Breast Implant Illness: Exploring Symptoms, Surgeons, and Solutions with Candice Barley
Overview
In this episode of the Mom Guilt podcast, I interview Candice Barley, an advocate for women with breast implant illness (BII). We discuss the symptoms and risks associated with breast implants, the gaslighting many women experience when seeking help, and how to find a qualified explant surgeon. Candice shares her personal journey with BII and offers guidance on detoxing and finding holistic solutions. If you're considering explant surgery or want to learn more about breast implant illness, this episode is a must-listen.
What you'll learn in this episode:
00:00 | Intro
02:16 | Candice's personal experience with BII and explanation of what it is
06:47 | Discussion on the lack of informed consent and gaslighting by surgeons regarding BII symptoms
10:21 | Candice's recovery from BII and the importance of genetics in detoxing
11:35 | Gaslighting by surgeons and the presence of biofilms within breast implant capsules
13:37 | Denial and dismissal of BII symptoms by doctors and the FDA's black box warning on implants
14:37 | Importance of removing the scar capsule when explanting breast implants
15:38 | Contaminants and bacteria can be present in the scar capsule
17:08 | Red flags when choosing an explant surgeon
18:20 | Options for explanting after a double mastectomy with reconstruction
20:38 | Addressing cosmetic concerns after explanting
23:10 | Symptoms that may indicate breast implant illness
26:41 | Tips for finding the right explant surgeon
27:40 | Importance of en-bloc explantation for removing implants and total capsulectomy in explant surgery
29:39 | The importance of detox after explant surgery
30:20 | Role of functional practitioners in post-explant surgery care
32:49 | The role of a private advocate in guiding women through the explant surgery process
33:31 | The potential risks and issues with dermal fillers
34:50 | The importance of lymphatic drainage and potential blockages caused by implants and fillers
36:19 | Trusting your intuition and listening to your body
Resources:
Candice's Instagram
How To Work With Candice
Candice's Website
Mom Guilt Podcast’s Instagram
Vanna’s TikTok
To watch this episode on video, subscribe to Vanna’s YouTube Channel
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice.
This episode is not sponsored. Product links may contain affiliate links that are eligible for a small commission.
Navigating Breast Implant Illness: Strategies, Surgeries, and Systems for Healing and Empowerment
Breast implant illness (BII) has emerged as a concern for numerous women who have undergone implant procedures for various reasons. The symptoms and health issues associated with BII are sparking conversations on wellness, preventive measures, and the importance of informed consent. In this thought leadership article, we unpack the experiences of women grappling with BII, with valuable insights provided by Candice Barley, a well-known advocate in the realm of BII awareness and recovery. We explore the significance of recognizing symptoms, the process of safe explantation, and the importance of internalized acceptance and health-focused decision-making.
Key Takeaways
Chronic fatigue, thyroid issues, and immune system responses, including inflammation, are common manifested symptoms of breast implant illness.
A correct explant procedure, including on block and total capsulectomy performed by a qualified surgeon, is crucial in addressing BII symptoms.
An individual's intuition and informed decision-making play vital roles in achieving health and wellness, especially regarding foreign materials in the body.
Recognizing the Symptoms and the Importance of Timelines
The journey of understanding and acknowledging BII often starts by recognizing a pattern of adverse health symptoms that align with the timeline of getting breast implants. Candice Barley's personal story underscores the critical nature of this realization. Women with BII frequently report experiences of chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune-like symptoms that coincide with their post-implant health timeline.
"A lot of women hear these things, and they're like, okay, I want to get an explant. I want to get my implants out, but it's very important...there can be those contaminants within the capsule," shares Barley, emphasizing the direct link between implant procedures and subsequent health issues.
By juxtaposing the pre-implant and post-implant state of wellness, individuals can better understand the impact of breast implants on their bodies. This perspective is crucial for not only those seeking answers to their unexplained symptoms but also for individuals considering getting implants.
The Explantation Process and Finding the Right Surgeon
When it comes to remedying the effects of BII, the explantation procedure is a complex process that requires a surgeon who is not only skilled but also understands the nuances of BII. As Barley puts it, "finding a qualified explant surgeon who listens to you, who believes you" is imperative in the journey toward recovery. She mentions critical terms like "on block" and "total capsulectomy," which refer to the removal of the implant and surrounding scar tissue comprehensively.
"Many of these surgeons take it upon themselves to make that decision for [women], which is the first concern in this whole issue with breast implants," Barley advocates, highlighting the necessity of patient-centered care and informed consent.
The explantation process doesn't just end with surgery; post-operative care, including pathology analysis and detox strategies, is also vital. Barley's insights unveil how a successful explant procedure can contribute to a significant improvement in health and the importance of post-operative support from knowledgeable practitioners.
Listening to Intuition and Making Informed Decisions
Beyond recognizing symptoms and surgeries, the narrative around BII integrates the deeper aspect of personal intuition. Women are often encouraged to default to medical expertise at the expense of their gut feelings—a trend that Barley challenges. When discussing foreign substances in the body, like dermal fillers, she argues that listening to our "gut intuition" is often correct.
"But the thing that I tell all the women that I work with, when they say, 'well, the doctor said this or they said this,' I said... 'What do you feel it is?' And guess what? 99% of the time, they're right," says Barley.
This section underscores that being in tune with one's body, recognizing symptoms, and making self-aware health decisions are vital. It's about leveraging empowered knowledge over passive compliance, advocating for procedures that resonate with one's well-being, and seeking out professional advice that harmonizes with personal intuition.
As we've delved into the intricacies of breast implant illness, we recognize that the journey to recovery is multifaceted. Effective treatment for BII requires acknowledging symptoms and their correlation with implant timelines, seeking qualified surgical intervention, and honoring one's intuition throughout the process. By emphasizing these aspects, women can reclaim their health autonomy and make empowered decisions related to their bodies and overall wellness. The message from advocates like Candice Barley is clear: the path to healing is paved with informed choices, authentic voices, and a holistic understanding of the body's interactions with foreign materials.