Explant/Breast Implant Removal - 10 Month Update and a blow...

The latest update since my explant surgery is not the update I had hoped to share about my breast implant removal, but here we go.Here are reference links to the FDA and also to Oxford University Aesthetic Surgery Journal Article on the 2019 Guidelines for BIA-ALCL, the cancer associated specifically to breast implants that warranted the recent Allergan global recall.

Recall Information for Allergan is found at the link below.

Allergan Recalls Natrelle Biocell Textured Breast Implants Due to Risk of BIA-ALCL Cancer

I would like to share an updated BIA ALCL Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment plan as of 2019. I reference this Oxford University chart because I am still looking for help with my medical condition that seems to be nothing to every doctor I see, but yet life consuming and perplexing to me. I have been misdiagnosed, mistreated, and even tested wrong this whole time. It seems here that a rash is one of the first signs of BIA-ALCL. Lesions near my breast meant nothing to the first dermatologist I saw at Scottsdale Advanced Dermatology.

There, Dr. Michelle Wittman, saw that I had a diagnosis of BiPolar I and from that point on cared about nothing other than the fact that I must have "Fictitious Dermatitis" a psychological condition, in our terms, "I was making it up". She was talking to me in a really low creepy voice like I was some kind of lunatic. I never in my life was treated so wrong by a staff of "Medical Providers", but again, money and cosmetics.... I don't need to say anymore.

She promised me that I would be fine and left me begging for at least a biopsy at this appointment. I literally had to beg her to biopsy something. She refused to biopsy anything that looked too "ugly" so she chose a lesion that was healed. At that point I was super concerned with her attitude, and her efforts to even try to help me figure this out.

She obliged my biopsy request, but did not specifically test my sample with the recommended CD30 Staining that you have to do in order to find the BREAST IMPLANT RELATED CANCER. This doctor, PROMISED me that it was ALL JUST STRESS! The results of my biopsy actually were a common finding in breast implant related problems, she just did not take the time to research that information and told me it was from picking and scratching.... (Because I am BiPolar)

She said I was fine.

Now, I am faced with having a rash, lesions, and a MASS in my right breast. NONE OF WHICH WERE TESTED for CD30. 2 skin biopsies and a fine needle aspiration biopsy later. I am reviewing my records learning that no one did the proper testing. I asked repeatedly that they test for CD30 to make sure it was not my implants.EVEN AFTER EXPLANT THE TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED!!

And ever since my visit to that VERY FIRST Dermatologist in 2018, no other doctor has taken me seriously about anything. I have been laughed at, and even teased about not committing suicide at the same location, Scottsdale Advanced Dermatology, only that time by their 30 Year bragging Veteran doctor in charge, I really DO NOT recommend their services to anyone who wants a REAL AND PROPER DIAGNOSIS. They very well made a mistake that could cost me even more yet. I won't know until I go for my ultrasound in 2 weeks.

"Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma disease algorithm. Current evidence-based algorithm for achieving diagnosis followed by treatment by stage of disease. Bx, biopsy; CBC, complete blood count; CHOP, cyclophosphamide doxorubicin vincristine prednisolone; CMP, complete metabolic profile; daE, dose adjusted etoposide; FNA, fine needle aspiration; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET/CT, positron emission tomography computed tomography; RT, radiation therapy."

Breast Implant Illness has stolen pieces of my life that I will never have the chance to get back. I can't even begin to count the number of negative ways that breast implants impacted, not only me, but those around me. I have lost friends over the "mysterious" medical problems to boot. Spending every moment of every single day, with insomnia to boot, wondering what in the hell is going on with yourself is not what I call a positive experience.

Even after intense research on the reasons I could be sick, I was never aware until we saw it on the news.

I still am perplexed at the number of women who are still researching to implant who have no idea what they are actually doing to themselves. I can not understand how a product on the market that has been debated for YEARS, now with a Class I recall is not mentioned at the Plastic Surgery Consultation.

Brushing things under the rug long enough has caused everyone involved to fall flat on their faces except for the surgeons who are causing this to happen. MY SURGEON, Dr. Robert Gonzalez at Ciao Bella Medical Center in Scottsdale WAS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH BREAST IMPLANTS AND DIDN'T GIVE TWO SH*&S ABOUT ME AS A PERSON WITH SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES EVEN ON MY 4TH VISIT BACK COVERED IN LESIONS HEAD TO TOE. You know, I even asked him specifically about the dangers of having lupus and getting implants. He told me I HAD NOTHING TO WORRY about!

Ladies, if you are thinking about having silicone breast implants placed in your body, understand the dangers, this is no joke.I am not sharing such personal information for fun. I HAVE NEVER RECOVERED from even having them placed!

Surgery to place my toxic Allergan 410FF textured surface, highly cohesive gel, silicone, breast implants was June of 2017.

My health was on a rapid decline by August, with headaches, dizziness, sugar issues, thyroid problems, and no answers. Confused and not even able to drive due to inability to concentrate at this point and now I was covered in lesions by April of 2018.

Even after seeing doctor after doctor for the same things plus more every visit and still, I was told nothing is wrong clinically that they can diagnose...

I only was made aware of the implant issues by seeing it on the news. That was after seeing countless doctors and returning to my plastic surgeon who doesn't care. He just wanted to take them out and put smooth ones in. Had no idea why I looked so hideous. Ignored the fact that I was suffering and sent me on my way saying I could keep my implants in, there was no way it could be from them.

I explanted in February of 2019. And today in the beginning of my 2020, I'm still sick.

What they have done to me, I need to share. If you decide to implant after understanding your risks, I wish you all the best with your battle, because you have a HUGE one ahead if you do breast augmentation with anything but your own fat.

For me, I await more tests that hopefully can lead me to the RIGHT tests, because I am in trouble, and still, now 3 years out, I have no answers.