Former UFC fighter Cat Zingano has been open about the struggles she’s faced throughout her MMA career, and in a post earlier today, she shared her struggle with Breast Implant Illness (BII).
Zingano, like many other women both inside and outside the martial arts industry, decided to get breast implants years ago. The decision was made following the birth of her son, and although Zingano says she “loved her curves” and didn’t regret getting the implants in the first place, the addition to her body began to cause adverse symptoms, and she recently made the decision to have them removed.
BII is still not entirely understood by the medical community, and an increasing number of studies are being performed to try to understand the effects that implants of any kind can have on a person’s body. But more and more people are reporting negative effects that seem to be directly caused by implants, and Zingano used her platform to share her experience.
“This is my first photo shoot since I had my big surgery. I sensed and researched #BII a couple years ago but I didn’t believe in the severity and didn’t want to risk the change in vanity until I was watching it start to really kick my ass. I got sick, so sick, without explanation. I went to @drlujeanfeng and saw/met both men and women suffering from the same implant toxicity. Some had had implants for decades, some had had implants for months. Although I loved my curves, and I don’t regret the decision to fix my breasts after I had my son, if I knew then what I know now, I’d have made different choices. I have felt so much better since the explant. I’ve seen first hand how much worse it can get and I was extremely supported by my friend and fellow patient @shuriecremona who can inform you much more intelligently about it. I’m still rehabbing my lungs, ribs, endocrine system, muscles and some other related issues, however, my close people and I can all agree that I’m doing much better than they have seen in a long long time.
My training has improved ten-fold (just watch my videos) and I feel so much improvement overall. I’m told there’s so much more recovery to come too!
This photo shoot was about TRUE LOVE for my body and TRUE FREEDOM for my health. Thank you for being supportive. This was a big and intimidating decision and something that I encourage anyone with random, stubborn and undiagnosable symptoms to look up. It’s not just breast implants fucking people up, it’s an immune system attack because of foreign objects being placed inside the body… look it up and see if and where it fits. Some people are completely fine with implants, some people end up dead. The FDA is now required to label implants with this caution of health risk. Do your research. Much love. Wear your scars. 📸 @ericcoleman “
Zingano’s message is a powerful one to anyone who’s suffered from BII, but especially people in combat sports who have felt their training suffering as a result of their symptoms. Hopefully her willingness to share her experiences will help others feel less alone in their struggles.
