The world needs to know that women’s health issues often get swept under the rug, and it’s high time we start listening, talking, and advocating for ourselves. This is why I’m so thankful to come across this personal story on social media. With the patient’s permission, I’m sharing her story (and I hope you do, too!).
Jill’s story is one that too many women have lived: years of unexplained health issues, frustration, and being told by doctors that everything was “fine,” when it clearly wasn’t. Jill trusted her gut to figure out what was really going on, even when no one else believed her. Another experience too many women understand.
For 18 years, Jill dealt with a range of bizarre and seemingly unrelated symptoms (numbness all over her body, rashes, sharp rib pain, and even a positive lupus test), but her implants were never considered as the culprit. And why would they be? After all, the doctors said, “Breast implants are FDA approved.” Like that one statement was enough to ignore all the warning signs and declining health.
It wasn’t until Jill’s body went into full rebellion mode, including a numb tongue for a month, that she did what we all need to do: she started listening to herself. She trusted that something wasn’t right. So, she did some deep research, and the answer stabbed her like a scalpel: Breast Implant Illness. That nagging voice providers encouraged her to ignore for years finally became her loudest ally.
After a major “aha” moment, Jill learned about the term explant, which means removing both the implants and the surrounding capsules—because yes, those capsules, which are built by your body to protect itself from foreign invaders (hello, toxic silicone!), can cause more harm than the implants themselves. Jill’s surgeon in Cleveland, Dr. Feng, is a hero in this space, and she’s been performing these surgeries since the 90s. After her explant surgery, Jill discovered the full extent of the damage. Her capsules had extended over five ribs and adhered to three of them, causing sharp pain and an array of health issues.
The results were staggering. She learned that the implants, even without rupture, were leaking toxic chemicals (like silicone and heavy metals) into her body. And for those of us who think this is all just a minor issue, let me hit you with a little fun fact: 40% of what the medical community learns in med school will be wrong in 10 years (yup, you read that right). Talk about a wake-up call, huh?
Jill’s story is a powerful reminder of why we need to trust our own voices, even when the medical community says, “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Doctors are humans, and sometimes they miss the mark. But you know who never misses? You, when you listen to your body and refuse to be dismissed.
So, Jill’s advice to anyone considering implants or struggling with symptoms they can’t explain? Do your research. Understand the risks. Be your own advocate, because the journey to healing might just start with a doctor dismissing a very real and serious concern.
If you’re reading this and you’re in a similar situation, don’t wait for someone to validate your pain. Start speaking up, start pushing, and start trusting your gut. You deserve answers. Not sure where to start? Contact me.
Here are some other resources she suggests checking out:
Little Engine Patient Advocacy 
Leave a comment