Toxic Boobs E-Book

Tamara Demontis

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 145

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Why we wrote this book: It's a lot easier to overcome some hurdles with a book, especially if you want to establish yourself as an expert on a particular subject. Nowadays, the ideal of beauty on social networks is so strong that everyone wants to look like everyone else at all costs: flawless, smooth, glowing, just "perfect." Nothing has become as difficult as standing out from the crowd. Uniqueness and authenticity are being replaced in some places by unrealistic standards of beauty. Nowadays, a book is something like a filter between the media world and reality, a way out of the information overload, according to the motto that anyone who manages to fill an entire book with his or her knowledge is quickly perceived by others as an expert. Of course, writing a book is a lot of work and doesn't happen overnight, but the topic of breast implants is so one-sidedly "wonderful" in the media and actually so "dangerous" that we would like to take the time to address it. Breast implants are described by manufacturers and most plastic surgeons as highly innovative to extremely safe and comfortable. On the one hand, breast implants are perfectly tailored to the needs of beauty standards, but on the other hand, the nature of the implants puts a constant strain on the immune system. Anyone with breast implants is carrying a 'time bomb.' We have experienced this firsthand, as have hundreds of thousands of women around the world. So what exactly is behind the product "breast implant"? Beauty craze, business, ignorance, greed? Or is it a business with a deep desire for recognition and love? .....

Leseprobe

Prefaced by Dr. Henry Dijkman

Scientist

Title book: Toxic Boobs

Author book: Tamara Demontis ♡ Co-Author: Birgit Schäfers

Prefaced by Dr. Henry Dijkman, Scientist

Firstly, an important note:

The informative part of this book reflects my experience as a patient representative from my own experience over several years. Educational work, accompanying women with the disease, participation in congresses, exchange with scientists and international groups as well as reading many studies on silicone served as the basis for the book and is presented in simple, understandable language.

(Birgit Schäfers)

Nothing contained in the content is intended to diagnose or treat disease. The authors are not doctors and make no medical or health claims. The information provided is not a substitute for a visit to a doctor, therapist, practitioner or lawyer.

The content should not be used as a basis for independent diagnosis and the commencement, modification, or termination of treatment for diseases.

Always consult your doctor/therapist in case of health questions or complaints.

Dedicated to

I dedicate this book to all women who succumb to the desire to transform an already beautiful being into an even more beautiful being through breast implants, and to my life-savers, Birgit Schäfers, founder of the German-language information campaign on breast implants and non-profit organzisation ("Krank durch Brustimplantate - Wir helfen e.V.") and Dr. Georgios Kolios, Hamburg

(Tamara Demontis)

In memory of Tanja Diener, who died at the age of 37

on 31.07.2023 from the consequences of her breast implants.

Preface

Silicone breast implants, first marketed in 1962, are worldwide used for reconstructive and cosmetic purposes. In the past decades, there has been an ongoing discussion about the toxic effects, and an association with diseases and complaints has been suggested. It is known that all silicone breast implants bleed from day 1, and due to biodegradation by enzymes, the silicones are degraded to smaller molecules, leading to toxicity, rupture, and more migration of silicone into the body.

Recently, attention refocused on breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and squamous epithelial carcinoma/lymphoma. This highlighted safety concerns with cosmetic breast implants and the increasing number of patients with breast implant illness (BII). BII is the term used when women experience various complaints ranging from brain fog, hair loss, fatigue, chest pain, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, photosensitivity autoimmune diseases such as lupus and fibromyalgia, and chronic pain all over the body.

When a silicone breast implant is implanted in the body, the body will react with capsule formation. It is generally known that the non-cohesive silicone breast implants show silicone gel bleed because the silicone was fluid. This means that when silicone implants sweat, silicone particles are released, and these particles can end up inside the capsule or migrate into the surrounding tissue and in the body.

The increase in amount of silicone in tissues is often associated with increased numbers of macrophages, fibroblasts, giant cells, and contractile myofibroblasts, which can trigger an immune response, and this all seems to relate to several harms and complaints. Also, the surface of silicone breast implants can affect the immune system. Around 2000 cohesive gel implants came on the market, assumed to be save. Data on silicone leakage and toxicity from cohesive gel breast implants is scarce, but it has been shown, in a representative group of explantations/capsule research, ranging from a few weeks after implantation until 20 years, that silicone leakage, also known as gel bleed, occurs in 99% of women with silicone breast implants (SBI), and 87% of these women had silicone particles beyond the breast tissue.

Many women are actively removing their silicone breast implants to reduce implant-associated illnesses, and on time, explantation can lead to full recovery. Despite the increased awareness of silicone toxicity/BII, there are very few scientific papers that address the toxic effects as a consequence of gel bleed in people with SBIs. Mimicking gel bleed in the nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans and exposure them to silicone breast implant-infused media is detrimental to C. Elegans, affects reproduction and mobility, and induces stress. Of course these studies are not directly compatible with the in vivo situation of humans but again alarming signals.

