Crystal Hefner Removes Breast Implants After Suffering Severe Side Effects

07/20/2016 04:32 pm EDT

Playboy model Crystal Hefner has removed her breast implants after she revealed that they were "slowly poisoning" her, the model shared on Instagram Tuesday.

In the photo, Hefner is seen in a hospital, lying in bed and wearing a blue hospital gown. "My Breast Implants Slowly Poisoned Me," she began.

Hefner, who is married to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, then detailed all the symptoms she had been experiencing due to her implants breaking down, which included "Intolerance to foods and beverages, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, cognitive dysfunction, stunted hair growth, incapacitating fatigue," and more.

The model shared that the mildest of her symptoms had started a few years prior, although she had no idea what their cause was at the time. She also shared that she began to cancel engagements due to fatigue, writing that she had to miss several work commitments, including a summer DJ residency, due to her illness.

"I've had days in 2016 when I couldn't get out of bed," she shared. "I've felt such despair knowing life was happening all around me but I couldn't participate."

She also revealed that she had been staying active on social media over the past six months by posting old photos so her fans would not realize how serious her symptoms were.

"I've tried to keep a façade of normalcy while working to figure out what was going on with my body," she explained.

Earlier this year, Hefner was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, but advice from fans helped her realize that was only part of the problem.

"I began to receive comments saying that my symptoms resembled 'Breast Implant Illness,' she wrote. "I found a Breast Implant Illness website and Facebook group with almost 3,000 members. My symptoms matched theirs."

Hefner got her implants removed in June, revealing that she felt better instantly after the procedure.

"Instantly I noticed my neck and shoulder pain was gone and I could breathe much better," the model wrote. "I know I won't feel 100% overnight. My implants took 8 years to make me this sick, so I know it will take time to feel better. I also have other illnesses to address, but with the toxic bags removed, my immune system can focus on what it needs to."

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