breast Procedures
Breast Implant Illness
The Quick Facts about Breast Implant Illness
Length of Breast Implant Illness Procedure: 2 - 3 Hours
Anesthesia: General
In or Outpatient Procedure: Outpatient
If you’re not quite sure what breast implant illness (BII) is, that’s because it’s a relatively new term for a condition that hasn’t been fully defined and isn’t yet medically recognized, at least not in an official capacity that comes with specific diagnostic criteria.
Even so, a number of women with breast implants are reporting wide-ranging symptoms collectively referred to as BII. While there’s no doubt that these symptoms are real, researchers are still trying to determine if they’re caused by implants or if they’re the product of an unrelated illness or condition.
Here’s what you should know about this perplexing problem.
Even so, a number of women with breast implants are reporting wide-ranging symptoms collectively referred to as BII. While there’s no doubt that these symptoms are real, researchers are still trying to determine if they’re caused by implants or if they’re the product of an unrelated illness or condition.
Here’s what you should know about this perplexing problem.
Breast Implant Illness 101
BII is the informal term that some women — and even some doctors — use to describe a range of unexplained symptoms that women can experience following cosmetic breast augmentation or reconstructive breast surgery with implants.
Researchers’ current understanding of breast implant illness is largely based on the self-identified symptoms and anecdotal evidence women have shared with their plastic surgeons, primary care doctors, and one another across social media on popular pages that are dedicated to the topic.
BII appears to be associated with a wide range of potential health effects. Commonly reported physical and mental symptoms, include:
• Chronic fatigue and headaches
• Persistent joint and muscle pain
• Unexplained respiratory difficulties
• Hair loss and frequent skin rashes
• Chronically dry mouth and eyes
• Poor memory and concentration
• Depression, anxiety, and insomnia
Some women have also anecdotally reported unexplained chest pain, chills, sensitivity to light, and hormonal disturbances following implant surgery.
Researchers’ current understanding of breast implant illness is largely based on the self-identified symptoms and anecdotal evidence women have shared with their plastic surgeons, primary care doctors, and one another across social media on popular pages that are dedicated to the topic.
BII appears to be associated with a wide range of potential health effects. Commonly reported physical and mental symptoms, include:
• Chronic fatigue and headaches
• Persistent joint and muscle pain
• Unexplained respiratory difficulties
• Hair loss and frequent skin rashes
• Chronically dry mouth and eyes
• Poor memory and concentration
• Depression, anxiety, and insomnia
Some women have also anecdotally reported unexplained chest pain, chills, sensitivity to light, and hormonal disturbances following implant surgery.
Breast Implant Illness, or Something Else?
Although several studies and systematic reviews have looked into breast implant safety as well as the potential existence of BII, researchers still don’t understand the problem well enough to draw any definitive conclusions.
Even so, doctors and researchers are busy looking for answers. Given that the jury is currently out on why — and how — some women with implants develop wide-ranging systemic symptoms, experts are focusing on what they do know.
One thing they know is that many of the symptoms associated with BII are similar to the kinds of symptoms caused by autoimmune and connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. They also know, however, that the general cluster of BII symptoms doesn’t seem to match any classic disease diagnosis.
Even so, doctors and researchers are busy looking for answers. Given that the jury is currently out on why — and how — some women with implants develop wide-ranging systemic symptoms, experts are focusing on what they do know.
One thing they know is that many of the symptoms associated with BII are similar to the kinds of symptoms caused by autoimmune and connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. They also know, however, that the general cluster of BII symptoms doesn’t seem to match any classic disease diagnosis.
Breast Implant Illness Solutions
BII symptoms can emerge anytime after implant surgery — some women develop them right away, while others develop problems several years later. If you’re experiencing symptoms that you believe may be related to your implants, it’s important to see your primary care physician as well as Dr. Gillespie.
If your primary care doctor can rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, either through testing, unsuccessful treatment measures, or both, you may find yourself considering implant removal.
As of now, complete implant removal with en-bloc total capsulectomy is the solution that’s most likely to deliver long-term relief for persistent and otherwise unexplained symptoms. In most cases, both the implants and the surrounding scar tissue are removed. Implant removal often — but not always — improves or resolves BII symptoms.
If your primary care doctor can rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, either through testing, unsuccessful treatment measures, or both, you may find yourself considering implant removal.
As of now, complete implant removal with en-bloc total capsulectomy is the solution that’s most likely to deliver long-term relief for persistent and otherwise unexplained symptoms. In most cases, both the implants and the surrounding scar tissue are removed. Implant removal often — but not always — improves or resolves BII symptoms.