Health Testimonials

In 1993, At age 20, I had McGhan 220cc Saline implants placed over the muscle via umbilicus (TUBA) procedure.

I never had them replaced, and breastfed 3 children.

In 2016, at age 44, when I realized that many of my health issues could be a result of the implants I had them removed.

I had 38 of the BII symptoms at that time, some of which included:

-fatigue. Even after 9 hours sleep, still felt exhaustion.
-resting Pulse 99bpm.
-heart palpitations.
-anxiety.
-diagnosed adrenal fatigue.
-low blood calcium.
-joint pains on waking -knees, hips, ankles, wrists.
-achy bones/joints with weather changes.
-hair loss.
-frequent sore throats.
-chronic swollen lymph nodes/calcification.
-fibrocyctic breast disease.
-neck and back pain.
-cervical disc degeneration.
-reynauds syndrome.
-ringing in ears.
-difficulty swallowing.
-frequent skin infections/impetigo (about every three months)
-permanent “rash” around and between breasts.
-inability to sweat.
-chronic constipation.
-headaches.
-low libido.
-multiple chemical sensitivities. Very sensitive to any perfumes or smells
-multiple late onset food allergies. Over 20 foods. Began in 2001.
-gluten intolerance.
-extreme late onset seasonal allergies (began in 2001).
-severe, frequent intestinal bloating.
-swelling and water retention.

After explanting 6 months ago, I’m happy to report that almost every symptom on this list has disappeared. My energy level is through the roof, joint pain is gone, no impetigo outbreaks, resting heart rate is 78bpm, blood pressure is ten points lower, anxiety and heart palpitations gone, and my hair has stopped falling out!

My husband says I’m just “different.”

I wasn’t certain my implants were causing any of these issues, because there was no test that could “prove” it, but I’m 100% convinced now that they are out and they symptoms have disappeared. Eternally grateful for my new lease on life.

Breast implant illness patient

Below I’ll share where I was in January with my 13.5 year old saline 330cc under the muscle implants, and where I am now. I explanted with Dr. urzola in Costa Rica (cause I live here) and he did a 200 cc fat transfer.

Symptoms:

Aggressive painful rash all over my boobs & stomach that occasionally went up my neck and down my leg.
*rash disappeared days after surgery, resurfaced a tiny bit when I did a detox cleanse in march, and has mostly disappeared again. I notice that I’ll get a few spots that flare if I’m stressed or eating poorly.

High anxiety despite living a mostly low stress life
*i was going a little crazy right after surgery not being able to practice yoga, but since I’ve been back in practice I’ve noticed considerable less reactivity to people and annoyances in my life. Yay.

A libido that was an uphill battle
*this is where I’ve noticed the biggest shift. I feel so much more sensual and in touch with my body now, and my husband and I have been enjoying this shift. We’ve created a little foreplay ritual where we put essential oil in the diffuser and he massages my boobs and inner thighs (where fat transfer came from) for 20 minutes before we make love, and the difference is astounding. I find I’ve been putting the moves on him more and more, and we are the most connected sexually we’ve ever been, and we’re now exploring making a baby together. Yes to that.

bouts of depression that would come out of nowhere and last for days
*i get sidelined every now and then maybe for an hour or two by the funk, but I’m quick to snap out of it with my husband making me a grilled cheese, giving me a foot massage or anything chocolate. No one enjoys the funk.

relentless ear ringing
*it comes once a week or so, but if I drink water, exercise or throw on my audiobook, it goes away

neck & back pain
*so much better, like night and day. I always had a tender point in my rhomboids that doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m super active so of course I’m sore a lot, but I get regular massages and practice yoga 4-5 times a week to help that

brain fog and low energy
*totally disappeared, and I feel super alert, energetic and sharp and I don’t even drink coffee. I take naps in the afternoon just to improve my overall experience of my day, but not because I feel drained. I’m super empathic so at times if I’m in a group of people I’ll get a little drained, but I know how to manage my energy better now that my implants aren’t a force of draining.

arthritis
*pre explant I was struggling so much with pain in my wrists that it was effecting my yoga practice deeply. Now my wrist pain is 90% gone and I’m fine to practice yoga

breathing
*i didn’t know I was struggling with breathing until I could take a full breath. It feels like I gained an extra lung

lying face down
*whether that was in yoga, getting a massage or on my husband, lying face down always felt awkward. The first time I laid chest to chest with my husband we both cried. Awe

self perception
*now this one has been tough, I’ll be honest. I was a C with my implants and now I’m a baby A, and with that comes a change in clothes, attitude and how I move through the world. Yes I can jump rope now and run easier, but it’s been a challenge not filling out my clothes as I did. So I’m checking in with myself daily, finding new flattering bras and shirts, and reminding myself that my health is rooted in how I feel, not how I look

overall joy
*from the moment I shared my story quite publicly, the response has been powerful and inspiring. Several women messaged me privately thanking me for being so real, and many told me they were going to explant themselves or not Implant. One of them was my new sister in law, and that was so awesome. So me doing me helped a lot of women, and that brought me great joy.

My recovery

*this isn’t a quick fix ladies, healing takes a daily commitment to reverse the damage of these f’ing implants. And whether that commitment is you massaging your breasts, taking care of your scars, changing how you eat, drinking more water daily, speaking nicely to yourself, or loving how you look in your unpadded bikini, it’s all part of a practice of self love that’s gotta start with YOU today and every day. Be consistent and start with where you are now.

The gist: My boobs aren’t perfect, but I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been, and that’s what’s important.

Ok, I don’t want this to get super long so I’ll stop there.

May this message bring you what you need…comfort, trust, a reminder, some clarity, or something else positive.

Let’s keep supporting each other and remember you bring about what you focus on, so let your focus be on counting the ways your life is improving or healing.

Harriet McEntire Lanka – Breast implant illness patient and explant patient

I had cohesive gel implants placed in 2008 and almost immediately developed strange symptoms.

After exhausting all other means I discovered that my implants could be the cause of my sickness. I decided to explant with Dr. Urzola in hopes that an explant would help me. And it did. Prior to explant I had interstitial cystis with bladder pain and frequent urination, extreme chronic fatigue, tight muscles, insomnia, depression, neck and back pain, ear ringing, insomnia, brain fog, hair loss, headaches, muscle cramps, dry eyes, burning pain in my breast and slow healing cuts. Now, 18 months later I am 95% symptom free. Thank you Dr Urzola for giving my life back to me. My children thank you and my husband thank you.

Breast Implant illness patient