I sincerely appreciate this, and, other websites that offer
information & support for silicone implant survivors such as myself AND, my
daughter - who has many of the same symptoms and debilitating pain, that I
do. I breastfed her with the assurance from my doctors that it was
"perfectly safe" to do so, and, afterwards, when it was far too late to
prevent the damage, I learned that one of those "perfectly safe implants
(that Dow Corning promised would last me my lifetime!)", had been ruptured
as my baby girl innocently was being fed!!! I just saw a segment of "E.T."
on tv this week, which featured a number of 'swimsuit' models who were
carelessly insisting on having silicone breast implants, in spite of all
that's being discovered about the horrible risks involved - because they
beleive these are imperative to their 'looks' and subsequent 'careers'. To
those misguided women, I would like to say LISTEN to someone who has been
right where you aspire to be - spare your bodies, your health, AND, your
lives, and spare yourselves from being "the STAR of your own personal
nightmare"! I am a former swimsuit model, renowned personal trainer, and
successful athlete, who was featured in, and on, the cover of, many
magazines (such as "SHAPE"). Please, get that poisen out of your lovely,
healthy young bodies before it destroys you, as silicone breast implants
have destroyed me, and my promising career. If you could only see my
portfolio, and pictures of how lovely, healthy, vibrant, and athleticly fit
I once was, compared to what devestating, chronic illness AND PAIN, has
done to me in only a few short years - because of a ruptured silicone
implant. THINK AGAIN!!...if you believe it won't or can't happen to you,
and THINK AGAIN!...if you believe your 'career' will be enhanced, when,
after a few years, you become horribly ill, from the 30 or 40 poisenous
chemicals in your implants,as they begin to break down your bodies defense
mechanisms! HOW MANY MODELLING JOBS will come your way, when you are in bed
from fever.
J.S. Lacy
__________________________________________
I CAN SAY FIRST HAND THAT THEY ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH OF
THE AMERICAN WOMEN. THEY HAVE MADE ME SERIOUSLY ILL, AND I WOULD NOT
RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE!!!!
SANDRA HARDIN
___________________________________________
New Zealand
Date = 8 Nov 97 10:53:00
The pain we live with from the effects of silicone can't be put into words. Men will never be able to under
stand how we continue to keep on going each day. If men were able to make it through ONE day with the pain from silicone,
Perhaps things whould be settled and we could move on with lives!
New Orleans, USA
Date = 8 Nov 97 21:25:43
I wish my mom had never gotten breast implants. She is sick
all the time and I have a lack of NK cells so I have to be
careful about viruses and such. I also have too many ANA cells
and they are banded and speckled. My mom had implants put in 6
months before she got pregnant with me. I love my mom and I'm
glad she is my mother but I wish she did not have implants. I
also wish all her great friends who are also sick from implants
had not gotten implants. It is really bad that so many people are
sick because women have been made to feel they should look like
BarBie Dolls. I gave all my BarBies away when I was 10 years
old because I elt BarBie had made my mom sick, I am 12 now.
