This furthers their toxic state. Many of these women are only in their 20s and 30s, but feel as if they are 80 and 90 years old. They are riddled with arthritis of all kinds and burdened with heavy metals. They have no zest for life anymore, every little chore feels like a mountain to climb, they don’t feel like living anymore because there is no “cure” or answers to their ailments. Their children, family and friends wonder what has happened to the “happy, energetic, thriving mom/woman she once was”.
I am speaking on behalf of the drug-free, responsible woman who takes care of herself and her family. Who eats healthy and keeps active. Who tries to “cure” her ailments by means of detoxification, supplements, expensive tests, out of network specialists but to no avail. Her body starts to shut down and the detoxification capabilities are halted. It’s like living a slow death.
In addition to all of this, the adverse effects on offspring, infertility, as well as possible miscarriages are mentioned, along with the fact that Platinum is found in the breast milk of women with implants. 4
How can it be, that warning labels are required on substances such as Cigarettes and Alcohol, but there are no warning labels required for breast implants with the effects on pregnancy and children?
This information I have provided is just scratching the surface of the toxic effects of breast implants, and the suffering of many women.
In summary, I can’t see how the FDA could approve these implants with the information I’ve provided here, and there is a lot more to be written and researched.
Us women are essentially Guinie Pigs left to live a painful, miserable life and for what? Money and greed. There is probably no stopping the manufacturing or practice of breast implants, but there should be some mandatory rules to carry out such a harmful practice and device.
1. MTHFR gene testing must be mandatory on all breast implant patients before augmentation
2. There must be a very clear warning label and printed sheet handed to the patient on the significant adverse health effects from implants, including information on the guaranteed gel bleed once implanted in the body, the effects on offspring, fertility problems, heavy metal toxicity which is also found in breast milk, connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia and cancer, such as there is a mandatory label on Cigarette Cartons, Alcohol and Controlled Substances.
3. Plastic Surgeons must verbally warn women of these effects at the time of consultation in addition to giving the patient the warning sheet, easy to understand and legibly printed (not in tiny print).
4. Medical Doctors must be educated fully on the adverse health effects of breast implants and know what toxic symptoms to look for so the patient can get appropriate treatment (Explant and Detoxification).
5. Before treatment, Medical Doctors must ask if the patient has implants so that the patient may be treated and diagnosed properly.
I really believe that this is a far better way for women to make a true educated decision on breast implants. We are not being told these adverse effects. I have gone through breast augmentation twice, and I was never shown these warnings from the FDA from my surgeons, nor was I verbally told. There is evidence from many women that when they asked their surgeon of the side effects, they were only told Capsular Contraction in rare cases.
My goal is to help spread awareness to those suffering from implants and to the medical field so that they can be treated appropriately instead of being denied or pacified.
I would also like to add, that while I have personally suffered with adverse reactions with breast implants, this article also applies to both men and woman that receive ALL types of implants, including silicone buttock implants, penile implants, calf implants etc., as they are all made by the same ingredients and manufacturers.
Since these adverse reactions are from toxicity and in some cases allergic reactions, removal of the source (implants) is the first step to recovery following a detoxification program with chelation of heavy metals.