According to an article in the Journal of Psychology, 69-84% of women struggle with poor body image. When a woman decides to get breast implants, that decision stems from many different experiences. For some it may be comparison to other women. Some may have concern for what their partner will think about body. Some women see it as a general improvement in their looks, others are searching for femininity.
I don’t know that any one answer is correct or more relevant than another. However, all responses go back to body image, body shaming and being uncomfortable in your own skin.
I chose to get breast implants because I felt my body was disproportioned, my breasts were not flattering and didn’t fit my body. I thought it would bring me confidence and self-assurance. I was athletic with a fit, curvy body- except my chest. I was already married, my husband totally against the idea by the way, but kept pressing the issue for myself. I was very adamant that I was doing this for me and no one else.
I did do it for me, but I was seeking something that wasn’t found in breast implants. I liked them. I was happy with how they turned out. However, it did not fix my body image issues or bring me the self-confidence I was looking for. That came years later through trials of motherhood, accepting my changing body after children, lots of self-help books and personal reflection and growth.
I hope by sharing candidly, my daughter will not struggle with the same things I did. I hope other women, young and old, find the courage to dig deeper into the root cause of body image struggles to help heal themselves rather than mask it with a temporary fix.
I am grateful I found my way and was able to make the connection between my health struggles and the constant steady stream of poison the breast implants were feeding my body. Having the confidence and courage to remove them was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. But, five weeks later and living my life more vibrantly than the past few years proves that my body does not define me, and breast implant illness is real.
For those curious, in this short time I have less joint pain, the numbness and tingling in my hands has completely gone away, my chronic neck and shoulder pain is gone, I can breathe deeper, increased energy, and better cognition!
If you are struggling with breast implant illness or know someone that is, please share this blog with them or reach out with any questions regarding my procedure and recovery.