Breast implant illness (BII) and other breast augmentation complications are understandable concerns for our patients. Dr. Golosow is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing successful breast augmentations, but there is always a risk of complications in any surgery. For breast implant surgery, one of these risks is BII.

What is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast Implant Illness refers to a broad range of symptoms that may be attributed to the presence of breast implants. Diagnosing this condition is difficult because other conditions can have similar symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, and rashes. Although BII isn’t yet recognized as an official medical diagnosis, this may change as more data is collected by researchers and physicians. Breast Implant Illness is gaining more attention from the American Society of Plastic Surgery. 

How Common is Breast Implant Illness?

It is unknown how common this condition is. More than 400,000 people in the United States have breast implant surgery each year and most do not develop symptoms. Researchers do not know which patients are susceptible to BII or the exact cause. It is theorized that BII is caused by an autoimmune or inflammatory response to the breast implant. The presence of bacteria which can cause a biofilm around the implant has also been suggested as a cause.  

How is Breast Implant Illness Diagnosed?

Presently, there isn’t a test to confirm breast implant illness which is frustrating. Most of the time, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Other conditions medical conditions will be tested for and ruled out. Although women who develop these symptoms can’t be certain that implants are the causing factor, some studies indicate that women see their symptoms go away with implant removal. 

Should I Have My Implants Removed?

Removal of one’s breast implants is a personal decision. A guarantee of improvement of symptoms with removal can’t be made. That said, many women are anxious to try removal, and many do see an improvement in their symptoms. Surgery generally entails the removal of the implant and the surrounding capsule (referred to as a capsulectomy). 

Some women will experience immediate relief, while others have improvement within a month or two. However, some women do not experience the symptom relief they hoped to achieve. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in implant surgery is important when making decisions about removal surgery. 

Schedule a Consultation

If you have BII and/or have considered removing your breast implants, schedule a consultation today for breast implant removal in Fort Myers, FL. Dr. Golosow will be happy to answer any questions you might have and discuss your options for implant removal in greater detail.