Lakeside, CA USA
Date = 29 Jun 97 04:18:47
Hi Everyone:
I am a 49-year-old former Medical Office Manager, breast implant survivor. I have been totally disabled for almost three
years now. For many years before I was forced to go on Disability I kept trying to find out what was wrong with me. I
believe that breast implants are fatal. Every day is a struggle for me. I must go to a local hospital once or twice a week
and have immunoglobulin IVIG because I have developed Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathies. This causes me
to be so weak there are times when I cannot even hold my head up or walk or even sit up. I walk with a cane. My husband of
31 years must take me in a wheelchair if there are stairs or alot of walking to do. I rarely leave my home except to go for
Doctor appts and to the hospital. I am the mother of two wonderful sons. They call me and check on me all the time. If it
were not for the support of my family, I don't know how I could make it. I feel so very sorry for the women who have lost
their homes, families, jobs, everything they loved including their memories. I am trying desperately to get better. My
husband and I were very involved in our children's lives and even raised a niece and nephew. I never dreamed that I would
be so disabled at such a young age. Silicone breast implants have devastated my life and my future. Bur more than that it
has affected my family and my ability to be a companion to my husband, a wage earner, and I can't even be the mother I was
to my children. I have lupus markers, Raynauds, Sicca, Degenerative Joint Disease, very abnormal blood tests, high blood
pressure, severe complicated migraines with stroke like symptoms and I even had a mild stroke at age 46. My cognitive
skills are gone. My short term memory is a big problem. I get rashes, severe photosensitivity such that I can never be in
the sun--ever. I have no idea what the future holds for me and my family. I believe that we were so very wronged by not
having informed consent. Would anyone consent to this? The manufacturers knew of the auto-immune problems when I got my
implants at age 22. I had them for 23 years. I tried desperately to find out what was wrong with me for years. I believe
the plastic surgeons knew what was happening too. I didn't want to believe this because I had worked with doctors for
years. But I know they had to have received the information of ruptures, illness, etc in their journals. How could they
have stood by and watched us get sick. The doctors in San Diego have been silenced. Our great President of the American
Medical Assn threatens to publicly censure and go after the license of any physician who tries to help us. I think that is
so evil when so many of us are so very ill. What do I think of breast implants. I think they are toxic and fatal and I
resent the fact that the FDA did not step in to give us the information and the Courts had the damning records sealed from
us while we were all going from Doctor to Doctor to try to figure it out for ourselves. They knew and did nothing. That is
murder. My prayers and thoughts are with all the survivors and I just wish this nightmare would end and no one would
suffer the way we have. Thank you for listening. Love, Judy
unknown
Date = 28 Jun 97 18:50:01
I just wanted to say thanks to all the women who told their story in here about breast implants because for a
long time now, I have been wanting to get implants but I never knew where I could go to get some informaton about all of
the risks and everything like that because you can't always belive what you see on T.V. I heard from somewhere that they
can inject something besides silcone not that supposibly doesn't have the same effect but i can't remember what it's
called, if anyone know's what i am talking about, please sign this screen and let me know where it is and how i can find
out more info about it. thanks
H.H.
Date = 26 Jun 97 04:07:11
Sale Creek, TN
I feel my implants are making me sick. I am always hurting every
minute of the day and night. I have had most symptoms that every-
one else is having. How can we all have the same sickly medical
symptoms and there not be a link to our illness's? I feel comp-
ensation is necessary. I can no longer afford to pay anymore of
the medical bills from where I continue to have to go to the
doctor. I am constantly on medications. And of course they can't
find anything wrong. I'm 37 years old and feel and act 57. I am
so tired of being tired. Why can't someone help? When is someone
going to wake up and admit we were done wrong. I feel faulted for
trying to make my apperance better. I feel wrongdoings for some-
I tried to do right. Could someone please help? I want my implants
out. I want to look normal again. I want to feel normal again.
Please someone help.
Thank You Debra Levi
Cold Water, MI USA
Date = 23 Jun 97 00:48:01
I don't appreciate being used as a guinea pig. I now know the truth behind this wrongful doing and I am teaching
my daughter about these truths. My daughter is 29 years old and has just recently been diagnosed. I do not want her to fall
prey to this madness. Her doctors told her Saline Implants are OK. She has told them different. She told them, "No way will
I have even Saline Implants because the shell is still made with silicone" and she does not want to go through the Hell
that implants put me through since 1979. After multiple ruptures and contractures I had my implants removed for good in
Oct. 1996. I think they need to accept responsibility for their actions and insure that this form of horrendous torture
never ever happens again.
Ponchatoula, LA USA
Date = 29 Jun 97 19:27:25
Since i have had my implants removed i have never been
well. every doctor that i go to really do not know if i got sick from them or what. well i know that i got sick from them
i do not
care what they say i wish i would never had them but now they
are removed. now if i could only get better. some times the pain that i have is unbearable sometimes i wish i would leave
this world but i guess the good lord will make that decision..
