Today marks my one-year explant anniversary. I had a complete capsulectomy via en bloc of saline under the muscle breast implants on August 7, 2019 by the very gifted Dr. Amy DeRosa. Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills, Michigan. Finding Dr. Amy was a true miracle and blessing. I believe she saved my life.

In July of 2001 I chose to undergo breast augmentation. After breastfeeding four daughters I was left with very little breast tissue. My actual breast size was an A minus, according to my plastic surgeon. It took me three years to finally decide to go ahead with the surgery, mainly because I was afraid to put foreign objects into my body. But my doctor reassured me that very few women experience negative ramifications from breast implants. He told me the FDA had worked through all the problems associated with them. I had found an amazing plastic surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio and I still greatly respect him. After my surgery was complete I felt as though I had my life back and could move on from feeling like a 12 year old girl.

As time advanced, I began to have numerous symptoms.  They began slowly.  Within two years (after implanting) I had a LONG list of symptoms.

• Crashing Fatigue
• Cognitive Dysfunction / Brain Fog / Memory Loss
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Muscle Pain and Weakness / Joint Problems
• Premature Aging
• Unexplained Weight Gain.  Almost 20 pounds.
• Chronic Inflammation – Everywhere
• Chronic Insomnia / Poor Sleep
• Vision Disturbances
• Hyper/Hypo Thyroid Symptoms
• Hyper/Hypo Adrenal Symptoms
• Hormonal Imbalances of Great Magnitude
• Throat Symptoms: Choking Sensation / Throat Clearing
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Vertigo.  So much so I could no longer drive.
• Night Sweats / Intolerant to Heat and Cold
• Ongoing Bacterial and Viral Infections
• Tinnitus / Ear Ringing
• Numerous Food Intolerances that I never had before.
• Headaches / Migraines
• Slow Muscle Recovery After Activity
• Heart Palpitations / Changes in Heart Rhythm
• Dehydration Symptoms that were not resolved by hydration.
• Frequent Urination
• Numbness and Tingling of Extremities
• Toxic Shock Symptoms
• Shortness of Breath
• Anxiety, Depression and Panic Attacks.  Super debilitating. 
• Agoraphobia. Was close to housebound for six years.
• Felt Like I was Dying. 
• Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
• Symptoms of Lyme Disease
• Symptoms of Auto-Immune Diseases
• Diagnosis of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

I’m probably missing a few… but the above list is a snap-shot of the symptoms I experienced, and they continued to worsen.  I had every test imaginable ordered through my medical doctor and also through my naturopathic doctor.  “Medically” they found nothing wrong with me, year after year – boat loads of tests – yet I had everything wrong with me.  My body was failing me.

Fast forward to early 2019 when a friend from high school contacted me, who also had implants, and asked me if I had been mysteriously sick. The answer was YES – although, at the time, I was in denial that my symptoms were caused by my implants. Rational thinking told me that others get foreign devices in their bodies with seemingly no ill effects, and this was “just” cosmetic surgery. Shouldn’t be a life-threatening event. At least at the time I didn’t think so. My friend had mysterious symptoms and discovered they were caused by her implants. She had them removed by an experienced surgeon. My friend began to recover. (The doctor who implanted you is NOT the doctor you should hire for explanting. Implants must be removed properly and completely; including the scar capsule…. otherwise you won’t recover.) Unfortunately, at this time no test exists to determine if you are being poisoned by your implants. They must be removed to determine if they are the cause of your health problems.

My friend invited me to join a facebook group of thousands of women called “Breast Implant Illness and Healing by Nicole.” My relationship with the women there grew, and my eyes were opened to the truth behind ALL of my health problems. I had been exceptionally healthy prior to implants. The only saving grace was my many years of experience within the natural healing realm and the great bodily care I followed through on. Otherwise I don’t believe I would be here writing this story of recovery and victory.

All the dots connected. God orchestrated locating an experienced surgeon and through a set of divine circumstances I landed firmly in the office of Dr. Amy DeRosa of West Bloomfield, Michigan. My earth angel. And here I am one year later. My life and health are being restored.

