As the season changes and the skies clear, this story will remind you that new beginnings and greener pastures do, in fact, lie ahead…

Meet health warrior Bonnie…Lulalu’s Lady of the month for May!

"I am a 43-year-old wife, mother, and author. For my 40th birthday, I gifted myself a breast augmentation. I have always lived a healthy lifestyle, and after bodybuilding and breastfeeding three babies in a row, I felt entitled and excited about my “mommy makeover”. I trusted that this wildly popular procedure was safe (and surely by now perfected) as I joined the millions of women who have this elective surgery every year. Initially, everything was fine, and I was satisfied with my new silhouette, but within a few short years, my health started to decline. I noticed swelling on the bottoms of my feet, and soon itchy hives developed on my feet, ankles, hands, and eventually all over my body. I began to develop food sensitivities to everything and suffered from painful acid reflux that made sleeping impossible. My hair was coming out in clumps, and I was having trouble focusing on reading and writing and for an author- that’s not good. I was more irritable, and my anxiety showed back up in a big way.

I was determined to get to the root cause of my issues. After numerous tests (bloodwork, dermatologist, allergist, etc.) and doctor visits, I was told I was healthy- on paper, but I knew something wasn’t right.  I remembered a friend who underwent an explant procedure (removing her breast implants), and I reluctantly started researching “Breast Implant Illness,” thinking that if it was real, it had to be rare. I was shocked in both regards. I discovered that many women reported similar symptoms and reversed those symptoms after explanting. Of course, I couldn’t possibly know for sure unless I removed my implants, but with everything else ruled out, I finally knew what my next step would be. I explanted on September 1st, 2022, and my mental clarity was almost instant. My creativity and joy were restored. I watched all of my BII symptoms disappear: no more hives, no more inflammation, no more gut issues, no more food sensitivities, and no more toxic bags near my heart slowly poisoning me. In short, I was back to the “New, Old Me”. I felt relieved, proud, and compelled to share my story."

Tell us more about your emotions when you first tried on a properly fitting Lulalu bra.

"I am still very much on the journey and still processing everything and adjusting to my once again new silhouette. When my body healed from the surgery, I went searching for bras in my new size. After flipping through the busty racks, I went to a popular store and finally asked the saleswoman for what I guessed would be my bra size: 36AA. She quickly informed me that they only carried “common” sizes. Knowing she was just doing her job, I smiled politely and left the store feeling deflated in more ways than one.

At home, I did a quick Google search for “bras for small chests,” and I found Lulalu. I was thrilled at their tagline: “Perfect Bras Designed Exclusively for Small Boobs.” I browsed the collection and was drawn to the feminine and sexy lace Callie Wireless Bra in black. I ordered my “uncommon” size of 36AA and waited excitedly. When it finally arrived, I was impressed by the quality of the fabric and the beautiful lace detail. I slipped on the bra, looked at my reflection in the mirror, and fought back the tears of joy. Besides being incredibly soft and comfortable, it was stunningly beautiful.

For the first time since my brave and scary decision to explant- I felt sexy. I snapped a photo of myself and sent it to my husband. He agreed. :) I immediately returned to the Lulalu website to buy the matching Callie panties to complete my set. Best. Purchase. Ever."

Any tips or words of wisdom to help other Lulalu Ladies feel inspired or empowered that may have faced a similar challenge?

"If stores and “common” sizing don’t fit you, that doesn’t mean there is ANYTHING wrong with your shape. It just means you haven’t found your fit. Thank goodness for companies like Lulalu, who embrace the beauty of uniqueness in women of all shapes and sizes. Every woman has a #DifferentKindOfSexy. Own it. Embrace It. Decorate it- in Lulalu"

"If stores and “common” sizing don’t fit you, that doesn’t mean there is ANYTHING wrong with your shape. It just means you haven’t found your fit. Thank goodness for companies like Lulalu, who embrace the beauty of uniqueness in women of all shapes and sizes. Every woman has a #DifferentKindOfSexy. Own it. Embrace It. Decorate it- in Lulalu"

Bonnie, you are a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story. 

To learn more about Bonnie and her story, visit her YouTube Channel: Bonnie Clark Books, where she shares a 3 part blog series about her journey back to health and self-love. 

Are you the next Lulalu Lady? Do you know someone who has a compelling story to share? Send an email to stories@Lulalu.com with your story, and you just might be the next feature. We can’t wait to hear from you!