Understanding Breast Implant Illness: Symptoms, Causes, and Research Insights

Understanding Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness (BII) has been gaining attention among patients and medical professionals. Recently, there has been increasing discussion about the potential health issues associated with breast implants. But what exactly is breast implant illness, and what do we know about it? In this blog post, we'll explore the basics of BII, discuss the symptoms, and look at what research says about it—all in language that’s easy to understand.

What Are Breast Implants?

Before we discuss breast implant illness, it's important to understand what breast implants are. Breast implants are medical devices placed under breast tissue or chest muscles to increase breast size (a procedure known as breast augmentation or colloquial term boob job ) or to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy or injury.

There are two main types of breast implants:  

• Saline Implants: These are filled with sterile salt water. They are inserted empty and then filled once they're in place.  
• Silicone Gel Implants: These are filled with a thick, sticky silicone gel that closely mimics the feel of human fat. They are pre-filled before insertion.  The gel can be more liquid of more solid with the later being termed "gummy bear implants" given the similar appearance to common candy gummy bears.

Both types of implants have a silicone outer shell, and both types can vary in size, shell thickness, and shape. At Levesque Plastic Surgery, we provide detailed consultations to help you understand the best options for your body and goals. For more information about breast implants read this blog post.  

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast implant illness is a term used by some women and doctors to describe a wide range of symptoms that can appear after breast augmentation with implants. It’s important to note that BII is not an official medical diagnosis, but rather a collection of symptoms that some people believe are connected to their implants.


Women with breast implant illness report symptoms such as: 

• Chronic fatigue and headaches 
• Persistent joint and muscle pain 
• Hair loss and dry skin 
• Brain fog (difficulty concentrating or remembering things) 
• Anxiety and depression 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Rashes and skin problems 
• Gastrointestinal problems

These symptoms can vary widely among individuals, and not everyone with breast implants experiences them. Because the symptoms are so varied and can have many other potential causes, it can be challenging to establish a direct link between breast implants and these symptoms.

What Causes Breast Implant Illness?

The exact cause of breast implant illness is not known, and researchers are still studying this condition. However, several theories exist:

Autoimmune Reaction: Some researchers suggest that BII may be related to an autoimmune reaction. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Some believe that the body might see the implants as foreign objects, prompting an immune response.

Silicone Leakage: For silicone gel implants, there is a concern that tiny particles of silicone might leak out and cause an inflammatory reaction. Even in saline implants, the silicone shell could potentially contribute to such a reaction.

Chronic Inflammation: Some experts think that chronic inflammation around the implant may contribute to systemic symptoms. Chronic inflammation can potentially affect multiple parts of the body and contribute to a wide range of symptoms.

Bacterial Contamination: Another theory is that bacteria might grow around the implant, leading to inflammation and other symptoms.

Heavy metals and or fungus: Another theory that heavy metals in the implant shell can leach into the bodies capsule and cause symptoms and or fungus could potentially grow on implant surfaces causes the symptoms.

What Does the Research Say?

Research into breast implant illness is ongoing, and there is no definitive answer yet. However, some studies have provided insights into the potential links between breast implants and systemic symptoms.  We have better information now more than ever about how to treat women that experience these symptoms and can say with the most recent scientific evidence that bacterial/fungus/and heavy metals are not the cause of the symptoms.  Additionally most women that have symptoms will have significant to near total relief of their symptoms with removal of the implants.  The type of capsulectomy was also not a significant factor to relief of symptoms.

The most important part of the current research is that a en block capsulectomy is not required to relieve symptoms.  Even only removal of the implants was enough to relieve symptoms.  This finding has now led to more studies and calls to standardize different types of capsulectomy and their proper use which will help patients avoid overly aggressive surgery and decrease recovery time and costs.


FDA and Medical Organizations: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health organizations continue to monitor reports of BII and encourage research. In recent years, the FDA has updated its guidelines to include more information about the potential risks associated with breast implants.  Discussing breast implant illness and breast implant associated lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma are now part of every breast augmentation informed consent process as part of FDA requirements and also what every board certified plastic surgeon practices.  We certainly do so and spend as much time discussing the risks with our patients.

The Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery will have the most up to date scientific  evidence on breast implant illness and searches can be performed on their sites respectively for more information. 

What Should You Do if You Suspect BII?

If you have breast implants and are experiencing symptoms you believe might be related to them, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Here are some steps you can take: 

• Document Your Symptoms: Keep a record of your symptoms, noting when they began and how they change over time. This information can be helpful for your doctor. 
• Consult a Specialist: Consider seeing a doctor who specializes in breast implants or autoimmune diseases. They may have more experience with BII and can provide more specific guidance.  If you can start with your surgeon that placed your breast implants.  If they are dismissive of breast implant illness seek a second opinion with a board certified plastic surgeon that routinely treats patients with breast implant illness. 
• Consider Implant Removal: Some women choose to have their implants removed if they suspect BII. This is a personal decision and should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional. Our breast implant removal services at Levesque Plastic Surgery can help guide you through this process. 
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest research on breast implant illness. As more studies are conducted, we may gain a clearer understanding of this condition.  The best scientific resources on breast implant illness can be found published either in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal or Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 

Coping with Breast Implant Illness

Living with unexplained symptoms can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Here are some strategies that may help: 

• Seek Support: Connecting with others who are experiencing similar issues can be comforting. Support groups, both online and in-person, can provide a space to share experiences and advice. 
• Focus on Overall Health: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help your body cope better with illness and stress. 
• Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and yoga can help reduce stress and improve your mental well-being. 
• Stay Positive: While dealing with health issues can be tough, maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on things you enjoy can improve your quality of life.

The Importance of Informed Decision-Making

If you’re considering breast implants, it's crucial to make an informed decision. Here are some tips: 

• Research Thoroughly: Learn as much as you can about breast implants, including the potential risks and benefits. Understanding the types of implants available and their potential complications can help you make a more informed choice. 
• Discuss with Your Doctor: Have an open conversation with your surgeon about your concerns. Ask about their experience with implants and their approach to monitoring and addressing potential complications.  Certainly seek a board certified plastic surgeon that participates with national breast implant registries and can answer any of your questions about breast implants. 
• Consider Alternatives: If you have concerns about implants, discuss alternative procedures or options with your doctor. There may be other ways to achieve your desired results without using implants.  One way to enlarge breasts is with fat transfer from another area of your body.  This is not possible in all patients but is an option for some patients but might result in a different outcome than breast implants.  Such a procedure however has other considerations to discuss with your surgeon. 
• Evaluate Your Priorities: Consider what’s most important to you—whether it’s the aesthetic outcome, the potential health risks, or other factors—and weigh these carefully in your decision-making process.  The important findings with our most recent research suggests that in the rare case that you develop breast implant illness the vast majority of women with breast implant illness that have the implants removed will have relief of their symptoms.

Conclusion

Breast implant illness is a complex and often misunderstood condition. While not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, the experiences of many women suggest that more research is needed to understand the potential link between breast implants and systemic symptoms. If you suspect you have BII, it’s important to seek medical advice and consider all available options. Whether you’re considering having breast implants placed or possibly removing breast implants that have been placed, being informed and proactive about your health is the best approach. As research continues, we hope to gain more clarity on this issue and improve care for those affected by it.