My recovery from “surgery” went well. But I was SO thankful to know what was ahead of me as my body began to naturally detox at around the 3.5 month post-op marker. Many of the women ahead of me stated that they noticed significant detoxification waves begin at around the time I started to experience them. NOT FUN to go through…. but vitally important as my body began to rid itself of 18 years of poisoning. Heavy Metals, Chemicals, Neuro-toxins and God knows what else…but it all needed to be eliminated. Thankfully our miraculously made bodies know what they are doing. If all the detox happened at once I most likely wouldn’t have survived it. It was grueling to go through.

My first detox wave began at approximately the 3.5 post op timeline and lasted 9 weeks. I was unable to leave the house for much of anything. Thank God for my family. When my husband was busy with business (we own and operate three funeral homes) one of my family members would come sit with me and make sure I was fed, and getting my supplements down me. Plus I was afraid to be alone. My family would drive me to my medical, chiropractic and naturopathic doctor checkups. They were my lifeline. My family continued to encourage me saying “this too shall pass.” But honestly there were times I felt I had really messed up my life, forever. At times I believed I may not survive this huge mistake.

Detoxification was a series of baby steps…. because my body wouldn’t allow assisted detox for quite some time. My duty was to eat as clean and organic as possible, drink my fruit and veggie smoothies, foot soaks once a week which included Ionic Foot Soaks when I could tolerate them. My functional medicine doctor ordered a variety of tests and lab work. Especially heavy metal toxicity, chemical toxicity, adrenal / thyroid function and heart health testing. I had a LOT of work to do and a long list of findings. I have often said it takes a village to heal Sheila…and it truly has. Big shout outs to my healing team: Dr. Amy DeRosa, Dr. Joseph Love, Beaumont Hospital Farmington, Dr. Mark Leventer, Dr. DeLynn Lake, Barb Newton, Sandy Beach, Dr. Jim Spencer, Dr. Kara Spencer Warren, Kim Decker and David Johnson. I pray I didn’t miss anyone. <3

My dad passed away in July of 2019, two weeks after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. My surgery had been scheduled and I honestly felt I would need to cancel it due to his illness. My Dad told me he didn’t want me canceling my surgery; that I needed to go through with it regardless of everything. The Good Lord took my Dad home on July 24, 2019, only two weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer…. with a two-week window remaining until my scheduled explant surgery. God was with us. It was a rough journey for certain.

Dr. Leventer ordered all my pre-op testing, which was completed progressively through the month of July. He ultimately gave final approval for my surgery. Yet he did wonder if the timing was right when he was made aware I had just lost my father. Doc was concerned. Time was of the essence and I needed to get those toxic bags out of me, so I trusted God’s directive pertaining to the timing of my surgery. And especially the fact that a surgical appointment arrived earlier than I had expected. Some women wait months and months for their surgery date to arrive. My surgery date seemed to be pushed along and brought about sooner than later. I trusted the journey. My consult with Dr. DeRosa was in early July, with an August 7th surgical opening due to a cancellation…so I took it.

As of this writing many of my debilitating symptoms have evaporated. I have naturally lost 21 pounds to date, with very little effort. I’m healing and returning to normal life. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel like myself. I was certain I had lost her. The Sheila I once knew. But I’m slowly finding myself again. My strength and resolve are returning. The person I was before is returning, and all that was meant to be removed from me is also being eliminated. Physically – Emotionally – Spiritually. God has – and is -working a miracle in my life. From Glory to Glory.

All things happen for a reason. If I had to make the choice over again… knowing what I know now…I never would have had breast augmentation surgery. But for some reason I’m here to tell my story of healing from breast implant illness. If I can prevent even ONE soul from experiencing the suffering I have been through, it will all be worth it. I’m an open book. Feel free to contact me anytime. I have recently set up a private facebook group called Breast Implant Illness Healing. You will also find us on Instagram: breast_implant_illness_healing We are birds of a feather, openly and transparently supporting one another towards complete recovery. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.

God Bless,

Sheila VanHemert ~ Breast Implant Illness Survivor

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