TV host and wellness expert Andi Lew never imagined that a personal choice to get breast implants would turn into a life-altering health crisis. For Lew, the procedure, initially intended to restore confidence following a divorce and childhood trauma, instead led to years of unexplained symptoms, emotional strain, and a prolonged medical journey.
Lew, now 52 and based in Los Angeles, first underwent breast augmentation in her early forties. At the time, it was a deeply personal decision aimed at reclaiming her sense of self. However, a few years after the surgery, she began experiencing a range of troubling symptoms.
Recognizing Breast Implant Illness
“Breast implant illness has a laundry list of about 100 symptoms,” Lew told WHO. Her own experience included rapid hair loss, dry eyes, inability to sweat, sudden food intolerances, loss of libido, digestive issues, heart palpitations, inflammation, and severe pain in her left breast due to an undetected silicone implant rupture.
“I was dying to be well,” she recalls. “I had anxiety, depression, I even had thoughts of suicide at the time.”
The Struggle to Get Answers
Lew faced repeated setbacks with medical professionals who initially failed to detect the rupture. “All of these tests and all of these surgeons looking at the imaging, and yet they didn’t find the rupture,” she explained. Despite assurances that everything was fine, Lew trusted her instincts and continued seeking answers.
Eventually, a surgeon identified the rupture and performed a proper explant surgery, removing both the implant and surrounding scar tissue. The surgeon also checked for rare implant-associated cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma or anaplastic large cell lymphoma, but fortunately, none were present.
Lew emphasizes that thorough explant surgery is crucial. “If they go to the public hospital system… they just take the bags out,” she said.
Emotional and Physical Recovery
Even after her implants were removed, Lew acknowledges that the recovery was challenging. “You really are never the same,” she admits. She also faced emotional hurdles, including guilt and shame over her initial decision. “I really had to forgive myself,” she says, highlighting the importance of self-compassion during the healing process.
Advocacy and Education
Now, Lew is dedicated to educating women about the risks associated with breast implants and supporting those navigating similar health struggles. She advises that in some cases, individuals can access their superannuation to cover life-saving explant surgery if funds are limited.
Lew has also shared her story on talk shows, events, and even at the US president’s residence in Florida, advocating for awareness and proper medical care for breast implant illness.
“My mission is to help women reclaim their health, trust their intuition, and embrace self-acceptance,” Lew said. “I want people to learn to love themselves exactly the way they are.”
