Breast implants have no place in American medicine. They are killers of women, and children who breast fed from women who had them. The medical community of America showed total lack of responsibiity, as did the manufacturer's and distributor's, and the FDA, in allowing silicone breast implants to be used as internal medical devices in women. In addition, they not only knowingly allowed this travesty to continue but covertly tried to cover up the truth. They even lied to Congress. I am a breast implant, (explanted), survivor, left with no real quality of life, and costly medical bills. Silicone breast implants affect all parts of the body. We do not have the energy to fight the battle ahead of us, to make the powers to be aware that silicone breast implants have no place in anyones life, and to secure the money needed to meet medical needs. When is this world going to wake up and see that this breast implant controversy was created and continues to be perpetrated against women, all in the name of greed, and power? Is there anyone out there who can find a forum that will be effective in the fight against silicone breast implants?
Sue Olexa
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I have had silicone implants since 1973. There is no doubt that they make you ill.I was in the mdl until dow filed bankruptcy. My records disappeared a long time ago. I am trying to prove that i had dow and do not know how to do that. I don't know how many other women out there have this problem. I would like to hear from someone that may have any info that would help me. For years I have been ill. For years I was told it was all in my head. In 1993 I had them replaced with silicone[I know] the m.d. had to scrape with hands ,etc. to collect all the spilled silicone. I certainly would not have replaced them had I been awake to see that The info at that time was scarce and I trusted the m. d. afterall it was always in my head.Thank you any help would be appreciated.
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I received silicone gel breast implants in 1974. Over the years since then, I have had numerous and varied illnesses. The doctors I saw didn't know what was wrong with me. They would try to deal with each new ailment or symptom and get me back on my feet until the next problem would emerge. I went from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist as different areas of my body were affected. In 1992, I read articles about other women who were describing almost the same experience. I was so sick and felt so much older than my years. I had the implants removed in May, 1992. (but not before another set of major illnesses struck. In March, I began having "atypical" siezures, experienced heart arrythmias, and vision changes to the point that I could no longer work. In April, 1992, I developed cellulitis in my face and neck that was so bad so quickly, that I had to be hospitalized.) > >I am angry that I am sick, disfigured and disabled, when this did not have to happen. From the reports and "internal document studies" that I have read, it seems crystal clear to me that the manufacturers of my implants, Dow Corning, knew that they were putting a dangerous and harmful product on the market and ultimately in my body. Why did they do this? And why are our country's legal and regulatory officials dragging their feet on making all implant manufacturers accountable for the devastation and deaths of so many previously healthy young women?! If an individual had harmed me the way the manufacturer of my implants have, that individual would be in jail for a very long time. But because a corporation has done this, no punishment or accountability has taken place. And what is worse, because there are so many thousands that have been injured so badly that it's causing a "traffic jam" in the courts, the laws that used to be in place to protect the injured are being changed, dulled or completely eliminated. > >I am ashamed that my wonderful country has allowed this to happen to me and to hundreds of thousands of others. Do our governing officials not realize the ultimate cost of this holocaust? Healthy women are caused to sicken and die long before their time. They can no longer work or keep a home. Loads are transfered to husbands, many of whom, weakened by trying to carry the weight of their own role, cannot also carry the role of wife and second income. Outcome? Divorce. Destruction of families. Destitution for women too sick to work and no monies for insurance or doctors. Many children born after implants suffer a variety of auto-immune health problems and fatigue, so very similar to their mothers. > >What do I think about implants? For me, they were death in a box.
Austin, TX.
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I had mastectomies at the age of 29. I thought that implants were a God send. Now I feel like an idiot. I have been very ill for over four years. Wish that someone would believe us so we could get the funding for research to find a way to get better. At the age of forty, and once being a workaholic and owning my own business, its a hard pill to swallow that my main goal now would to be to be able to hold my three month old granddaughter pain free! Just so I could fully enjoy her.

