Have you heard of breast implant illness? Serena hadn't and put her symptoms of not feeling 'quite right' then 'very ill' down to the peri-menopause / menopause. She went for tests and was told all was well but she certainly didn't feel it was. One day she came across another woman's story and realised that the symptoms she was experiencing were those of breast implant illness.
Serena shares the hurdles she faced to be able to have 'explant' surgery, what that actually means and involves and why it's important to have the capsules removed as well. Post surgery she discovered she had actually had the PIP implants. It is still early days for Serena and she is finding out more about what the lasting implications are for her going forward.
She reflects back on why she had implants originally and what she has learnt about herself as a result. She is one of thousands of woman suffering from BII but luckily could afford to go privately to have them removed. She advises anyone thinking of having implants to ensure they also have the funds in place to have them removed. We discuss the role of the NHS when things go wrong and should it 'pick up the tab' for those that have chosen to have implants.