Navigating through life’s complex challenges often brings us to moments of profound release and renewal. For me, the process of having my breast implants removed after 21 years parallels another deeply personal and transformative experience—leaving a long-term relationship that was both painful and perilous.

The decision to undergo explant surgery was not just about physical health; it was deeply intertwined with emotional well-being. Just as those implants were part of my body for over two decades, my relationship with my former husband spanned nearly the same time. Both the implants and the relationship had become part of my identity, and deciding to remove them was daunting and filled with emotional upheaval.

When I discovered the depth of my then-husband’s addiction and the risks it posed to both my son and me, the heartbreak was palpable. The realization that I needed to leave to save myself and protect my soul was a watershed moment. It was perhaps the bravest decision I’ve ever made—akin to a physical and emotional explant from a life that was no longer healthy.

The separation was excruciating. During this period, I experienced a type of emotional outpouring that was both foreign and intense. My body reacted with cries and sounds that I had never heard before; it was as if my soul itself was weeping for the loss and the liberation simultaneously. This visceral reaction was not just about ending the marriage but was also about mourning the loss of what I had believed my life to be.

Letting go of my implants brought a similar sense of liberation. For years, they were a part of me, but they had also become a symbol of what I was carrying—unnecessary burdens, health risks, and a façade of wellbeing. Removing them was symbolic of shedding an old part of myself, an act just as freeing, if not as immediately painful, as leaving my husband.

Now, as I step into this new chapter without the physical and emotional weight I once bore, I feel a new sense of freedom. It’s a rebirth, an opportunity to redefine who I am and what my life is about. The journey has not been easy, and the path forward is still lined with the remnants of past pains. Yet, there is a profound strength gained through these acts of release.

To anyone facing similar crossroads, whether it’s leaving a harmful relationship, undergoing a significant medical procedure, or making any life-altering decision, know this: It’s okay to mourn. It’s okay to feel the depth of your pain. But also know that in this release, there is a promise of freedom, a chance to rediscover your essence and to live a life aligned with your deepest truths.

This dual journey of explant and emotional liberation teaches us that we are capable of enduring great pains, but also capable of achieving great healing. Here’s to embracing the pain, the freedom, and the new beginnings that follow.

Warmly with love and hope,

🦋