I know that there are so many of "us" that are worse off than me. But I see a drastic change from year to year. The others that I have talked with have told me that it took anywhere from three to five years to feel better after explantation. Well, it's been four years for me and I have gotten progressively worse. But through talking to others, and reading all of the newer reports that are out, we (myself and family) have come to the conclusion that even though I have had my silicone implants removed, I did have them replaced with saline. Now we have come to learn that the envelope holding the saline gel is made of silicone, and over time the envelope will break down and fragements will migrate through the body. Which would certainly explain why I have continued to worsen, when I should have been getting better. So ladies, if you are considering saline implants, please do not trust your doctor. Just read the new abstracts and other reports, and I do believe you will make your own conclusion.
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My mastectomies were a very serious operation. But I must tell you that the explantation was much more severe, and took much longer to recover from. You loose feeling and cant wash or feed yourself for quite awhile. You will loose muscle, lymphnodes, breast tissue (if you have any), and they must remove the capsule. The recovery is unbelievably painful. Now I have to go through this again. I am scared to death! If you feel that it is worth going through this sever operation over and over again, then by all means, have the implants put in. You have so much to look forward too!
Thank you for the opportunity to spout off.
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I think they are a lot like cigarettes (many hidden agendas)! My mother has had 3 surgeries and is again having numerous health problems. Her plastic surgeon told her that they need to come out right away because they have ruptured and formed capsules. Here's the catch...insurance covers nothing...she does not qualify for a payment plan...she does not have thousands and thousands of dollars sitting in the bank. Are there any options out there for women suffering?
Please e-mail any advice and (or) options. We are in California, but I am sure that we could travel if needed. She really needs to get them removed right away (per her doctor). Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance! My e-mail address is: amber@sure.net
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DOW CORNING SHOWED PAY FOR THERE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SILICONE. I AM CURRENTLY WRITING A BOOK AND A MOVIE IS IN THE WORKS ON HOW DOW CORNING FILED CHAPTER 11 THE DAY OF MY OPENING STATEMENT IN THE MULTNOMAHA COUNTY COURTHOUSE. WE HAD TO GO WITH A MISS TRIAL.
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I am concerned about what to believe. I have had implants for 18 years and never have had any problems; however, over the last couple years they have become hardened or possibly encapsulated. I am embarrassed to hug others too tightly. Now that I am getting older (52) the implants are still in place and hard but the "real me" is drooping and it doesn't look very attractive. Imagine being 90 years how I will look. But how I look is no longer my main concern. I have had various aches and pains but nothing like what I have read in these passages. Going through menapause and being in one's 50s is reason enough to have various aches and pains. Should I have them out as a preventative measure? Is it certain that they will eventually cause me grave illness, etc. I need to know what it costs and what is involved in having the implants completely removed. Does the hardening of the implants indicate that they need to come out and that there is a possiblity that they will rupture? What does it cost to have the surgery and where in the Oregon area is there a surgeon who might be recommended for this procedure? My comments may be made public but my name and other information shown above is to be left confidential. Thank you. ____________________________________________

I had a mastectomy, both sides, with reconstruction. I thought I had been blessed. I had no idea of the horrors I would encounter. Some days I am not able to walk, the pain is so severe. I have headaches, numbness and tingling, joint swelling and stiffness.. my vision is going fast, I have trifocals now, I have had pneumonia three times in the last three months, I can't pick up my granddaughter, I don't go to my grandsons baseball games because I can't sit on the bleachers, I have sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, arthritis, you name I have it. What do I think of breast implants......I think the manufacturers should own up to the mistake they have made and seriously try to find a solution to the medical problems they have created for all thses women. I am willing to be tested. Why hasn't anyone tested the women who are having these problems? It would be of interest to millions of women to be seriously tested without preconceived ideas of outcome. I would appreciate anyone emailing me with their stories and ideas on how we can get some answers to our questions before we die. I was 34 when I had my implants, I am 51 now and I might just as well be 91. My life is basically over and Dow Corning is worried about a few token dollars to try to pay for my life. This is still America, the place of dreams, I want justice.
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After several surgeries and 5 implants I didn't want any more "problems" and decided not to "have another set". Well, I went for almost two years without. Then scar tissue was popping my ribs of my breast bone, the sollution....MORE IMPLANTS, this time under the muscle. Two years with that, now...the muscle is causeing the implants to...in effect , cave in my breast bone. I AM SICK OF IT. Will it ever stop?