VIRGINIA BEACH , VIRGINIA USA
Date = 11 Jul 97 00:12:17
I was considering getting breast implants within the next year,
but I wanted to get as much information as I could before I made
a final decision. I'm really insecure with my breasts, that
they aren't the actual size that I would want them to be, or my
husband. I know that my husband loves the way I am. And after reading
and looking in to the risks, I am happy to say that I would never do anything
that could bring harm to my body. I love myself the way I am.
Thank you for the information that you provided for me, and
helping me make my final decision not to go thru with the surgery.
Ukiah, CA USA
Date = 12 Jul 97 16:10:44
I think that they are dangerous, but I would like to learn more. Would you please mail me some more info? I am
writing a speech about implants and I need alll the info I can get, thanks
Florida, USA
Date = 13 Jul 97 03:09:48
I believe they are a nightmare to any person to have. They have ruined my mother for life. She is now losing her
hair and her left arm gives out all the time. And everyone looks the other way when she tries to get help for this. Dr.
Vassey is the only fighting for right now. How dare any such person or company risk the lives of women. People say that
women were warned about the risk. That is a bunch of malarky because any women with a two cent brain would have declined if
they knew that they would have so many health problems with making this change. Natural would have sounded much better to
them. HELP FIGHT THIS! If anyone has any advice that I can tell my mother please e-mail me at Hady2@aol.com Thank you for
your time.
Sincerely,
Heather
N. Augusta, SC USA
Date = 13 Jul 97 03:44:00
MY THOUGHTS..IT IS THE GREATEST SIN SINCE THE HOLOCOST......THE POSIONING OF MOTHER
,DAUGHTERS...CHILDREN.....LOVE AND BLESSINGS ...PAULA
Little Rock, AK USA
Date = 14 Jul 97 02:49:49
I think it's so sad that we live in a society that is so driven by the way we look that it forces millions of
women to put foreign objects in their bodies, and starve themselves if necessary...whatever sociey wants. When will it all
end?
Ensenada, Mexico
Date = 20 Jul 97 04:05:39
Well, all this problem of women that are worried in having a good body because they don't accept there self as
they would like, its because moral values of women have been
always impossed by thoughts of men, we are always worried of what is going to think the man of us, we are always thinking
to delight a man, and well its Ok, but not at that
point and introduce chemics to our body without thinking that there is going to be sideeffects, breast implants its the
fastest way or the lacy way to obtain something,
I mean that theres other ways toi look better as doing excercise.
If we start accepting our self just as we are, we can change the way men see us, like a model our something like that.
But like me there are many thoughts of women so different or likely that thats why there's still breast implants.
Its a matter of women education, and it has to start since elementary school.
And also men's education, because they have to change there thoughts: woman its not a sexual object or that has to be
perfect, because there aren't beings perfect, (Just God).
Well something like that. I hope my thoughts can help to enrich your campaign agaist Breast Implants.
Thanks for you attention.
Sincerely,
Edith Duarte
Date = 25 Jul 97 04:26:18
Date = 25 Jul 97 04:26:18
Solon IOWA USA
I had Dow implants since 1974. When I was 20 yrs. old. Just to please husband. Wrong! Diagnosed with m.s.
1990.Body aches all over.Face is hard for me to smile tight skin.Also had child 1985 he has a chronic disease.Almost
miscarriaged him.All from lies!!!
Springfield, IL USA
Date = 6 Aug 97 02:31:22
I got saline breast implants 20 years ago and have been completely happy with the results. No ill side effects,
improved outlook on life, greater self-confidence. I look good and feel good. I had an excellent doctor who had the
foresight and intelligence to recommend saline over silicone.
unknown
Date = 8 Aug 97 02:02:14
As I have been considering breast implants, I read this page and was very concerned about the possible adverse
effects on my health.
I am 20 years old and do not want to do something to my body that could ruin my health and cripple me for life. However,
this page focuses on silicone implants and does not talk about saline or the new vegetable oil implants. I would very much
like non-biased information on these. Before I even consider going through with the surgery, I need to know more. I want to
know what the bag itself is made of in these new vegetable oil implants, and if it has been found to cause the ailments
suffered by women with silicone and saline implants. If any information is available about this, I have listed my email
address.
