The Truth About Breast Implants
Most of the women closest to me—women I love and admire—have breast implants. Many of them will likely read this post. So, let me be clear from the start: this isn’t about shaming anyone for their choices. I know women who genuinely love their implants, who feel more confident and empowered because of them, and who have never looked back.
This post isn’t anti-breast augmentation—it’s a call for pro-informed decision-making. It's about understanding the full picture, the potential risks, and the personal implications before making a choice that will impact your body and your life.
Still, I wish someone had spoken openly with me about the less visible side of breast augmentation. If I had found the kind of honest, well-rounded information I’m about to share, I think I would have taken a step back and considered the bigger picture before moving forward.
My Personal Experience
I got breast implants in my early twenties. At the time, it felt like a rite of passage. Growing up, nearly every woman I admired had them. It was so normalized in my world—something women just did to feel more confident or to reclaim their bodies. And so, I did it too. I told myself it was for me, my confidence, and my body image. And maybe part of that was true. But in hindsight, it ran much deeper.
At the time, I didn’t realize how foreign they would feel in my body. As someone who lives a very active lifestyle—doing yoga, strength training, working with my body—I noticed right away how much they interfered with my physical movement. Poses that once felt fluid became awkward. My chest felt tight and restricted. Certain exercises, especially those involving my pectoral muscles, became uncomfortable. I started to feel like my body wasn’t entirely mine anymore.
However, the physical discomfort was only the surface aspect.
In the years that followed, I went through a period of deep self-reflection and transformation. And I had to get radically honest with myself. The truth? I got breast implants because I didn’t feel at home in my body. I had internalized the belief that beauty and worth had a specific "look"—and I didn’t feel like I measured up to those expectations or the women around me. The implants became a way to fill a void I hadn’t yet realized I needed to face.
Eventually, I decided to have them removed about two years later. And while it wasn’t an easy choice, it was one of the most empowering decisions I’ve ever made. Taking that step felt like reclaiming my body and embarking on a journey of self-discovery and healing. It was a profound act of self-love and gratitude for my physical form—my one true home in this life.
That realization was heavy. It cracked something open in me. I felt deep grief over what I had done to my body—and the difficult truth that I had chosen this. Coming to terms with the consequences of my own decision was one of the hardest parts of the journey. But that grief also became a doorway. It led me into an even deeper process of healing—one that continued long after the implants were gone. It taught me the power of radical self-love and acceptance, and I hope my story can offer the same for you.
My experience opened my eyes to a side of breast implants that’s rarely talked about. In the next section, I’ll share what I wish someone had told me before surgery—so you can make the most informed decision for your body and your future.
Let’s Talk About the Risks
1. What Implants Are Made Of?
Breast implants are typically filled with either saline (sterile saltwater) or silicone gel. Both are encased in a silicone elastomer shell. While “silicone” might sound harmless, the reality is more complex. These implants are made from a cocktail of chemicals, and both saline and silicone implants can contain heavy metals such as platinum, tin, cadmium, arsenic, antimony, and mercury—used during the manufacturing process. Over time, especially with aging or rupture, these substances can leach into surrounding tissues and potentially enter the bloodstream, contributing to chronic inflammation, neurological symptoms, and even autoimmune dysregulation in susceptible individuals.
2. Microbial Risks
In addition to chemical exposure, there’s also a microbial risk, which is rarely discussed in consultation rooms.
Saline implants are more commonly associated with mold and fungal contamination. If the valve mechanism fails (which can happen over time or due to trauma), air and microorganisms can enter the implant. Some fungal colonies and mold have been discovered inside saline implants. This contamination can trigger systemic immune responses, and women may experience symptoms like chronic fatigue, brain fog, rashes, or recurring infections—without ever knowing the source.
However, silicone implants are not immune to this issue. While they’re sealed and less likely to allow microbial growth inside the implant, they can still contribute to immune system disturbances in another way. Silicone surfaces can harbor biofilms—thin, sticky layers of bacteria or fungi that form outside the implant. These biofilms are incredibly resilient and challenging for the body (or antibiotics) to eliminate. Over time, they can provoke chronic, low-grade infections or inflammatory responses that mimic other health conditions. If a silicone implant ruptures, the leaked gel can migrate into nearby tissue, creating further immune reactions and forming lumps or granulomas.
So, whether saline or silicone, implants are not biologically inert. They introduce foreign material into the body that may carry chemical, microbial, and immunological risks—all of which should be fully understood before making an informed decision.
3. Breast Implant Illness (BII)
While not yet fully recognized by mainstream medicine as a formal diagnosis, Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used by thousands of women who experience unexplained symptoms after augmentation. These symptoms may include:
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Joint pain
Mood disorders (anxiety, depression)
Hair loss
Hormonal imbalances
Autoimmune conditions
Emerging research suggests a connection between implants and systemic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and even certain autoimmune disorders. The FDA has also acknowledged a rare cancer called Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)—linked specifically to textured implants.
4. Implants Are Not Lifetime Devices
Breast implants typically need to be replaced or revised every 10–15 years, sometimes sooner. Risks include rupture, capsular contracture (when scar tissue hardens around the implant), and shifting or distortion over time.
5. Impact on Movement & Body Awareness
This was huge for me. The implants restricted my chest, affected my posture, and created a disconnect between how I moved and how I felt in my body. As someone who values movement and living an active life, I began feeling alienated from my physicality.
A Message for Women Considering Implants
If you're thinking about getting breast implants, I invite you to pause and go inward first. Ask yourself:
Why do I want this?
