This was going to be a hard one. Going into the conversation I honestly didn’t know how it would end up. Men can be attached to things like women’s breasts and although I have an amazing husband who has stuck with me through thick and thin I just didn’t know how he would react to this information.
I had just learned about breast implant illness from a friend of mine who had just had explant surgery. After talking with her I knew I couldn’t go any further with my own health until he and I talked.
I laid it all out for him and waited for his response. I needn’t have worried. His response. “Your health is what matters. We will do whatever we need to do.” Whew! I knew I married a great guy.
Many others in my shoes are not so lucky. Every day I read a story of another woman who is being put through hell because her husband or boyfriend or significant other thinks her symptoms are in her own head. You can’t blame him 100% though because even many plastic surgeons and general practitioners don’t believe breast implant illness is a real diagnosis. Implant manufacturers have done a stellar job at covering up the adverse effects from implants. In March the FDA held hearings about implants hearing from women about how the implants had damaged their health and how having them removed helped them regain their health. We are hoping this starts a wake-up call in the medical community.
I’m not going to pretend to know what goes on in a man’s mind when it comes to their woman and breast implants. Heck, I don’t even know what goes on in my man’s mind. But I do know that when men decide to love their women no matter what they look like and when the size of their breasts do NOT matter, then more women are going to be healthy and live longer lives. Women need to be loved for who they are, not the size and shape of their breasts. Or any other body part for that matter!
I came across this amazing 3 minute video a few weeks ago. Alex is the husband of a woman who experienced breast implant illness. Read his commentary below the video. It was eye-opening to me. Here is his story:
https://www.facebook.com/alexcharfen1/videos/836706783131407/
The revelation about breast implant illness a few weeks ago punched me in the gut. I can’t even fathom how much more difficult it would be if my husband were not in my corner. There are women out there who are not going to have explant surgery because they don’t want to lose their spouse or boyfriend. I should probably keep my opinion about that to myself but then what is the point of this blog? I’ll just say it and take the flak for it later. If you have a spouse or boyfriend where the size of your breasts is more important than your health then you are with the wrong person. Period. UGH! I know that is easier said than done. And that is me storming the hill without consequences. Many will say give him time to come around. Have him watch the above video. Give him the info from the website www.healingbreastimplantillness.com. On that website there is everything from implant illness symptoms and safety to resources and explanting. Educate yourself and then educate him.
If you are a friend, spouse, boyfriend, or significant other of a woman with implants, please let her know that no matter what you are there for her. No matter what. Three little words that mean the world to someone. Say them today. Then do whatever it takes to help her get those toxic bags out of her so she can live her healthiest life!
My next post will be written after my own explant surgery. I’ll see you on the healthy side!
Please go to this website for more information on Breast Implant Illness. Here you can find a list of symptoms and a list of recommended surgeons.
This is Simply My Opinion,
Kathe
www.adoptioncombatzone.com
www.katheray.arbonne.com
https://www.facebook.com/kathe.ray.7