Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hey , I'm so glad you joined us, though I'm really, really sorry to hear of all the troubles you've been through with your health since getting the breast reduction and unrequested implant....wow, what a nightmare that is! The doctor really screwed that up... I see you are in Mesa, AZ, which is where I traveled to get my explant. I was explanted by Dr. Karl Hiatt, and he did my explant just as I requested him to do it....with en bloc removal. I am wondering if you can see him for explant? Your situation is so sad....the loss of everything you held dear, and you are not alone. I've heard of many women in your shoes, unfortunately, from breast implants and the health complications that arise after that event. I wish there were easy answers for you....the most important is getting the implants out for good, with possible mastopexy (breast lift). Of course, the doctor is the one to decide that. But getting the implants removed will cost several thousand dollars and with no money, it is a difficult situation. This is the number one issue with women wanting explant....coming up with the money to do it. But many have found creative ways, such as breeding dogs, selling off assets that they valued, borrowing from friends and family, whatever it takes. I hate that you are in this position..it should have never happened! I do not know if you have any legal grounds for what this doctor did, as probably a statute of limitations may be in play, but it may be worthwhile looking into it as a possible avenue for recovery. I usually don't suggest going the legal route with our implant issues, because it is fraught with angst and anxiety, but there are situations that warrant it. I am wondering if yours would be one, since you never requested an implant to begin with. In any case, please keep us posted on any developments...you can move forward in life with a plan. Your health has a chance of getting better. There are never any guarantees with explant that a woman will recover fully, but we've seen enough women get their life back that we know it is possible. You sound like all of us...having a life before implants that was full of energy, health, fun, laughter, joy, excitement, and then getting ill and losing the joy of life completely. I felt like a social paraiah when I got sick, not wanting to be around anyone, and nobody wanting to be around a sick person either. It's so hard. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Please let me know if you call Dr. Hiatt and if he can be of any help. He got my insurance to cover my explant, so he went the extra mile for me. I know you don't have insurance, but I'm wondering if he can help. I know he did medical missions in the past. Take care and keep us posted, Patty > > June 5, 2009 > > To Whom It May Concern: > > I'm a 40 yo female, single mom of 2 children. My story starts 18 years ago around 1991 when I was 22 years old. > > I went in for a breast reduction and it took 8 hrs. I developed a serious infection and had to have a drain put in for 4 days. After I healed which took a while, I was very scarred, but they looked pretty good and I was pretty happy. Three years later I got pregnant and had a son which I breast fed for 13 months with no problem. When I weaned him off I woke up in the morning and happened to look down and saw that my left breast was completely flat and my right breast was flat on top with a big round ball on the bottom. I was horrified and my husband said " what happened to your boobs " ? > > I called the Dr. and he told me to come in immediately which I did. I was then informed that during the surgery he " got lost " because of my large breasts. He had started with the largest which was my right and had removed tooooo much breast tissue and realized he had taken too much out, so he decided to put a small saline implant in and then matched the left breast with the implanted side. Therefore I had one implant on the right and none on the left. Remember I was not informed of this for over 4 years. At this time I walked out of the office devastated and furious. > > I went in for a consulation at another well-known Plastic Surgeon in the area. He asked me at the appointment " who did these? " and I told him the name. And he said " oh my gosh, I remember him speaking about you because I was suppose to help him that day, and I couldn't " . To make a long story short, he fixed my horrible scars and gave me 2 brand new implants and I went on my merry way. > > In 1999 I had another baby and successfully breast fed again. In 2001 I began having lots of stomach & abdominal problems which they said was IBS. No treatment – just deal with it was all the Drs. responses were. > > 2002 diagnosed with severe endometriosis and needed immediate complete hysterectomy. > > 2003 had complete hysterectomy and a 100 stitches inside because of endometriosis which was pinching off all my intestines. Five weeks after the surgery I had a blood clot go thru my heart and into my right lung and horrible excruciating back pain. In the hospital one week and sent home with steroids and blood thinner. Two days later back in the hospital with extreme back pain, achy, sharp pains in my chest, could hardly breathe and admitted back into the hospital for another 2 weeks with no diagnosis of the cause. > > After the 3rd week in the hospital, they did a lung wash and said I had Valley Fever with a positive diagnosis. Stayed in the hospital but still with back pain, exhausted, no energy, bad chest pains, couldn't sleep, no appetite, very low blood pressure, and felt like I was going to die and wanted to. After a total of one month in the hospital with no pain relief and on numerous pain medications, anti-inflamatory, muscle relaxers, Diflucan, Coumidin, etc. Constantly at the Dr. with horrible back pain, chest pains, physically exhausted, could not breathe, no energy, depressed and no one had any answers. > > For the past 6 ½ yrs. I have gone to every Dr. imaginable for all of my ailments and