Sherri’s Implant Story

In 2001, after breastfeeding my first two children, I noticed my breasts were uneven. Seeking a solution, I consulted with a plastic surgeon about breast implants. However, I found the information provided to be lacking.

The surgeon assured me that saline breast implants were FDA-approved, completely safe, and would last a lifetime. The surgeon also painted an amazing picture of how I would look after the surgery. Without hesitation, I scheduled the procedure and had saline implants placed under the muscle. As expected, my breasts looked natural and full, and my confidence was restored.

Two years after getting the implants, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I constantly felt exhausted, but doctors dismissed it as a normal part of being a mom. I remember my children, aged 2 and 4 at the time, waking up early and taking care of themselves while I slept until 10 am. When I returned to work, I experienced brain fog and concentration problems that affected my performance. I discussed these issues with my primary care doctor, but he attributed them to the challenges of being a busy working mom and prescribed medications. Then baby number three arrived.

The symptoms persisted, and in 2007, I began experiencing frequent headaches and painful bladder spasms. I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, an autoimmune response that attacked my bladder. Shortly after, I started experiencing muscle and joint pain, including numbness and pain in my left breast. These concerns were dismissed as a result of my running and race training. I also struggled with breathing and was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma. I found myself sleeping as much as I trained. My hair began to thin, and I developed worsening cystic acne. Once again, my doctors attributed these issues to being a working mom, intense training, and the natural effects of aging, suggesting that I increase or add more medications.

In 2017, I developed fibroids that required ablation surgery. Additionally, abnormal blood work revealed thyroid abnormalities, leading to a diagnosis of Hashimoto's, another autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid.