My Explant Journey - Week 1
I’m officially four days post-explant surgery. I wanted to take some time to share why I decided to explant, plus all the preparations I did before surgery and the things that have helped me during this first week of healing. Whether you're thinking about your own explant or just curious about the process, here’s everything that’s been working for me so far!
Right before surgery
Why I Chose to Explant
For those of you who don’t know, I started noticing symptoms of BII (Breast Implant Illness) a few years ago. There are so many symptoms linked to BII, and honestly, it was overwhelming to pinpoint what was going on at first. Some of mine are listed in this image below:
If you’re curious or unsure, I highly recommend this book:
It dives deep into BII, its symptoms, and the explant process if you're exploring this route. It truly helped me figure out what was happening in my body and empowered me to make the decision to explant.
Who I Went To And What It Co$t:
After consulting with an explant “expert,” I decided to stay local for my surgery and recovery. Initially, I had a consultation with Dr. Whitfield in Austin, TX, and even scheduled my surgery with him. His fee was $25,000. At the time, I chose him based on his reputation as one of the “best” and the fact that others I knew had gone to him. However, it didn’t feel like the right fit for me.
After posting about my consultation, booking the surgery, and sharing the cost, I received an overwhelming number of messages. Many people pointed out that the price seemed too high and suggested other excellent surgeons. While cost wasn’t a deciding factor for me—it was something I was willing to invest in once I committed to the procedure—I started to think about other factors. Traveling and staying out of town for at least a week felt less than ideal. I know myself, and I knew I’d prefer to recover in the comfort of my own home.
Beyond that, I didn’t feel entirely at ease. While Dr. Whitfield is undoubtedly highly skilled and offers excellent pre- and post-care services, I felt there was a missing connection. Sometimes, as a practitioner gains popularity, the personal touch with patients can diminish. For me, that connection is so important.
Ultimately, I decided to follow a referral from my chiropractor. I went in with no expectations, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision. My second experience was the complete opposite of the first. My new doctor made me feel cared for, answered all my questions, and left me feeling fully prepared. The cost was also significantly less—$13,800 for both an explant and a lift—and I was able to recover at home.
This experience taught me that paying more doesn’t necessarily guarantee better results. There are many exceptional surgeons out there, and I’ve found that the ones who are more under the radar and humble often provide the level of care and connection I personally value most.
My surgeon’s info: Dr. Nicole Castellese
Prepping for Surgery – Supplements and Peptides
I knew going into surgery that setting my body up for ultimate healing was going to be key. Here are the supplements and peptides I started using to prep myself (and yes, they’ve been a game changer).
Peptides I Used 2 Weeks Before Surgery
Injectables: *Injectable peptides you will need to get through a doctor or specialist.
BPC-157: Accelerates healing, supports the immune system, & combats inflammation.
NAD+: Supports detoxification, cellular energy and repair.
CJC1295/Ipamorelin: Increases natural production of growth hormone, which aids recovery.
Oral Peptides:
KPV + PEA (code: SAVETEN): Potent anti-inflammatory and helps manage pain.
GHK-Cu: Supports healing, reduces inflammation, and improves skin repair.
Supplements and Protocols 2 Weeks Before Surgery:
Liposomal Vitamin C (1 tsp daily): Supercharges the immune system.
Akkermansia (1 cap daily): Preps the gut for surgery stress.
Castor Oil Packs (every night): Helps detox the liver and prepares your body for anesthesia.
BPC-157 & KPV + PEA (code: SAVETEN): For gut health, managing inflammation, and overall healing. (BPC as an injection; KPV orally).
GHK Cu (2 pumps daily): Incredible for healing and overall health.
NAD (1 injection daily): Cellular detox and improves recovery and cellular repair.
Vitamin D3K2 (3 pumps daily): Supports the immune system.
Magnesium Bisglysinate (1 scoop nightly): Helps with relaxation and sleep.
A Few Days Before Surgery (including everything above):
Mg-Lax (1 cap nightly): Gentle stool softener to avoid any post-surgery constipation.
Sea Buckthorn (1 cap daily): Supports the gut and digestive system for healthy bowel movements.
*All supplements are available in my Fullscript store for 15% off. Click the link below to start an account and you will find all of the supplements under the “Pre/Post Surgery” catalog.
Post-Surgery – Week 1
Four days in, I’ve been staying consistent with the protocols above, and here’s what I’ve added to help me heal even faster:
Immune Charge+ (1 shot daily): Gives my immune system an extra boost.
Thymosin Alpha 1 (1 shot twice a week): Boosts immunity, fights inflammation.
CJC1295/Ipamorelin: Keeping that growth hormone support rolling.
Topical Glutaryl (4 sprays AM & PM): Supports liver detox from anesthesia.
Red Light Therapy (AM & PM, 10–20 mins): Gentle support for cellular repair.
PEMF (AM & PM, 20 mins): Helps reduce inflammation and speed up recovery and calm nervous system.
Hyperbaric Chamber: Encourages natural production of stem cells, which aids recovery.
Sleep + Rest: Lots of both. Seriously, letting my body do its thing.
My Diet After Surgery
Keeping my gut balanced has been a huge priority, so I prepped everything ahead of time to make life easier in this first week.
What I’ve been eating:
Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Chicken Noodle Soup (recipe). This was my main go-to for the first few days—super easy on the gut and super nourishing.
Fruits + Protein: Apples or light fruits alongside soft proteins like eggs.
Bone Broth Protein Drink: This protein powder (15% off with my link) has been great for adding in easy nutrients and a sweet warm treat.
Electrolyte Gummies + Electrolytes: These are a lifesaver for staying hydrated! (15% off with my link)
By Day 3, I was ready for something different, so I had a steak (loaded with natural nutrients and vitamins).
Pain Management
Surprisingly, I’ve needed very little pain management. I skipped the prescribed pain meds and just used Tylenol on day one. Beyond that, I haven’t needed anything. The key for me has been rest and staying on top of my supplements.
My implants, capsules and skin from the lift.
My Must-Have Comfort Items
Here are the things that made all the difference for my comfort this week. If you’re planning an explant, definitely consider these!
The travel neck pillow was great to keep my head propped up and neck supported while sleeping on my back.
Pregnancy Pillow: This was a GAME CHANGER for sleeping comfortably.
Comfy Pajamas: Soft and cozy.
Entertainment Recommendations: I binged old “Real Housewives” episodes and a few documentaries to keep entertained while resting.
Emotional Recovery
One thing I want to say—don’t be afraid to cry. Leading up to surgery, I was terrified. I had so many emotions pent up, and it helped to just release it all. Sometimes you need the good cry; it’s better than holding it in.
Now, here I am on Day 4, slowly detoxing but feeling so much better than I expected. My body is starting to heal, and I’m so thankful for all the prep I did beforehand.
What’s Next?
Once I’m ready to start treating my scars, I’ll share my full scar and wound healing protocol. Spoiler alert—peptides are a huge part of the plan!
To anyone considering an explant, I hope this gives you some guidance and encouragement. Healing takes time, but it’s so worth it.
If you have any questions or want more details, feel free to reach out!
xo,
Jamie ❤️