Category: B.I.I. and Explant Education

Does the thought of talking to your spouse about explanting give you sweaty palms? You’re not alone, sister.

Making the decision to remove your breast implants is a tough one. Let alone knowing you’re going to have to sit down and tell your spouse what you’re about to do. You wouldn’t be alone if you wondered…

Will money be an issue?

What if he tries to convince me it’s not my implants making me sick?

Will he be unsupportive and tell me I’m making the wrong decision?

What if he’s supportive at first, but then later on down the road discovers he isn’t attracted to me anymore and leaves?

These are totally normal thoughts for you to have before the big talk.

When I first heard about Breast Implant Illness and started learning all about it, I made sure to show my husband just about everything I was discovering.

For me it was about validation.

It was about me showing my hubby that there are thousands of women just like me who have explanted and got better shortly after.

“See, I’m not crazy!”

John and I have been together since 2010, so he has seen firsthand how shitty (to say the least) I’ve been feeling for the last four years.

But at the end of the day, he just wanted me back.

The energetic, funny, fun to be around version of me.

Not the low vibe, never wanting to go anywhere or do anything, anxiety-filled, foggy brained, ‘always complaining about something’ version of me.

And to be clear and blunt…

ULTIMATELY, this is your decision – you know what is best for your body and health.

If your spouse knows how sick you’ve been over the years, I hope he’d be supportive of your decision to explant and want what’s best for you.

If he’s not supportive, shame on him. That’s all I’ll say about that — for now (blog post coming soon).

Then again, if you’ve only been with him for a couple of months or years and you’ve been hiding your illness well, he probably has no clue as to how bad you feel, which isn’t his fault.

Communication is everything.

This is an amazing article about clean communication. I highly recommend reading it before you sit down with your husband, if you think he’s not going to take this decision well.

Here’s the thing, chances are your spouse isn’t the one scrolling through the internet trying to figure out what’s wrong with you. Am I right? Let alone feverishly reading through tens of thousands of stories in these Facebook Groups about women who explanted and got their life back. You are.

It’s up to you to bring him into your world and show him what you’ve been discovering.

Men need to be educated on Breast Implant Illness and the explanting process, too.

The more they know, the more comfortable they’ll feel about this entire process — and that starts with YOU communicating, and understanding some of the potential thoughts and emotions he might experience in the process of that communication.

Let him know you’re not asking for permission, you’re asking for support.  💗

And remember… it’s not only a big change for you, it’s going to be a big change for him too.

This is a big change, and it will take understanding, patience and communication from both sides. 

If you’re on Facebook join my community, Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation And Education With Christina

Not on Facebook? Find me on Instagram!

here’s to newfound health, rejuvenation and massive self-love,

❤︎ Christina Dennis

Deciding to explant can be a nerve wrecking decision, to say the least. Anxiety, anxiousness and fear get the best of us.

“What if something happens to me during surgery?”

“Will my husband still be attracted to me?”

“What if I’m completely flat or deformed?”

These are all totally normal thoughts and concerns.

I’m a believer in the power of the mind, and how it’s one of the most powerful tools you can use to your advantage to turn any circumstance or situation around. 

Instead of focusing on what could go wrong or what you don’t want (regarding any area of life), you want to focus on only positive outcomes and what you do want.

“I don’t want to be in pain after surgery. It’s not going to be a slow or difficult surgery.“, is incorrect.

“I’m going to feel amazing after my surgery! It’s going to go by quick and everything will go smooth!”, is correct.

You don’t want to say words like pain, slow and difficult. Instead you want to choose words that you want, like amazing, quick and smooth. 

Make sense?

Your body picks up on words.

Words carry a vibration.

That vibration will either empower you or weaken you – quite literally.

Here are eight things that’ll help emotionally prepare you for surgery:

1. EFT or emotional freedom technique. Brad Yates is one of the most popular EFT leaders and teachers you can learn from. Essentially, emotional freedom technique is a healing technique that can cure physical, emotional and performance problems. When correctly performed, EFT combines the benefits of conventional cognitive therapy with the physical benefits of meridian stimulation. The idea behind EFT is that emotional stress can diminish the body’s natural healing ability. The technique utilizes the Chinese meridian system, which consists of a complicated network of energy circuits running through our bodies. EFT utilizes two simultaneous processes: while we concentrate on the specific emotional, physical or performance issue to be fixed, we tap certain meridian points on our body with our fingertips. Tapping, as it’s also called, is very easy to learn and can be used anytime and anywhere.

2. Visualization and Meditation. In an eight week study, a meditation called “Mindfulness Meditation”, reduced the inflammation response caused by stress. Meditation has also been shown to reduce anxiety, decrease blood pressure and improve sleep. Visualization can go hand in hand with meditation! While you’re sitting in a quiet place, visualize yourself full of energy, strong and happy. Visually take yourself through a fun filled day doing all things that you haven’t been able to do in a while. If you can see it, you can achieve it. You’ll see it when you believe it – not the other way around.

3. Journal. If you’re too fidgety or meditating isn’t your thing, writing in a journal is good way to get your feelings out on paper. Journaling alone is therapeutic, and is a good way to get things out of your head and out in front of you. Journaling about your feelings, symptoms and what you look forward to will be interesting to look back at one day.