Atlanta, GA USA
Date = 9 Aug 97 01:42:55
I had no idea that implants were causing so many problems. Call me naive, but I didn't know. I just had no
idea. I used to be self-conscious and thought that my breasts were small. My boyfriend could tell you. I'm a 36c and I
thought that was too small! How stupid was I to believe society. I'll be honest. I thought about getting them. the only
thing that probabaly stopped me was the fact that I could not afford them. I am so glad that I know what I know now. This
taught me that I should reseach everything thoroughly, no matter what the situation may be. I am so sorry that you are ill
and that you have to deal with this. By you telling your story, you are preventing a large amount of women from making a
deadly and grave mistake. It takes courage and heart to do what you are doing, God knows that the manufacturers didn't do
it. Thnak you so much. I will continue to think about you and pray for you.
"For I know the pans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11-NKJV I look at this verse everyday, it keeps me holding on to the promise. God
Bless You Gloria.
Destin, FL USA
Date = 9 Aug 97 20:51:48
I have had my implants for 22 yrs. and can not at this time attribute any physical problems to having them. I
am sure I need to know more about replacing them because what they have provided for me emotionally has been phenomenal. I
can't imagine not having the figure I have. My breast are not large by a lot of plastic surgeons standards....36C, but
they fit my body shape perfectly. I am sure there are many women who are experiencing terribly debilitating problems
stemming from the implants but for those of us lucky enough to tolerate them, it is wonderful.
Dallas, Texas USA
Date = 12 Aug 97 05:10:37
20 months ago I had Silicone Breast Implantation. I had heard the horror stories that women with Silicone
Implants had endured but very little about Saline Implants. My mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and several friends
had had Silicone Implants with no problems (atleast none they were aware of yet...) Less than a year after implantation I
started experiencing a burning sensation down the left side of my body. The doctors were grasping at straws to determine
it's cause...an injury from moving furniture (their solution a splint and rest for a week or two), a possible stroke (no
that wasn't it) a heart condition (several expensive tests later...no that's not it) after 6 months of this discomfort I
was forced to admit that my left breast was "shrinking". I visited with my surgeon who confirmed that the implant was
infact leaking but insists that it is not the cause of my "burning" and discomfort. Now, in addition to missed work,
frustration, and medical bills I have a choice to make...have the implant removed and replaced (at my expense) or have them
removed (at my expense). I knew that the implants were not permanent but did not anticipate the requirement of additional
surgey after only 1 year (and at my expense as the manufacturer's (McGhan) allowance will cover only a portion of my
surgery and only after I have sent the implant to be sterilized and then sent to McGhan for their inspection. Who knows
how long that could take...and if the implant is the cause of the burning, will it stop once the implant has been replace?
It is a shame that our society has come to this...the demands are put on women today are so unrealistic "I can bring home
the bacon, fry it up in a pan (raise the kids, clean the house...) and never him forget he's a man (and look like I just
stepped out of a salon and the gym while performing this multitude of tasks) O.K. I'll get off my "soap box" but
seriously, I would appreciate any words of wisdom (my e-mail address is D'LynEads@aol.com) and to those of you considering
implants do your research...it's not worth the frustration and hassle...there are too many other ways to boost our self
esteem (and most of them are alot less expensive and will last longer) Thanks!
Coppel, TX USA
Date = 13 Aug 97 02:35:10
Being a topless dancer I've seen more breast implants than
the average person. Out of every 20 pairs of breast I've seen
maybe one pair that looks great. I used to want to get mine done
but after seeing and reading information about them I'm now to scared!!!! For me thats's good. I belieave that there very
dangerous. But every now and then I'll see one good pair of breast that are implanted and it makes me very
envious. But I still have to look at the big picture. Even though my breast are a c cup I still make just as much money as
the girl that's got the implants. I think I'll keep my own..
Vero Beach, FL USA
Date = 16 Aug 97 14:11:37
I was implanted in Sept 1990 within 1 month one had to be removed because of infection (pseudomonis) became very
ill, and subsequently lost 3 years' work. Had implants removed in 1992 and here it is 1997 and I am still not well.
