For most of my adult life, I had no idea that something inside my own body was slowly working against me. If you had told me three months ago that my breast implants were making me sick, I probably would’ve laughed it off. I’d never even heard of Breast Implant Illness. I thought I was just “getting older,” or stressed, or overworked… you know, all the things women are told to believe instead of listening to their bodies.
This is a personal story, but I can't gate-keep it.
But two weeks ago, I did something that changed everything:
I had an explant of my implants - or as I like to call it, I evicted those toxic bags for good.
When Your Body Is Talking… but You’re Not Listening Yet
For years, little symptoms piled up like puzzle pieces I didn’t know how to assemble. Chronic fatigue that made me feel like I was living inside a 100-year-old body. Brain fog so thick I couldn’t finish a sentence. Joint and muscle pain. Anxiety that felt glued to my chest. Memory slipping. Hair thinning. And the worst part? No answers. None.
Doctors would shrug. Bloodwork would look “fine.” And I’d push through another day wondering why my body felt like it was falling apart from the inside.
Then came the capsular contracture - the tightening, the pain, the feeling that something was genuinely wrong. And that’s when I finally started digging.
Discovering BII: The Moment Everything Made Sense
Once I started researching Breast Implant Illness, it was like someone turned the lights on.
BII isn’t “imagined.” It’s not “hormones” or “stress.” It’s a real medical condition where implants trigger chronic inflammation, immune system dysfunction, and a flood of symptoms that can completely derail your life.
And here’s what no one talks about:
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Implants can leak chemicals even when they look perfectly intact
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Silicone can migrate through your lymphatic system without a rupture
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Your immune system never gets a break from fighting a foreign object
That was me. For 25 years, I lived with something my body was desperately trying to reject - and I didn’t have the language for it. My boobs were cute, sure… but they were quietly poisoning me.
The Explant & The First Signs of Healing
Fast forward to two weeks post-explant: my drains are out, my scars are healing, and for the first time in years… I feel like me again. The fog has lifted. The headaches are gone. I can think clearly and speak a full sentence without losing my train of thought. It’s wild how quickly the body begins to reboot when you stop overwhelming it. First thing I noticed the next day post surgery is how much whiter and brighter my eyes were...
Pain-wise, the worst was maybe a 5 out of 10 - totally manageable. Red-light therapy has been a lifesaver. I place it across my chest for 20 minutes a day, and it helped with inflammation, swelling, and accelerated the healing process.
Keeping the Implants (Yes, Really)
I actually kept my implants after surgery - and not in a sentimental way. They’re a reminder. A physical “never again.” A symbol of choosing my health over an aesthetic that never mattered as much as I thought it did. I lived with them for decades and only discovered BII recently… and that blows my mind.
The memory loss, the exhaustion, the anxiety, the hair falling out - it all makes sense now.
Connecting the dots is emotional, validating, and honestly, a little infuriating. But mostly? It feels empowering.
If You’re Reading This and Something Feels “Off”… Trust Yourself
I’m not here to tell anyone what to do with their body. But if something feels wrong - if your intuition keeps whispering, “Something isn’t right” - please, listen. Research. Ask questions. Join support groups. Read other women’s stories. You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things.
Your body doesn’t lie.
Mine tried to warn me for years, and now that I’m finally listening?
Healing is happening - slowly, beautifully, and so much sooner than I expected.
My surgery was performed by Dr. Pryor in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Rachel Quigley
Natalia, I applaud your bravery for removing your implants and your bravery and nobleness in choosing to share your story. You shared this out of love, which the Bible tells us is the greatest motive. You put your love and care for others above your own fear of shame or embarrassment. This shows that you are a beautiful person inside as well as out. We all need to learn to love and appreciate ourselves, remembering that the Bible says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Since our bodies are also the temple of God, we need to be careful about what we choose to put in and on our bodies. I am so thankful for you and your natural skincare line that has made such a difference in my daughters’ and my skin. Your products prove you can look good and feel good without exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. Removing your implants has actually made you whole again, both in body and mind, and I pray for your complete restorative healing.
Christina Williams
Natalia,
Long time customer here. Thanks so much for sharing your story about your BII and your “explant” story. I have a niece who is 39 and she has had breast implants since she was 20 years old. I cannot believe that they not causing some kind of “symptoms” in her body. She always tired and can fall asleep in the middle of the day, like nothing. She’s the mom of a 5 year old daughter, but she was like this prior to 2020.
I have been aware of BII for many years now. I’m actually in a group on FB for women with BII, and have been reading their stories for awhile now. I joined because I wanted to know more about BII as I have felt for awhile , that my niece likely has some form of BII.
I sent your story both her and her sister. (They are close in age and both had daughters in 2020.) I doubt they will respond.
Best wishes on your journey back to restoring your body to a greater sense of health and well being.
Christina