What do I hope it will change?
Am I doing this from love or a feeling of not being enough?
You are not wrong, shallow, or broken for considering breast augmentation. But it’s important to recognize that it is a serious medical procedure with potential long-term implications—physically, emotionally, and even energetically. And it’s not always as simple as just having them removed.
Fortunately, I didn’t have my implants long enough to cause further damage to my breast tissue. However, many women who’ve had implants for extended periods require extensive reconstructive surgery after removal due to thinning tissue, distortion, or other complications caused by the implants over time.
I’m sharing my story to empower you in your own decision-making journey, especially if you’re considering breast implants. Let this be the conversation I wish someone had had with me years ago.
You deserve to make the most informed choice possible—not just based on aesthetic goals but rooted in self-awareness, self-love, and a clear understanding of the long-term implications of this widely accepted cosmetic procedure.
If you’ve had implants and feel great—amazing. Truly. This isn't about one-size-fits-all outcomes. Everybody is different. Every story is valid.
But for those still on the fence, please explore all sides before making your decision. Cosmetic procedures can change your body—but healing your heart, worth, and self-acceptance always starts from within.
Exploring Natural Ways to Enhance Breast Fullness
If you’re seeking ways to feel more confident in your chest without surgery, know that natural, non-invasive methods can support fuller, firmer, and more vibrant breasts—while enhancing your overall health, body awareness, and hormone balance. These practices won’t replicate the dramatic change of augmentation, but they can bring real, meaningful shifts—inside and out.
Here are some options to explore:
Breast Massage: A Sacred Ritual for Circulation, Hormonal Balance, and Self-Love
Breast massage has been practiced for centuries across various cultures for beauty, vitality, and energetic alignment. In Taoist traditions, breast massage is a way to activate and circulate life force energy (Qi) and promote hormonal health. The breasts are seen as powerful energy centers connected to the heart, reproductive organs, and lymphatic system.
This practice isn't just cosmetic—it supports the following:
Healthy circulation
Lymphatic drainage
Hormonal harmony
Nervous system regulation
Increased breast sensitivity and awareness
Taoist Breast Massage Technique:
Begin by applying a natural oil to your hands and chest area. Oils like almond, coconut, or infused oils with fenugreek, fennel, or rose are especially beneficial. These oils nourish the skin and have traditionally been used in Taoist and Ayurvedic medicine to support breast tissue health and gentle fullness.
Rub your hands together to create warmth and set an intention for your practice—whether it’s self-love, healing, or simply deeper body awareness.
Place your palms gently over your breasts and take a few deep, grounding breaths into your heart space, allowing yourself to fully arrive in the moment.
Using light but deliberate pressure, move your hands in a circular motion—starting outward and upward, then inward toward the center of your chest. Traditionally, 36 clockwise rotations followed by 36 counterclockwise are performed, but you can adjust based on your comfort and time.
As you massage, focus on your breath, connection, and gratitude for your body. This is not just a physical technique—it’s a chance to reestablish a loving, conscious relationship with yourself.
Breast massage also improves posture and body confidence by increasing your connection to the chest area—an area many women disconnect from due to shame, trauma, or societal messaging. Practiced regularly, it can awaken a deeper sense of embodiment and appreciation for your physical form.
Chest-Strengthening Exercises
Toning the pectoralis muscles underneath the breast tissue can enhance the shape and lift of the breasts. Exercises such as modified push-ups, dumbbell chest presses, chest flyes, and yoga poses like Upward Dog, Cobra, and Camel help improve posture and definition, which in turn improves how the breasts look and feel.
Herbal Support
Some herbs used in traditional medicine systems contain phytoestrogens—plant compounds that mimic the body’s natural estrogen and may subtly enhance breast fullness. These include:
Fenugreek
Fennel
Wild yam
Red clover
Pueraria Mirifica (used in Thai medicine for breast and skin rejuvenation)
While these can be taken as teas, tinctures, or used topically in infused oils, it’s best to consult a qualified practitioner before starting herbal protocols, especially if you have hormone-sensitive health conditions.
Nutrition for Hormonal Balance and Tissue Health
Supporting breast health begins from the inside out. Focus on foods that nourish your hormones and support healthy skin and connective tissue:
Healthy fats (avocado, flaxseeds, nuts, olive oil)
Protein-rich foods to support tissue tone and repair
Micronutrients like zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and B-complex
Reduce processed food, sugar, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, and synthetic personal care products
Fascia Release and Posture Work
Tight fascia in the chest, shoulders, and upper back can restrict blood flow and create a slouched posture, which flattens or sags the chest. A foam roller, massage balls, or targeted stretches can help release these restrictions. Yoga, posture correction, and myofascial release work can restore natural lift and openness to the chest area.
Mind-Body Connection
True enhancement isn’t just physical—it’s emotional and energetic. Body image is deeply rooted in how we feel about ourselves. Somatic therapy, mirror work, affirmations, and body gratitude practices can help shift internal narratives that tell us we aren’t enough. Confidence and radiance often follow naturally as you cultivate more love and presence in your body.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to have surgery to feel beautiful. There are ways to honor and enhance your body while nurturing your deeper relationship with yourself. These practices are gentle, accessible, and powerful tools for healing, embodiment, and self-empowerment, regardless of size, shape, or past choices.
If this message resonates with you, I invite you to share it with someone who may need this information. The more open, loving conversations we have about our bodies, the more empowered we all become.
With love,
Rebecca Crawforth, NP
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