Fw: Please_do_not_use_breast_implants_anymo

[Guest guest]

Here is 's excellent letter to Dr. Wells, FDA Chief. He needs to hear from ALL of US!

Thanks, MM

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters"Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices"4416 Willow LaneDallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message ----- From: S. WIlkins

MARTHA ; drkolb@...

Cc: S. Wilkins

Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 11:01 PM

Subject: Please_do_not_use_breast_implants_anymo

Dear Dr. Wells: First, let me congratulate you on your appointment. However, you may be more than a little overwhelmed when you encounter the fire your organization is under from breast-implanted women throughout North America. My name is WIlkins, and I live in Vidalia, Georgia.

Very recently, I discovered that I had double lumen silicone gel implants after believing since a mastectomy in l985 that I had only saline. I was implanted with silicone after my specific directions and refusal to have silicone, because I had learned something about the dangers prior to my surgery. I have had so many problems which for now appear to have been caused by my breast implants. I have been very sick and suffer with chronic muscle and nerve pain as well as major depression. Now my breast are disfigured. I am easily frustrated and unable to concentrate and focus resulting in inability to effectively conduct personal business, process my health insurance claims for refunds, or routinely carry out my financial responsibilities in a normal length of time. My physical and mental functioning deteriorated until I was no longer able to work and had to cut short at 23 year career in vocational rehabilitation counseling. I am no longer able to participate in even the mildest of sports activity due to the loss of co-ordination, balance, and pain I experience when exerting myself. Formerly, I was an avid bowler, but now even necessary shopping is very difficult because of the increasing pain in my lower body and extremities and shortness of breath on exertion. I have difficulty sleeping and I become emotional stressed and suicidal without medications. My monthly prescription and OTC medications

cost about $1,000 per month and has for the last few years. I cannot imagine what my medical bills have amounted to, but I do know that I have lost many dollars because I have been unable to recoop my losses by billing my insurance.

My life has been changed drastically by breast implantsl. Some of my medical conditions are as follows: shortness of breath, allergies, and increasing chest discomfort; myofacial pain disorder with loss of range of motion in my shoulders, neck, and arms,hips, knees, and ankles; scleroderma and skin lesions; swelling in joints in hands and feet interferring with simple task requiring use of my hands or feet; weight gain due to lack of exercise and stiffiness resulting in limited flexibility and loss of agility and balance. Hopefully the details of my personal saga and what I have lost will suffice to explain why I am no longer em-

ployed as a professional counselor unable to maintain my home without assistance from a housekeeper. My spouse does most of the cooking. It is well documented in medical literature that most breast implants rupture and silicone migrates to every organ in the body. Many plastic surgeons fail to tell clients about the chemical nature of breast implants, especially silicone gel. Some plastic surgeons do not know how to remove ruptured implants properly, thus creating ongoing complications. I am facing explant of bilateral breast implants in a few days, having been deceived with regard to silicone gel by my implanting plastic surgeon.

I am concerned that women who have had mastectomies are being implanted i because cancer is deadly. These women already have compromised immune systems because of the cancer. Statistics will likely reveal that most of these women die much sooner than they would without implants. Victims of breast implant illnesses refer to it as the "silent epidemic," because many women do not reveal that they have been implanted. Many women just do not want to tell anyone that they have breast implants...not even their husbands! While I do not blame all plastic surgeons; some have known for years about the dangers of all breast implants and have inserted them anyway. I am blaming the manufacturers. They knew more than 40 years ago that silicone was not safe to implant into the human body. You and I both know that they covered up their internal research and went into production anyway. The rest...well...is implant history. I appeal to you, as the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, to ensure that the members of your organization act with the highest honor in their "Dr. - patient" relations. Tell all women that a safe breast implant has yet to be invented. Tell all women that all breast implants have a high rupture or breakdown rate. Tell all women that a saline breast implant is encased in silicone. Tell all women that they are going to be facing multiple surgeries once they have breast implants inserted. Tell all women that there is abundant refereed medical literature that describes the problems that many women are having. Do not tell all women that saline and "Gummi-Bear" implants are completely safe: one ruptures and releases the contents of a dirty aquarium into the body, and the other breaks down or melts and releases undesirable and toxic chemicals into the body. Do not tell all women that the rupture rate is minimal when it has been proved to be 70% or greater! Do not tell all mastectomy patients that it is a good idea to have breast implants inserted...even if they want them! With respect,

S. Wilkins