Feels so good to change someone's mind!

Here is a letter I got today. :)

Hi Gretchen!

My name is Serena and I am 18 years old. I have visited your site and read your story and would like to thank you for sharing it with others. It is very important for women to be well informed and weigh the benefits with the risks when they take an important decision like having breast implants. I am sorry that you experienced such a terrible thing and I hope you will fully recover soon. I was thinking of having breast implants myself and knew there were risks but never imagined it could get so bad. After reading your story, I decided to give up on this idea and appreciate my breasts for what they are.

I have an athletic body due to the many sports I practice and enjoy, like tennis, swimming and horse riding. Although my body is very well proportioned, my breasts are very small and give me the feeling of inferiority when I see other girls my age with normal-sized breasts (not to mention big). I think that one reason they seem so small is because I have a light form of Pectus Excavatum (or hollowed chest) which, with its caved-in form, makes them look smaller than they really are. Your story made me realize what women do in their pursuit for good looks and gave me the courage to accept they way I look and not to have the implants.

I think you are a brave and powerful woman that had a horrible experience and learned from her mistake. I appreciate your wish to prevent other women from experiencing the same thing and I am glad to have read your story and find out about you.

Best wishes,
Serena.

Another natural bodybuilder - sick from saline implants

I got a letter today from another woman, sick from saline implants. Another bodybuilder who can relate. I am happy she wrote me and pray for her healing.

"Hi Gretchen,

First I want to thank you for getting your story out there for other women to see! I got saline implants 8 years ago and had I known then what I know now, I never would've gotten them. I've been sick for the past 7 years. Well, actually, I started feeling things immediately after my implant surgery but I found out that I was pregnant (got pregnant right before my surgery) and so I can't really say if what I was feeling that first year was from the implants or the pregnancy.

Prior to my implants I was very healthy and very active. I entered several natural bodybuilding contests and was in awe of the fitness competitors and wanted to get that same look! I also thought since so many competitors had implants that it must be safe! When I reasearched them, I was told the saline implants were completely safe...that the worst that could happen would be CC or rupture but that the saline would just absorbe into my body. So I was convinced and thought that by having implants it would improve my look on stage when competing.

One year after implant surgery I started getting various "mysterious" illnesses. From what used to be an active lifestyle, 8 years later I can now barely climb a flight of stairs or even dry my hair without exhaustion! I've been to so many doctors and specialists and have had so many tests. I've been told I have inflammation in my eyes and numerous neuroligial issue but all of my tests come back normal. A few weeks ago, a family member gave me a website to check out! That has led me to many wonderful sites of women experiencing the same things I am. Wow, what an eye opener! I am now in the process of consulting with a PS to have them removed.

I'm not really sure why I'm emailing you except that I admire you for speaking out. My hope is that once my implants are removed I will feel better again to be able to speak out as well -- the more of us that make our voices heard...then maybe someday the medical community will have to listen to us! I wish you much success. God Bless."