Personally I feel the F D A is at fault as well as the physicians, and the implant manufacturers. Most people are not
research oriented and believe what the medical community says to be "gospel". The F D A is just another "government"
agency and we all know what the government is like now! I certainly hope that all of the implant survivors will triumph
and recover part of their loses and e able to carry on with their lives as best as possible.
Date = 17 Aug 97 22:10:52
Ponca City, Ok
I'm a teenager who wants to get implants when I am an adult.
Its true, they are very dangerous but girls who get them look very attractive and I want to look that good when I become an
adult. Society just looks at image these days,(like how beautiful a girl is) I dont feel that I'm beautiful enough and that
if I got implants one day it would help raise my self-esteem.
Is there any way they are getting safer? Or could be safer in the future??
Thank you very much for reading my thoughts about implants.
Lindsay
Petaluma, CA USA
Date = 19 Aug 97 03:20:23
Have them now. Last six months ill without a cure. 33 yr WF good health and have had implants close to ten
years. Tired of living like this.
Danville, CA USA
Date = 19 Aug 97 01:35:21
I have been I'll from silicone implants that I had removed in l993. Had them placed in l987 and was told I'd
revceive McGhan double lumen and after pathogist report found out that I received both silicon and saline in one envelope
which was quite unusual for Mc
ghan ( they called them mcghan 42's). Had 5 capsule contrractures , knew nothing about other women illness because i was
running my own business and was too busy to pay attention to news, etc. and thought maybe my illnesses where from being
tired, etc. Started with earached left side, and no doc. could figure out what problem was then i was on antibiotics for 2
years and ended up with cnandida overgrowth ? , couldnt eat anything except chicken and lettuce, down to 98 lbs. and
continued to get sicker. Finally told doc. to remove implants, even though he doubted that this was cause. Went for prelab
blood work and met a gal in room , we startted talking and low and behold she was in for same thing. She had me go to a
local support group that
sat. and everything that I had wrong with me was listed on their black board as possible symptoms. Needless to say I had
my implants removed and have gained weight and feel better except for frozen left shoulder and pain persist in that left
ear. Also extreme exhaustion and depression and some neur. difficulties. What
I
cannot work becuase of these problems, does anyone else have ear pain and found any sucessful treatments? What do I think
of breast implants, I wouldn't wish them on Hitler!!!
Quesnel BC Canada
Date = 22 Aug 97 01:32:23
I think its kind of a silly thing to do to one's body. I would be curious to know how many women in the United
States and Canada have had this done and what ages women are when they consider it? I liked being (full chested) when i
breast fed my children, now I'm "small" but I've done what nature intended my breasts to do "feed my babies" I wouldn't
consider surgery to have a false look.
Winter Park, FL USA
Date = 22 Aug 97 02:33:49
I had Dow Corning silicone-gel implants for 20.5 years and had them explanted with no replacements on 10-19-94.
I was so sick, I had to quit my employment but have slowly been improving now. Aetna refused to pay for my explant and I am
now suing them. It helps me to help others; I have a free brochure I will send anyone on how to go about obtaining approval
for explant from whoever their insurance carrier is. Just send me a SASE, No. 10 (4 1/4" X 9 1/2" approx.) envelope with 32
cents in postage to Barbara Stock, 415 Kilshore Ln., Winter Park, FL 32789, brstock@aol.com. After you have read it, if you
have questions, I will be happy to try to help your personally, if my energy and health permit. Let me know what insurance
turned you down; I am particularly anxious to hear from women turned down by Aetna or U. S. Healthcare, UNITEDhealthcare
and Metrahealth who merged with them as of 7-19-96. It is time they paid or gave you approval! I know what their guidelines
are as well as those of a host of insurance companies; no more keeping us in the dark! I have won count 1; they have
agreed in court filings they should have paid for my explant. On to count 2 in that they negliently done this not only to
me but others!
If you have insurance problems in regard to insurance, I look forward to helping you!