get told " we can find nothing wrong, all my x-rays, MRI (does show arthritis in low back and degenerative bone disease), CAT Scans, blood work are all fine " , so they send me to the next Dr. And ask if I've seen a Psychiatrist. I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Lupus, IBS, GERD, depression, arthritis, degenerative bone disease, Bursitis. I've tried every medication they've ever given, but to no avail. They simply don't work with my pain and get no relief. > > Here are my symptoms: > - extreme fatique > - insomnia > - severe back pain between shoulders, mid-back, low back > - neck pain > - headaches > - right arm pain > - weak muscles > - joint pain > - no appetite > - stomach aches > - feels like a tight belt around the bottom of my rib cage > - sharp pain in mid back that feel like a knife stab > - constipation > - hemorrhoids > - bouts of diahhrea > - anal fizzures > - get charley horses in my legs at night > - restlessness at night because of pain (usually have broken sleep – never a good nights' rest) > - brain fog > - horrible memory > - eye sight has changed > - blurred vision > - depressed > - moody > - pissed off > - sharp pain in thru left nipple > - rib pain > - tightness in chest > - shortness of breath > - pericardial effusion > - impatient > - had suicidal thoughts but couldn't do it because of my children > - feels like my back is broken > - can't sit, stand, walk or sleep or lay down for more than 15 minutes, then have to change positions > - my personality has changed > - kidney pain > - kidney stones > - candida > - Yeast infections > - Hot flashes > - No libido > - Muscles ache > - Flu like symptoms > - Prone to whatever is going around > > > Because of my sickness I've lost friends and family, been labeled a hypochondriac, crazy, just wanting attention, broken marriage, lost jobs because I'm in and out of hospitals and can't work, lost my home. I'm sure there are more, but can't think of them. > > Had my gall bladder removed a few months ago cause Dr. in Urgent Care said it was only working 5-10% - took a long shot that that might be the answer. It did change my bowels a little bit, but still have the constant stomach ache and severe back pain and other syptoms. > > I recently came across this information about breast implants causing thousands of women to have same symptoms, pains, etc, and all relating to their implants whether they are silicone or saline. They have had or are having them removed and some of their symptoms are going away and they are feeling better. Some of the women are still sick even after 4 years. > > I have no insurance and I just lost my job, my house. I just moved into my brother's house with my 2 children, because I have no place else to go. PLEASE HELP. > > I have spent all of my money, all my life savings on medicine, medical facilities and Drs. I have " NO MORE " . I would like removal of my breast implants and would need reconstruction, because I honestly think this is my answer to prayer to getting well. I want my life back. My children deserve to have a healthy mother again. Before 2001 I was a healthy, energetic, fun loving, humorous, lots of friends and very active, went to the gym 5 days a week plus worked 40 hrs. per week+ mother & woman. This is more than I can stand and I honestly CANNOT do it anymore. > > > Carrillo > > Mesa, AZ 85205 > > staycc@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 wow, I sure can relate. i have had just about everything you named, and i had saline implants two years, explant 2 1/2 now. when i complain now about how sick i am, i have to think back to what i was like before explant, and i think i might have died from them at some point. i had this poisoned feeling, the numb right arm, fatigue, vision problems, even had a history of endo like you. been through the gallbladder stuff, really had every test known, and many drs who were rude and yes i was told to see a psych because i was just a crazy middle aged woman. so you are not alone, if you read long enough, you will see we all have gone through most of this. there are a few drs who will support you and say that yea, these things make you sick. i ended up with a bad explant with a dr who lied about doing a total capsulectomy, so i had to go back and have the capsules removed. luckily, i ended up with a great cosmetic outcome and unbelievably am a 34d which is bigger than i was before because she must have used some technique for this! i hear your desperation , i still have that, because the health problems have taken over, and i too have kids that do not have the mother they would have. i always say that all they will remember about their childhood is that i was always home. they know i am sick, i just spent 4 days in the hospital getting off pain meds. this does not sound hopeful i know, but i want you to know you are not crazy , i even had a couple psych evals that have finally vindicated me in this area, they said i have major depression caused by long term illness and pain, all agreed fibro is a real entity. it seems we are all left with some degree of this, although some overcome it. i am broke too, but i swear i would take out any debt to get out those implants. dr feng is really good in ohio. there are others we have listed, please only use the ones listed here no matter what other surgeon may tell you. nannette > > June 5, 2009 > > To Whom It May Concern: > > I'm a 40 yo female, single mom of 2 children. My story starts 18 years ago around 1991 when I was 22 years old. > > I went in for a breast reduction and it took 8 hrs. I developed a serious infection and had to have a drain put in for 4 days. After I healed which took a while, I was very scarred, but they looked pretty good and I was pretty happy. Three years later I got pregnant and had a son which I breast fed for 13 months with no problem. When I weaned him off I woke up in the morning and happened to look down and saw that my left breast was completely flat and my right breast was flat on top with a big round ball on the bottom. I