Awareness is increasing but still a lot of BII patients do not get the support/recognition they need when symptoms increase and BII/silicone toxicity occurs, so be aware that silicone is not inert.

After breast cancer, autologous reconstruction can be a good option, but also women who choose flat are still beautiful. Stay natural; you are beautiful just the way you are, and everyone is unique.

Dr. Henry Dijkman

Scientific researcher and Lecturer Medical Sciences,

Expert Nano-Technology and Silicone toxicity

HAN-University of Applied Sciences

Introduction

Why we wrote this book:

It's a lot easier to overcome some hurdles with a book, especially if you want to establish yourself as an expert on a particular subject.

Nowadays, the ideal of beauty on social networks is so strong that everyone wants to look like everyone else at all costs: flawless, smooth, glowing, just "perfect."

Nothing has become as difficult as standing out from the crowd.

Uniqueness and authenticity are being replaced in some places by unrealistic standards of beauty. Nowadays, a book is something like a filter between the media world and reality, a way out of the information overload, according to the motto that anyone who manages to fill an entire book with his or her knowledge is quickly perceived by others as an expert.

Of course, writing a book is a lot of work and doesn't happen overnight, but the topic of breast implants is so one-sidedly "wonderful" in the media and actually so "dangerous" that we would like to take the time to address it.

Breast implants are described by manufacturers and most plastic surgeons as highly innovative to extremely safe and comfortable.

On the one hand, breast implants are perfectly tailored to the needs of

beauty standards, but on the other hand, the nature of the implants

puts a constant strain on the immune system.

Anyone with breast implants is carrying a 'time bomb.'

We have experienced this firsthand, as have hundreds of thousands of women around the world.

So what exactly is behind the product "breast implant"? Beauty craze, business, ignorance, greed? Or is it a business with a deep desire for recognition and love? .....

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 My carefree life before the storm

1.1 Reasons for choosing breast implants (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 2 Up close and personal with silicone implants

2.1. Mondor Phlebitis.

2.2 Education of breast implants (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 3 Sick due to breast implants?

3.1 Breast Implant Illness - Breast Implant Disease (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 4 What's shrinking?

4.1. Silicone Bleeding - every implant bleeds out (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 5 Out of place in the "perfect" waiting room

5.1. Choice of doctor/surgical method Implant removal (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 6 I need an MRI - Happy Easter!

6.1 Cost coverage by health insurance (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 7 Only solution: explantation

7.1 Detoxification of the body (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 8 There is nothing we can do for you

8.1 Follow-up costs - The financial aspect (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 9 Life in stormy days

9.1 Illness affects the entire environment (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 10 Summary of my "catastrophe"

10.1 Media influence on the beauty craze (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 11 My salvation: a doctor in Hamburg

11.1 Importance of the choice of surgeon and of an explantation accompaniment (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 12 ICE 770 to Hamburg... The way back to my femininity

12.1 Every path is individual (B. Schäfers)

Chapter 13 My Christmas miracle

Symptom list

Links to the subject:

Links to the authors

Chapter 1

My carefree life before the storm

It was during my first visit to a gynecologist in Germany in 1997 that I learned that my mammary gland had an unusual structure.

When you're 21, you don't take things too seriously, especially when you've lived a healthy and sheltered life in the countryside of southern Italy, far from the media of any kind. I and my 3 siblings, all girls, had spent most of the day in nature after school. We were interested in herbs and their effects, as well as animal and insect species.... Sometimes we talked about the nice boys in the parallel class or listened to records.

We had long understood the secret of longevity; the youngest member of the family died at the age of 96, so I did not worry about what my gynecologist in Germany said.

Due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy and breastfeeding, the structure of my mammary glands was changing more and more.

My visits to the doctor and tests became more frequent. My breasts became firmer and firmer and had to be treated with hormone creams.

Shortly after my 33rd birthday, my gynecologist confirmed the complete hardening of my mammary gland, known as mastopathy, as well as the presence of several benign lumps. I had known my gynecologist for many years, and his face became serious when he said that I should expect to have my breasts removed one day.

I simply rejected the diagnosis, didn't worry about what my gynecologist had said, and continued with hormone supplements. After each screening, I became more and more frustrated and tried everything from herbal remedies to snake venom, but to no avail.

My breasts never softened again, and in 2015, fast-growing lumps were discovered.

It was the beginning of the end for my natural breasts.

When I woke up from the anesthesia in April 2015, I wanted to know if all the lumps had been removed and if my breasts still looked good.

A pressure bandage and drains took care of the freshly operated areas. My gynecologist visited me that evening, confirmed the complete removal of the lumps on both sides, and showed me over the bandage where the incisions had been made in the nipple area.

Only when I asked him if the operation had gone as planned did his voice change.

Removing the lumps was more difficult than I had thought; the gland had hardened so much that a scalpel was needed in many places.

"Are you suddenly at a loss for words?" my gynecologist said to me.

Now I was really worried and asked him one last question: "When will we know if the lumps have been removed 100% successfully?"