4. Communicate as much as possible. Bottling things up inside is not healthy. If you’re feeling nervous, scared or anxious about your surgery or symptoms, speak to someone about it. I have a safe Facebook group, Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation And Education By Christina, that is full of women just like you. They are on all walks of their journey. Some are waiting to explant, some just discovered Breast Implant Illness and some have explanted and are looking for support with recovery and healing. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, we welcome you. 

5. Don’t get consumed or side tracked by other peoples story’s. Something I did while waiting for my surgery, that I wish I wouldn’t have, was listening to too many peoples story’s about their explant surgery. Some story’s were so horrific! Everything from leaking implants, longer than expected surgeries, to infections afterwards – I was freaking myself out. I know the feeling of being excited and nervous about your explant, but be careful and mindful what you expose yourself to on social media and online.

6. Watch funny movies. Laughing is so good for the body! Did you know that laughing has been shown to boost your T-cell count? T-cells are specialized immune system cells that fight off sickness. Laughing also releases endorphines, eases anxiety and tension and improves your overall well-being. Plus, laughing just feels good. When was the last time you had a good belly laugh?

7. Have faith and release what you can’t control. As much as I’m a control freak who likes to know what’s going on at all times, I’m also really good at letting go of what I have no control over. When I hear someone tell me that they’re worried about surgery or about the way they’ll look, I find myself reminding them that no matter what they do or how well they plan for surgery, these two things are ultimately out of their control. No matter what you do, how much you plan or how much you worry, it won’t change or help anything. All you can really control are your emotions, thoughts and actions. 

8. Learn as much as you can about the procedure and your surgical team. Like I mentioned above, peace of mind and knowing how things work is what helps me emotionally. I do not like to be in the dark, especially when it comes to my health and safety. During your consultation ask questions, get to know your surgeon, get familiar with the procedure and what to expect afterwards. 

Is there something you do that I didn’t mention? Comment below and tell me.

If you’re on Facebook, join my community Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation and Education With Christina

Not on Facebook? Find me on Instagram! 

here’s to newfound health, rejuvenation and massive self-love,

🖤Christina Dennis

I polled my Facebook Group and my surgeons Facebook Group and asked them “what did you do the week and days leading up to your surgery?” Here’s what I got. 

What To Do One Week Prior To Surgery:

1. 1. *Make sure all of your prescriptions are filled and you know how to take them.

1. 1. *Buy Arnica. This helps with bruising and swelling.

1. 1. Oil of Oregano is an amazing antibiotic. Double check with your surgeon to see if they approve you taking this instead of antibiotics.

1. 1. Get off all medications and supplements that your surgeon doesn’t want you on.

1. 1. *Buy pineapple and/or juice (the bromine in it helps with bruising and healing).

1. 1. *Buy aloe juice and/or prune juice. These are natural laxatives.

1. 1. *Cook off as much food as possible (chicken, rice, vegetables, bone broth, etc.) and cut up fruit. That way you don’t have to cook or cut anything for a few days post-surgery.

1. 1. Stay hydrated, drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces.

1. 1. Get lots of rest.

1. 1. Visualize how you want the surgery to go. “Everything’s going to go smooth and fast. It’s going to be an easy surgery for my surgeon and he/she is going to be well rested and fed. When I wake up I’m going to feel great! MY recovery is going to be a breeze.” Call it in!

1. 1. *Have loose fitting clothes put out. Pulling up jeans and trying to twist into tight tops is going to be slightly complicating. I wore pj pants and short or leggings for weeks (and weeks and weeks).

1. 1. *Dry Shampoo. That’s all I have to say about that, in my Forest Gump voice.

What To Do One To Three Days Before:

1. 1. Do all laundry, dishes, sweep and mop the floors, clean the kitty litter, take out the garbage and whatever other chores and errands you need ran (groceries, post office, pay bills, etc.). Having a clean house to come home and not much on your to-do list is the b.e.s.t!

1. 1. *Put things like your shampoo and conditioner, body lotion and body wash, face wash/moisturizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, makeup, toilet paper, supplements/medications, cups and plates in the kitchen and other things at waist height. This way you don’t have to bend down or reach for anything.

1. 1. *Set up your bed or couch with lots of pillows to prop up on and blankets.

1. 1. *Make sure you have a ride to and from surgery.

1. 1. If you’re documenting your journey, like me and so many others, take photos and videos.

*bring to or do at the hotel, if traveling.

If You’re Staying At A Hotel Or Traveling:

1. 1. Make sure where you’re staying has a fridge to store perishables and a microwave.

1. 1. Load up on lots of water, fresh fruit and snacks (especially if you’re on medication to have something in your belly).

1. 1. Make sure you have an extra sports bra, a size larger than you think you’ll need, so that if you need to wash your compression bra you’ll have something to put the new ladies in 🙂 You’ll want to be sure it’s slightly larger because you don’t want the bra band to touch your incisions.

1. 1. Lyft has an app where you can schedule a driver to come to you – even in the wee hours of the morning (Uber does not). If you need to get picked up for your one day post-op checkup or need a ‘lyft‘ to the airport, schedule your driver to come beforehand.

1. 1. Check all the above with a ( * ) to be sure you don’t forget anything for the hotel or place you’re staying.

If I missed anything, I apologize. Please tell me if I did so that I can add it to the list for future readers.

Did this help? Comment below and tell me!

Join my Facebook Group  – Breast Implant Illness Rejuvenation And Education By Christina

Not on Facebook? Find me on Instagram!

here’s to newfound health, rejuvenation and massive self-love,

♥️ Christina Dennis