was horrified and my husband said " what happened to your boobs " ? > > I called the Dr. and he told me to come in immediately which I did. I was then informed that during the surgery he " got lost " because of my large breasts. He had started with the largest which was my right and had removed tooooo much breast tissue and realized he had taken too much out, so he decided to put a small saline implant in and then matched the left breast with the implanted side. Therefore I had one implant on the right and none on the left. Remember I was not informed of this for over 4 years. At this time I walked out of the office devastated and furious. > > I went in for a consulation at another well-known Plastic Surgeon in the area. He asked me at the appointment " who did these? " and I told him the name. And he said " oh my gosh, I remember him speaking about you because I was suppose to help him that day, and I couldn't " . To make a long story short, he fixed my horrible scars and gave me 2 brand new implants and I went on my merry way. > > In 1999 I had another baby and successfully breast fed again. In 2001 I began having lots of stomach & abdominal problems which they said was IBS. No treatment – just deal with it was all the Drs. responses were. > > 2002 diagnosed with severe endometriosis and needed immediate complete hysterectomy. > > 2003 had complete hysterectomy and a 100 stitches inside because of endometriosis which was pinching off all my intestines. Five weeks after the surgery I had a blood clot go thru my heart and into my right lung and horrible excruciating back pain. In the hospital one week and sent home with steroids and blood thinner. Two days later back in the hospital with extreme back pain, achy, sharp pains in my chest, could hardly breathe and admitted back into the hospital for another 2 weeks with no diagnosis of the cause. > > After the 3rd week in the hospital, they did a lung wash and said I had Valley Fever with a positive diagnosis. Stayed in the hospital but still with back pain, exhausted, no energy, bad chest pains, couldn't sleep, no appetite, very low blood pressure, and felt like I was going to die and wanted to. After a total of one month in the hospital with no pain relief and on numerous pain medications, anti-inflamatory, muscle relaxers, Diflucan, Coumidin, etc. Constantly at the Dr. with horrible back pain, chest pains, physically exhausted, could not breathe, no energy, depressed and no one had any answers. > > For the past 6 ½ yrs. I have gone to every Dr. imaginable for all of my ailments and get told " we can find nothing wrong, all my x-rays, MRI (does show arthritis in low back and degenerative bone disease), CAT Scans, blood work are all fine " , so they send me to the next Dr. And ask if I've seen a Psychiatrist. I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Lupus, IBS, GERD, depression, arthritis, degenerative bone disease, Bursitis. I've tried every medication they've ever given, but to no avail. They simply don't work with my pain and get no relief. > > Here are my symptoms: > - extreme fatique > - insomnia > - severe back pain between shoulders, mid-back, low back > - neck pain > - headaches > - right arm pain > - weak muscles > - joint pain > - no appetite > - stomach aches > - feels like a tight belt around the bottom of my rib cage > - sharp pain in mid back that feel like a knife stab > - constipation > - hemorrhoids > - bouts of diahhrea > - anal fizzures > - get charley horses in my legs at night > - restlessness at night because of pain (usually have broken sleep – never a good nights' rest) > - brain fog > - horrible memory > - eye sight has changed > - blurred vision > - depressed > - moody > - pissed off > - sharp pain in thru left nipple > - rib pain > - tightness in chest > - shortness of breath > - pericardial effusion > - impatient > - had suicidal thoughts but couldn't do it because of my children > - feels like my back is broken > - can't sit, stand, walk or sleep or lay down for more than 15 minutes, then have to change positions > - my personality has changed > - kidney pain > - kidney stones > - candida > - Yeast infections > - Hot flashes > - No libido > - Muscles ache > - Flu like symptoms > - Prone to whatever is going around > > > Because of my sickness I've lost friends and family, been labeled a hypochondriac, crazy, just wanting attention, broken marriage, lost jobs because I'm in and out of hospitals and can't work, lost my home. I'm sure there are more, but can't think of them. > > Had my gall bladder removed a few months ago cause Dr. in Urgent Care said it was only working 5-10% - took a long shot that that might be the answer. It did change my bowels a little bit, but still have the constant stomach ache and severe back pain and other syptoms. > > I recently came across this information about breast implants causing thousands of women to have same symptoms, pains, etc, and all relating to their implants whether they are silicone or saline. They have had or are having them removed and some of their symptoms are going away and they are feeling better. Some of the women are still sick even after 4 years. > > I have no insurance and I just lost my job, my house. I just moved into my brother's house with my 2 children, because I have no place else to go. PLEASE HELP. > > I have spent all of my money, all my life savings on medicine, medical facilities and Drs. I have " NO MORE " . I would like removal of my breast implants and would need reconstruction, because I honestly think this is my answer to prayer to getting well. I want my life back. My children deserve to have a healthy mother again. Before 2001 I was a healthy, energetic, fun loving, humorous, lots of friends and very active, went to the gym 5 days a week plus worked 40 hrs. per week+ mother & woman. This is more than I can stand and I honestly CANNOT do it anymore. > > > Carrillo > > Mesa, AZ 85205 > > staycc@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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