Michelle Visage's Health Journey and Explant Decision
Michelle Visage's journey to removing her breast implants is a powerful narrative that brings attention to the struggles many individuals face with chronic, undiagnosed health issues. After receiving her first set of implants in her early 20s, and subsequent sets later on, Visage spent decades experiencing a host of health problems. These included symptoms like chronic fatigue, hair loss, unexplained weight fluctuations, and cognitive issues often described as "brain fog". At 29, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland. For many years, she sought help from numerous doctors, all of whom dismissed her symptoms and rejected the possibility that her implants were the cause.
The Search for Answers and Discovery of BII
Feeling dismissed and defeated by the medical community, Visage eventually turned to her own research. This led her to online support groups for women experiencing similar health issues after getting breast implants. It was through these groups that she was introduced to the concept of Breast Implant Illness (BII). BII is a term used by patients to describe a wide range of systemic symptoms, though it is not yet officially recognized as a medical diagnosis by many doctors due to limited conclusive research.
Connecting with other women whose stories mirrored her own provided the validation Visage had been lacking for decades. She came to the conclusion that her implants were the "invader" that was triggering her autoimmune system. Her decision to have explant surgery was a personal one, based on her own research and belief that removing the implants was the only way to address her debilitating symptoms.
Documenting the Experience with "Explant"
Visage took the courageous step of documenting her entire process in the 2021 film, Explant. The documentary, directed by Jeremy Simmons, follows her through her surgery and recovery, while also exploring the history of breast implants and the ongoing controversy surrounding BII. The film is not anti-plastic surgery, but rather advocates for transparency and the importance of listening to patients' concerns. Visage's decision to share her story openly was meant to empower other women to take control of their health and not feel silenced by medical professionals.
Understanding Breast Implant Illness (BII)
While the medical community continues to research the potential link, BII refers to a wide spectrum of symptoms that can affect individuals with saline or silicone breast implants. These symptoms are often systemic and can include:
- Chronic fatigue and brain fog
- Joint and muscle pain
- Hair loss
- Skin rashes and inflammation
- Anxiety and depression
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal issues
Visage, who was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a specific type of autoimmune disease, felt a strong connection between her implants and the autoimmune flare-ups she experienced. Many advocates for BII believe that implants can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can be particularly problematic for those with a pre-existing autoimmune condition.
A Comparison of Common Concerns with Breast Implants
To provide clarity on potential issues, here is a comparison of different implant-related health concerns:
| Concern | Description | Visage's Experience | Medical Community View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast Implant Illness (BII) | A patient-reported constellation of symptoms believed to be connected to implants. Symptoms are systemic and varied. | Believed her illness was BII, which exacerbated her Hashimoto's symptoms. | Limited scientific evidence; many doctors still debate its existence as a diagnosis. |
| Hashimoto's Disease | An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. | Diagnosed at age 29; symptoms were exacerbated while her implants were in place. | A recognized autoimmune disorder, though the trigger for the immune response is not always known. |
| BIA-ALCL | A rare form of cancer (lymphoma) associated with certain textured breast implants. | Not related to her specific health issues; she had explant for BII and Hashimoto's symptoms. | A medically recognized, though rare, risk of breast implants, especially textured ones. |
| Capsular Contracture | Hardening of the scar tissue around the implant, causing pain and distortion. | Not a primary reason for her explant; her focus was on systemic illness. | A well-known potential complication of implant surgery. |
What the Explant Surgery Entailed
Michelle Visage underwent a complete explant procedure, which typically involves not just removing the implant itself but also the fibrous capsule of scar tissue that forms around it. For someone with potential BII concerns, an "en bloc" capsulectomy is often recommended, where the entire capsule and implant are removed in one piece. Her recovery was described as difficult, especially given her autoimmune condition. She noted feeling worse before she started to feel better, with her body needing significant time to heal after decades with the implants.
Recovery and Advocacy
Following her surgery, Visage has continued to use her platform to raise awareness about breast implant illness and the importance of patient advocacy. She emphasizes that her choice was a health-driven one, prioritizing her wellbeing over cosmetic appearance. Her documentary and candid interviews have brought a powerful, human face to a medical issue that is often marginalized, giving a voice to the tens of thousands of women who report similar health struggles.
For more detailed, science-backed information on breast implant illness and other potential complications, consult resources like the FDA's overview on the topic: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants. While Visage's story is anecdotal, her advocacy has pushed for greater transparency and research within the medical and plastic surgery communities.
Conclusion
Michelle Visage's decision to remove her breast implants was a direct response to a years-long battle with unexplained health problems, which she and many other patients attribute to Breast Implant Illness (BII). Despite initial skepticism from doctors, her persistence led her to the conclusion that her implants were contributing to her chronic autoimmune condition, Hashimoto's disease. Her story, documented in the film Explant, serves as a crucial case study in patient advocacy and the complex, often controversial, issues surrounding long-term health risks associated with breast implants. Her experience highlights the critical need for both increased medical research and better-informed consent for individuals considering cosmetic surgery.
