Mum's makeover turned toxic as breast implants rejected by her own body
A woman was left heartbroken to have her dream makeover breast implants removed less than two years later after her body rejected them.
Mum-of-two Jenna Sparrow splashed out on a trio of cosmetic procedures in November 2020 before her wedding.
The now 40-year-old from Braintree, Essex, paid for a Lipoabdominoplasty, breast lift, and implants. She was originally thrilled with the results.
But just 18 months later, the credit controller realised something was very wrong, after she became sick and her breasts were hugely inflamed.
In January 2022, Jenna noticed her right breast was badly swollen and a scan showed a huge seroma on top of the implant.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Jenna said: "The swelling made my chest absolutely huge, I had 650ml of fluid drained and this had to be tested for ALCL, a form of cancer from implants.
"My surgeon said he had never drained so much from one breast before."
Jenna before surgery (@jensmummymakeoverjourney/ CATERS NEWS)
Jenna now (@jensmummymakeoverjourney/ CATERS NEWS)Thankfully Jenna's results were negative and her surgeon first believed the fluid was caused by a hard impact or trauma to the breast.
However in September 2022, Jenna had painful swelling on her other breast.
Jenna said: "I had so much inflammation, even my arm and fingers were swollen."
Her surgeon confirmed it appeared her body was rejecting the implants and Jenna underwent emergency, private surgery just days later.
She had another 350ml of fluid drained from her breast and her implants removed.
Jenna said: "I was lucky to have very physical symptoms, rather than just feeling unwell like some sufferers. My breasts were swollen up to my chin.
"Going back under the knife really upset me. I was scared about having another surgery and recovery to go through and concerned about not being around for my daughter, Mia, who has additional needs.
"I was also worried how I would look and at first I didn't want them out. I was very upset but my health had to be my priority."
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report
These dishes show the fluid removed from one swollen breast in January 2023 (@jensmummymakeoverjourney/ CATERS NEWS)
Jenna the day after her emergency surgery to have her implants removed (@jensmummymakeoverjourney/ CATERS NEWS)Jenna added: "My surgeon waived his fee for the emergency explant, but I paid for the hospital costs. It was more expense but they had to be removed."
"I am lucky I was able to get them out, but it has been a very scary experience."
Jenna battled with her body confidence for decades before she decided to have surgery.
She hated her saggy tummy skin after having two children, her first when she was 21.
She said: "No amount of sit ups toned the skin and the NHS refused to help. How I looked was a real issue for me. It was affecting my mental health."
Ahead of her wedding to Chris in August 2021, Jenna decided to go for it.
She said: "I decided it was time to change how I looked and felt."
At first Jenna believed it was the 'best decision of her life' and while it took six weeks to recover from the five-hour surgery, Jenna was over the moon that her body looked 20 years younger.
Jenna said: "For the first time in nearly 20 years, I didn't hide away and I finally loved my body."
However, when her body rejected the implants, Jenna had never felt worse.
Now, Jenna is urging people to research implant rejection thoroughly.
She said: "I want to raise awareness of the number of people needing explant surgery. I'm not saying don't have surgery, I just want women to be more aware of potential issues."
"Had I of known how serious side effects could be, I wouldn't have had breast implants. I should have educated myself more."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
