My Implant Scare: Why I Had to Remove Them and What You Should Know

I stepped into 2025 differently than any other year. Normally, we start a new year with big goals, fresh plans, and dreams we’re ready to chase. But for me? This year started with a heavy decision and the weight of another possible cancer diagnosis.

I made the choice to remove my textured implants because of the risk of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Whew, this journey has been a rollercoaster—so many emotions, so many lessons. And I want to share my story with you.

If you’ve ever faced a health scare or are wondering about your own implants, I hope this reminds you to stay on top of your health and trust your body when something feels off.

What Is BIA-ALCL?

BIA-ALCL is a rare type of cancer linked to textured breast implants. It’s not breast cancer—it’s a lymphoma that forms in the scar tissue and fluid around the implant. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, or a lump in the breast or armpit.

Most cases develop 8 to 10 years after getting implants. And guess what? I was in year 8 when I started feeling something was off.

While rare—affecting about 1 in 3,800 to 1 in 30,000 women* with implants—it’s still important to stay informed. The good news? When detected early, BIA-ALCL can be treated by removing the implant and surrounding tissue. But if it spreads, it can become more serious.

Also, BIA-ALCL is NOT breast cancer and NOT the same as Breast Implant Illness (BII), which has a whole different set of symptoms.

My Discovery and Decision

It all started when I felt a pain that just wouldn’t go away. At first, I chalked it up to pushing too hard at the gym. (Because let’s be real—I do that a lot.) But when the pain started messing with my sleep and the area became swollen, red, and hot to the touch, I knew something wasn’t right. 

I went to my breast surgeon, and that’s when I got hit with the news: My textured implants had been voluntarily recalled—TWO years after I got them.

Now, a voluntary recall means the company pulls the product from the market due to safety concerns, but no one is forced to remove it—not by the government, not by doctors. So if patients weren’t having issues, they could choose to keep them in.

Y’all, I was in shock. Nobody told me—not my surgeon, not the manufacturer. Apparently, a letter was sent, but I had moved by then and never got it. Can you imagine? I had implants in my body for 8 years, and I had no idea they were recalled. 

That hit hard.

And it wasn’t just my history with breast cancer that made this news hit differently. My daughter was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s T-cell lymphoma in 2021—we fought a long, brutal 2.5-year battle. And on top of that, I carry a gene linked to cancer, meaning my risk was already higher.

I struggled quietly, afraid that the cancer had returned. What if it had spread? Should I even get implants again? The pain became unbearable—I couldn’t work out, and even lifting 10 pounds would trigger discomfort. I was scared; the pain, the redness, and the swelling were not normal to me, but my doctors reassured me they didn’t think I had cancer and didn’t seem too concerned. But it wasn’t until I went down a TikTok rabbit hole and did some research that I realized my symptoms were actually pretty mild compared to others. That gave me some relief, but honestly, I didn’t have much time to process it—I just knew these implants had to go.

So, on January 10th, I had my implants removed and replaced. And by God’s grace, my cytology report came back NEGATIVE for BIA-ALCL.

That news was a relief. But it was also a wake-up call: If I had waited any longer, who knows what that report would have said?

Tips to Protect Your Health

1) Know Your Implants

Sis, do you even know what type of implants you have? I didn’t! Find out your implant type, manufacturer, and warranty info. After my recent surgery, I registered my new implants online—I had no idea that was even a thing before. (FYI: You’ll need your implant ID card, which they give you after surgery.)

2) Do Regular Self-Breast Exams

Your body will tell you when something is off—you just have to listen. Check for changes in your breast tissue, implants, or any unusual swelling. You know yourself better than anyone.

3) Call Your Doctor When in Doubt

How many times have we said, “Oh, it’s probably nothing”? Girl, STOP THAT. If pain or discomfort lingers, make the appointment. The worst-case scenario? You wasted an hour of your day. The best-case? You catch something early and protect your health.

Moving Forward

I’m healing, adjusting to my new implants, and feeling grateful for a second chance to take control of my health. But let me keep it real with you:

This process was scary as hell.

But it also showed me the power of advocating for myself. It taught me to ask questions, push for answers, and never take my health lightly.

If you have textured implants—or are considering implants—here’s my advice:

•  Know all the details about them.

• Listen to your body—if something feels off, don’t ignore it.

• Don’t be afraid to get checked out—early action can make ALL the difference.

We have to look out for each other and share what we know—because knowledge saves lives. Shoutout to TikTok for calming me down when my anxiety was through the roof. At the end of the day, reducing your risk and taking control of your health is how you declare: Cancer, I Won!

Let’s Talk

If you’ve been through something similar or have questions about implants or BIA-ALCL, let’s talk about it. Send me a message —whatever you need, I got you.

*American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). BIA-ALCL Physician Resources. Retrieved from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/health-policy/bia-alcl-physician-resources.