"If you do not get another lump after 3 years, then the chances are very high that there will be no more lumps."

The answer was very reassuring to me, and being the positive person that I am, I spent the remaining two days in the gynecology department with no worries.

On the day I was discharged, the removal of the drains worried me more than the doctor's letter. After a proper breakfast, I made myself presentable, finished packing my bag, and waited impatiently for the rounds.

I drove the 110 km home alone, in high spirits and in the sunshine. I just wanted to get home to my family.

When I arrived, the kids were waiting for me in the driveway and said,

"Hey Mom, you look great; did you just get back from holiday?"

"Yes," I said.

That carefree feeling lasted for exactly 3 years.

The wedding preparations were in full swing; the free ceremony was to take place in a magical place. The romantic ceremony for my second marriage would be unforgettable; this love would last forever.

For weeks after work I had been making delicate silk flowers and sky lanterns, and I had also planned the flower path to the altar down to the smallest detail.

In May 2017, my family arrived from Italy, and we were finally alltogether for the big day. It was a fairytale wedding.

The warm days and weeks after the wedding flew by, every cell in mybody screaming for happiness. We had our honeymoon and summerholidays behind us when, in the autumn, my mammary gland startedto hurt again.

Then, just before Christmas, what I hadn't expected happened. The lumps were back!

In the evening, while lying down, I felt a lump in my right breast.

I told myself it was probably just a watery cyst before my period. Two days later, I looked in the same place while lying down, and the cyst was still there.

After Christmas, at the beginning of 2018, a thorough examination was done: a 2.6 cm lump was confirmed in my right breast, as well as two small lumps less than 1 cm in my left breast.

My gynecologist told me to come back in the next 4 weeks.

"We need to keep an eye on the growth rate," he said.

Every day I palpated the area to feel the size of the lumps and noticed that they were getting bigger. In fact, the gynecologist confirmed a size of 3.8 cm within 4 weeks. I had an extremely fast-growing tumor.

An urgent biopsy was done. Another 6 weeks passed before I got an appointment. At the time of the biopsy, the lump had grown to almost 5 cm. The spot was shot 10 times in one session. On the 10th injection, I felt sick; my circulation collapsed, and I vomited several times.

It took 14 days for the results to confirm a fortunately benign, fast-growing type of tumor. My gynecologist said that given the situation, it was time to remove my breast.

"That's out of the question," was my answer, and I left the office quietly and inwardly.

At home, I said nothing about what my doctor had suggested. I looked for ways to slow down the rapid growth of the tumor.

I knew that the gynecology department at the Marienhospital in Bottrop had successfully treated benign breast tumors with laser therapy.

The treatment was only approved by my health insurance because it was the last option to save my breast.

When I arrived in Bottrop, I was greeted by a friendly team.

Before the treatment, I was thoroughly examined, and the lumps were measured again. It was now June, and the lump on the right side of my breast had grown to 6.7 cm.

At my request, the treatment was carried out under local anesthesia with 13 injections into my breast. The laser head was fixed to the core of the tumor, and the tumor was heated and burnt from the outside. During the treatment, I felt pain; the more intense the radiation on the tumor core, the worse it got. I cried and started shaking. The doctor's assistant said to me, "You can still choose general anesthesia."

I looked at her and asked; "How long does it take to irradiate the core of the tumor?"

"Fifteen minutes," she replied.

I decided to stay for the last 15 minutes; I just wanted to go home to my children.

When I came out of surgery, my husband was waiting for me in the next room. He looked at me and said to me, "Great, you look so fresh; didn't you have any treatment?"

I said, "Of course, I'm already done."

We both laughed with joy that I had survived everything so far and

waited for the doctor.

An hour later, the doctor called me in for a final exam and said that 80% of the tumor had been burnt off and that the healing process to the final result would now take 6 months.

We celebrated the success with a great dinner.

Over the next few months my breast was swollen, during which time I had no further checkups with the gynecologist. The swelling was still partly there when Christmas time came. We had already picked out the appropriate Christmas tree and festively decorated our house.

Two days after New Year's Eve, I noticed that my breast had taken on a strange shape.

I called my husband into the bathroom and showed him the spot on my right breast that seemed strange. My husband said to me, "It looks like your breast is getting horns!"

The difference between my right and left breast was getting bigger; you could see the tumor from the outside.

Immediately after the Christmas vacation, I made an urgent appointment with my gynecologist. The tumor, now 10.6 cm in size again, had already replaced more than half of my mammary gland. My breast skin was slightly bluish in the lower breast area. My gynecologist looked at me and said that now there would be no way around the mastectomy, that is, the removal of my breast, and pressed the applications for the health insurance as well as a referral to perform the mastectomy into my hand.

"Be strong," he said, "it's going to be okay!"

In May 2019, my mammary gland was removed bilaterally; the tumor on the right was 16.9 cm at that time and no longer measurable by ultrasound.

Reasons for choosing breast implants

(B. Schäfers)