42 Comments
User's avatar
Alisa Walterhoefer's avatar

I removed my implants in 2016 because of scar tissue. I wish I had known about Dr. Kahn’s method. I am still suffering with fascia restrictions all through my left side. It sounds like he has helped cases like mine, those who have had implants removed without removing everything. It’s awful having this. I’m in physical therapy all the time. Thank you for this information!!!

Frontera Lupita's avatar

I have a niece who had breast implant surgery when she was in her early 20’s. I never understood why, she chose to get the implants. She’s a tall, thin, and beautiful young women, who at the time had a great BF, who became her fiancée, who she’s been married to for over 17 years. She is now 37. I don’t believe the plastic surgeon (in San Diego, CA) who did the surgery told her that she would need to replace them after 10 years. (If that’s the case then she’s way overdue!) I’m not sure if they are causing her any health issues. She’s a serious user of marijuana, so maybe that is mitigating any pain or problems she is having (but seriously contributes to one of the BII symptoms…brain fog)!

I have been reading about BII for a number of years now. Am even in a FB group about BII, so I could learn more about BII.

I have also read a lot about it and the various plastic surgeons around the country who specialize in BI removal surgery, because you can’t just go to any PS to remove them.. Your link to Dr. Kahn in Michigan, as the ‘go to guy’ for breast implant removal, is the second d time I have run across his name. I feel when the time comes that I may be the ‘financier’ of the surgery for my niece. I’m going to print out some of the symptoms and send them to her. Thanks for all that good info.

Susan Blake's avatar

Dear Robert, thank you for this.

I took over the treatment of a lady in the early 1990’s when she was well on the way to recovery following removal of silicon breast implants. She’d gone through the whole “it’s in your head” situation (How many times did I hear that during my career?) as her body seized up and she experienced debilitating pain. She certainly had many of the signs and symptoms on Dr Khan’s list. What added insult to injury was the fact the surgery was done “free” through our health care system in Vancouver but she had to go to Quebec and pay to have them removed. One of the products she used, struggled to afford but felt helped her detox was Essiac. I looked product up at the time and found it had an interesting history. She certainly believed in it. An interesting side note, during the time I treated her, her irises changed colour quite noticeably, back towards what she said was her normal colour. I look forwards to seeing the videos later as I don’t have the bandwidth where I am.

Thank you for all the work you are doing, it’s much appreciated.

Butterfly2510's avatar

I have read about Essiac tea just once. I’d love to know where to source it.

Susan Blake's avatar

I looked it up on the Internet: Essiac canada-intl.com, Essiacproducts.com, and Essiac.ca.

I checked the Vancouver Public Library to see if they have a copy of the book that I read years ago. Not sure if this is the one: "The Secrets of Rene Caisse's Herbal Pharmacy (2001) Sheila Snow. This may be of interest to you.

Butterfly2510's avatar

Thank you so much Susan! I will check it out. Do you ever use it?

erin's avatar

Doc, I know you are often on the hunt for helpful self-care tips, treatments and obscure information. Please check out watercures.org. They are dedicated to helping people rehydrate with salt and water, and there is a great story behind it. I am not sure how active their site is... but it would be great if you gave publicity to the Pennsylvania man who dedicated his later years and lots of money to spreading the message (he died a few years ago), and perhaps interview those behind the site. A very interesting story, and I have found it very helpful in my own efforts to rehydrate. They claim that the water cure is very helpful in a lot of chronic diseases, and would no doubt lead you to fascinating patient stories as well.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

thank you and I'll have a look

Kelly's avatar

Dr. Yoho, I believe the best healers in the world are the wounded ones and those who have learned through their personal experiences and share their learning, despite the discomfort. You have those characteristics. I'll bet you'll have more influence upon others since retiring than you did during active practice. What you SHARE is so valuable. Thank you! 🙏

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

Thanks for your encouragement ... I'm hopeful that I'm influencing a few. But even in my personal circles a lot of people DFL and DFR ha

Michelle's avatar

I can’t believe anyone would get breast implants knowing the manufacturer recommends their removal/replacement after 10 years... I imagine most people gloss over that detail (if informed of it at all), thinking only of the here and now...

God bless Dr. Kahn for doing this arduous and life-saving work, and God bless you Dr. Yoho for being open-minded and able to admit and apologize for past mistakes. Thank you for sharing these important medical issues with us.

