On Wednesday, July 24, breast implant manufacturer Allergan recalled one type of its implants after the FDA recommended the company do so for safety reasons.

The implants have been linked to a rare form of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL.

Some women with implants have also reported adverse reactions like inflammation, soreness, and pain. This collection of symptoms is often referred to as "breast implant illness."

The medical community doesn't recognize breast implant illness as a condition, but some doctors believe it is real.

Susan Barrow, a woman who experienced these symptoms, had her now-recalled implants removed by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jae Chun, one of the doctors who advocates for women who say they have breast implant illness.

Following the removal, Barrow said her symptoms went away. She had a photoshoot with her implants in celebration.

Warning: this post contains graphic images.

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On Wednesday, July 24, breast implant manufacturer Allergan recalled one type of its implants, its BIOCELL textured implants, after the FDA recommend the company do so for safety reasons.

The recall comes after a March Food and Drug Administration hearing, which was held to discuss the safety of breast implants after a report found a link between the devices and a rare form of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or ALCL. During the hearing, numerous women who had or currently have breast implants shared stories of other adverse side effects they experienced.

"Breast implant illness" is not a recognized disease in the medical community, but many women cite it when referring to the lasting symptoms they experience after having breast augmentation surgery. Although many plastic surgeons deny this illness exists, some doctors advocate for women and help them remove their implants.

One of those doctors is California-based plastic surgeon Dr. Jae Chun, who focuses on removing breast implants from women who have experienced health issues.

Susan Barrow, one of Dr. Chun's patients, told INSIDER her life has improved significantly since having her implants removed.

"I had a ton of breathing issues and asthma. I'd cough all night long and had numbness down my left arm, but since the implants have been taken out that's gone," Barrow said.

Read more: I watched a woman get a face-lift, and it wasn't very gory at all. Take a look.



To celebrate her newfound feelings of health and raise awareness about the risks of breast implants, Barrow had her son take photos of her holding the implants Dr. Chun removed from her body.