Empowered Explant

Empowered Explant

Are you preparing to explant? An explant warrior in healing? Or still figuring out if you want to remove your breast implants? No matter where you are on your journey, you’re in the right place. Each week, we’ll bring you expert interviews, conversations with women about their experiences, and explant tips from your host Darnah Mercieca – with topics covering everything from capsules to confidence! Darnah is a board-certified health and wellness coach specializing in integrative nutrition and mindset. A sufferer of breast implant illness, she had explant surgery in November 2021. Now healed, with BII symptoms gone, she is dedicating her experience and expertise to supporting women on their explant journeys. You can help us raise awareness by hitting subscribe and leaving a review! Interviews and sponsorships email: podcast@empoweredexplant.com.

Episodes

December 4, 2024 29 mins

Feeling uncertain and self-conscious after explant surgery? You're not alone.  Together, we'll unravel five transformative steps you can take action on immediately, all designed to help you embrace your body's changes with confidence and optimism.

As we navigate this path, we’ll explore how self-compassion and patience are not just ideals but daily practices that can significantly enhance your healing journ...

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Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/yZv3psDV3Fg

Ready to transform your pre-surgery experience? Discover my five-step protocol to prepare for breast implant removal, ensuring not just a physical transition but a mental and emotional readiness as well. We’ll explore the essential practices of nutrition, exercise, toxin reduction, and practical planning, all encapsulated within our comprehensive 59-page guide designed to...

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Transformative journeys often start with a single, courageous decision. Three years ago, I made the choice to remove my breast implants—a decision that profoundly altered my health, self-worth, and understanding of beauty. Join me as I share personal reflections on stepping away from superficial beauty habits like Botox and acrylic nails, and embracing a more natural lifestyle. This episode is not just a celebration of living impla...

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Who needs a shrink when you could have a boob job? Join me in this conversation as I decompress after an unexpected encounter with a plastic surgeon at a weekend BBQ that unfolded into a spirited discussion about breast implants, explant surgery, and breast implant illness (BII). This episode explores the psychological motivations behind seeking plastic surgery and highlights the importance of awareness and transparency in surgical...

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Erica Newbert Campbell, a breast cancer survivor and author of "The Mastectomy I Always Wanted," joins us to share her powerful personal journey. Through her candid storytelling, Erica illuminates the difficult decisions she faced following her diagnosis, including the choice of undergoing breast reconstruction with implants. Her narrative does more than recount her journey; it opens a dialogue about the importance of nor...

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The question that brought tears to my eyes in my live Q&A. “Do you miss your breast implants?” It’s the first time I’ve talked about this in 3 years since my explant surgery. Here’s my honest answer.

Links and resources:

  1. Catch the live Q&A replay here: https://youtube.com/live/QmNEvvFapTc 

  2. Listen to episode 57: The Best Way to Ease Anxiety & Mentally Prepare for Explant Surgery—In 10 Simple Steps!
    https:/...
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In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what to eat and avoid before your explant surgery to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery. Whether you’re prepping months in advance or just a few weeks out, these anti-inflammatory diet tips will help your body heal better and faster. I’ll walk you through my personal recommendations for foods to embrace and the ones to ditch. Ready to give your body the best chance for success? Let’...

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What if you could alleviate the anxiety surrounding your explant surgery and face the procedure with more calm and confidence? This journey is as much an emotional one as it is physical. 

Join me as I share essential strategies to mentally prepare for explant surgery. This episode equips you with powerful yet simple tools to ease your nervous system, boost your confidence, and harness the mind-body connection for a smoother recovery...

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What if gentle, strategic movement could significantly enhance your recovery post-explant surgery? That's exactly what we explore in this episode of Empowered Explant. Join me as I share my journey from severe fatigue and muscle atrophy to newfound strength, and discover how pre-surgery exercise centered on the core, back, legs, and glutes can make all the difference. 

We highlight the importance of incorporating gentle cardio,...

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Could breast implants be the hidden culprit behind your premature aging? In this eye-opening episode, we confront the reality that implants might be causing chronic inflammation leading to symptoms often misattributed to natural aging, and encourage women to scrutinize their symptoms rather than resign themselves to the inevitability of getting older.

We'll also dive deep into the holistic healing journey after explan...

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Are you ready for this rollercoaster ride? Here are 11 things I think you should know before you go in for your explant surgery. Whether you are just considering explanting, or already have your surgery booked, this is for you breastie! I hope it helps xx

Links and resources:

Free 33-Step Explant Planning Checklist:
checklist.empoweredexplant.com

Episode 43: When Should I Start Detoxing:
https://...

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Curious about the mysterious term "fluffing" after breast explant surgery? Listen in to gain a medically-informed understanding of this often misunderstood concept. Hear firsthand insights from Dr. Dev, an expert explant surgeon, who clarifies this phenomenon and helps set realistic expectations for your explant journey.

I also share essential recovery strategies to optimize your breast healing and “fluffing” process. By t...

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Can prioritizing protein support your explant surgery recovery? Uncover this and more as I guide you through the essential role of protein in surgery preparation and healing in this episode of Empowered Explant. To help you feel confident on your healing journey, I explain the science behind protein's critical contributions to wound healing, immune support, and hormone regulation. You'll learn practical tips to consume a ...

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Today we're diving deep into the transformative power of self-love and cultivating confidence after explant surgery (or any stage of life!)

In this episode:

  • Personal Update: I share my joy about a beautiful new relationship that blossomed post-explant surgery, symbolizing my journey into authentic self-confidence.

  • Connection Between Self-Image and Relationships: Reflecting on past challenges and how they shaped my e...
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Welcome to a milestone episode of the Empowered Explant podcast—Episode 50! In honor of Women’s Health Awareness Month, we're diving deep into an issue close to our hearts (pun intended) and our health: the risks and complications associated with breast implants.

  • FDA Insights: Sharing the FDA’s recommended boxed warning and key statistics from the patient decision checklist—information I wish I knew before my surg...
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Welcome breastie! Empowered Explant is back for a juicy season 3 of talking all things breast implant illness, explant surgery, healing, body image, detox, women’s health, confidence, and transformation!

No matter where you are on your explant journey, you’re in the right place.

Hit subscribe so you don’t miss any episodes to come!

Links and resources:

  1. Free Explant Planning Checklist
    checklist.em...
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A little holiday message and update! Wishing you all the most beautiful Christmas and holiday season, breastie! The podcast will be back with all new episodes in 2024! Until then, join the Empowered Explant facebook group and reach out to me on the links below:

Links and resources:

  1. Empowered Explant Website Resources
    www.empoweredexplant.com/resources

  2. DM me on Instagram: @darnahmercieca

  3. For coachin...
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This powerful practice of QiGong can help you heal physically and emotionally, detoxify your body, and support your health both before and after your explant surgery.  Chris and Parisa Shelton are QiGong and Chinese Medicine practitioners, co-founders of the Morning Crane Healing Arts Center, qigongteachertraining.com, and The Qi Club. Collectively they have 50 years of experience helping thousands of people around the world reclai...

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Gratitude is my favorite upper! It raises your entire frequency and has the power to change so much in your life. 

Really, studies show it can improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing.

A daily gratitude practice is a must on your explant journey!

Start by writing 3 things you are grateful for each day, either in the morning or at night, whichever works best for you. Be consistent. Watch the m...

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There are so many questions…

How long will recovery take?
What are my limitations?
Will I need someone to look after me?
When can I go back to work?
When can I exercise again?
How much pain will I feel?
How long do the drains stay in?

In this episode, I cover the top 10 things you can almost certainly expect and plan for during your explant surgery recovery.

Links and resourc...

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