Frontera Lupita's avatar

Honestly I don’t think these plastic surgeons who are doing these BI surgeries are telling their patients about the 10 year ‘life span’ of the implants. My now 37 year old niece got implants when she was barely 20 years old. I don’t think she was told this by the doctor. 😏🤔

ASK's avatar

Well, doctors don’t always disclose the problems associated with them. And some of the people getting implants are having single sided (or double sided) mastectomies and want to keep some balance and normalcy.

DrTamara's avatar

Excellent and meticulous post . I think I shall call you Dr. Polymath from now on . Thank you for your efforts above .

Sayer Ji published a Vaccine Research Compendium in which he has one commentary on the connection between CFS and implants . From now on , I’ll ask .

Being a Nancy's avatar

I'm so glad you posted this. I have been wanting to ask you about implants. I got them for my 50th birthday. Seven years and I'm doing ok I think but I look forward to removing them too.

I did spend 4 years total breastfeeding the kids and I have less body fat than most women because I love green food so it won't look good after for sure.

I don't look forward to my boobs looking like a baby sock with a marble in it again though.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

saline is safer

most people do well but BII is a terrific health problem for some

ML's avatar

In Oregon at Leonard Plastic Surgery we’ve had over 1200 BII patients treated. We do not think there is a difference between the symptoms and whether they are saline or silicone gel. True the old gel implants can rupture, but the BII symptoms don’t appear to be different between the types. Hope we can study it someday.

Being a Nancy's avatar

My surgeon, Dr. Stevens PhD in anatomy? , still has office in Los Angeles and Visalia as far as I know, right off didn't try to sell me silicone at all. He had his own little surgery center in Visalia.

Crixcyon's avatar

You would think that people wanting to have this type of nonsensical surgery would do great amounts of research beforehand and weigh the risks verses the benefits (there literally are none). Their vanity blinds them. What a freaking racket as is all of the modern stone age medical system.

ABIGAIL REPORTS's avatar

Many of us have screws, plates, knee, and shoulder replacements too, how do they affect people? Hub has 1 shoulder ball for OA control. Both partial knees. Screws were used to reattach the torn ligament in my thumb, the trigger lock was released at the same time. It is basically not fine motor skill usable and the pain continues. Rehab took years not the 13 weeks allowed.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

Yes all metals carry consequential risk even titanium. See Scott Schroeder episode

ABIGAIL REPORTS's avatar

A cousin had a double Mastectomy in her 30s, the cancer gene passes through to daughters from the male line, and the 2 aunts who married brothers carry it. A friend tests positive with every mammogram. Doctors do not tell patients they leak or need changing every 10 years.

JW Writes's avatar

I had BII and it would have killed me. My husband thought I was dying even before we knew why. I went to Mexico for explant surgery, to an excellent US and Mx Board Certified surgeon, and within hours of waking looked drastically different. The next day, at 4pm, I realized I had been walking barefoot (on hard tiles) all day without a thought, whereas I hadn’t been able to walk 2 steps on carpet for over 3 years without terrible pain. It was a miracle for me.

My mom had breast cancer and reconstructive surgery in her 30s and is 81 now. She recently had her implants replaced (I’ve already told her about BII but she can’t face it) and one is already encapsulated again. It’s infuriating that this is allowed to happen to so many women.

Frontera Lupita's avatar

Where did you go in Mexico for your explant surgery? Thanks!

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

thanks for your story

the plastics seem to be aware of it but continue

Frederick R Smith's avatar

Great essay as usual and thanks for the reminder to back up my substack! And thanks for the link to my page.

Becka Hardman's avatar

It is very admirable that you can say that you were wrong. I do wish more of the healthcare professionals would do the same. Thank you for all your hard work, excellent post as always.

erin's avatar

Doc, that was hideous reading. And how awful for you to discover this after a lifetime of toeing the party line! Maybe get a punching bag? Don't get PTSD out of all these discoveries...

Hug.

Robert Yoho, MD's avatar

I appreciate your support

Rosalind McGill's avatar

Thank you for your honesty and ability to change your mind.

Rosalind McGill's avatar

I know!

Annette's avatar

It’s the gift of the power to know. Need not be painful.