Anchorage, Alaska
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I think that implants cause disease and I am convinced that they have caused my health problems. There is not a doubt in my mind.
Marion, KS
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I think that the implants should not be permitted to enter the Humane body. I had my implantes since 1984. I was told by the doctor, who put the implants in, that a mack truck could run over me, my body would be smashed and the implants would still be there unharmed. For the pass year. I have had a rash appear on the left breast and has been there ever since I have seen doctors and I have been treated by them and nothing will help the rash, and they do not know the unknown reason for the rash being there and not being able to cure the rash. All I have heard is that the rash is from a reaction.
Saucier, MS
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I think this is the biggest diseaster ever to confront our women. I have recently been diagnosed with lupus and greatly fear for my health and survival. My medical bills are astronomical and insurance companies are refusing to pay. My medical bills total to well over $200,000 in the last 11 years since my implantation. The only doctors that I saw prior to implantation were gynecologists for my pregnancies and routine family care. If only I could communicate this to young girls that want to have a "perfect figure". I don't begrudge them perfection, this is simply not the way to obtain it.
m.m. Denver, CO.
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comments = I am eighteen years old and I strongly desire to have breast implants. I made my mind up ever since I was thirteen. I've asked a few doctors and they said I was too young to have this procedure done, but I just turned 18 and I still desire this operation. My breasts are pretty much the same size they were in 7th grade (34A) and it is very depressing to me. I can't stand the thought of never being able to fill out a dress properly or wear an unpadded bra. Not having "normal - sized" breasts has killed every bit of self-esteem I have. What else can I do, but desire to get implants?
Sault Ste. Marie MI
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I had my Bristol Myers Implants removed two years ago this month (April). I had a mastopexy to reconstruct my breast and fill in the holes that were to be left after the "old ruptures" were removed. Cost $14,000! Scares -- actully not bad I had a wonderful plastic surgeon, Dr. Vitale-Lewis, Melbourne, FL, SHE did an excellent job on me. Even though my breast as considerably smaller, they are firm and both head in the same direction. I feel the best I have felt in 18 years. One of my implants was so badly decomposed, the pathologiest could not determine the size. Having silicon inplants was the biggest mistake I have ever made in my 49 years of life. 6 years after my implants, I went through 3 of the worst/sickest years of my life, however no one ever suspected the implants. Through the news media, I was able to put together I suffered from silicon poisoning. I had every symptom, including 2 years of cronic fatigue syndrome. My famaily doctor dismissed my concerns, saying it was just coincidence. My implants were beautiful. I suggested to my docotor that maybe I should have them removed. He strongly disagreed with me. Against his advise I went to a plastic surgeon. She sent me to have an MRI on my breast -- My worst fears were confirmed. Rupture. No mistake about it. I immediately set up a date to have the implants removed. I have to say now that my health is fantastic. I guess I will always have the allergies I developed 10 years ago. I have also lost the hearing in my right ear due to the constant ringing the allergies have caused. But -- I am healthy, alive and free of the implants. The thing that makes me so mad is that I was lied to! If I had known for one second the implants could affect my life in such a negative way I would have never ever had the surgery. I truly believe that the implanting doctor told me exactly what she knew. I specifically asked with if they burst ): Well it's behind me now. I can sleep at night. I wonder if those bastards at Dow can! By the way I received $23,000 from the MDL settlement. At least I was able to finish paying off the hospital bill. Bristol didn't totally turn their backs on us like Dow did. I really feel sorry for the ladies who had Dow implants -- in more ways than one. This whole thing is nothing more to Dow than just a game to see just how much they can get away with. To all you ladies with Dow -- My heart goes out to you.
Melbourne, FL
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I think that this web site is a disgusting example of what happens when money is extorted from a company like Dow Corning. Why don't you show the world what great measures of medical insight you have instead of your anecdotal reports from cash reward recipients.
......doh...why don't you say something worthwhile ;)...ed