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Breast Augmentation Concerns for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

asked 3 years ago by lmb0114 in Detroit, MI
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 2,019 times
Tags: candidate, ulcerative colitis

I am having my Breast Augmentation done on Feb 11th but one thing still concerns me. I can't seem to find anyone else with my condition. I have Ulcerative Colitis which is an autoimmune disorder and I was wondering if my body will be more prone to reject the implants or if I am worried for nothing. I have researched so much my head is spinning. I don't know whether to believe all those horror stories because had I got implants prior to developing UC I probably would have blamed them. Honest opinions and answers are appreciated.

13 answers to Breast Augmentation Concerns for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

You and your plastic surgeon involve your internist and gastroenterologist in your care.

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a disease which affects the large intestine or colon that is manifested by open sores or ulcers in the colon. The main symptom of the active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood and cramping. Ulcerative colitis is a systemic disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestine. It is important that your disease is under medical control. Your gastroenterologist and medical... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Ulcerative Colitis and Breast Augmentation

Thanks for the question. You're right to ask questions and do your research. Breast augmentation is a serious consideration. Ulcerative colitis occurs in less than 0.1% of the population. There are many causative theories regarding UC and there is a presumed genetic component to susceptibility. Most believe that active symptoms in a susceptible person can be triggered by environmental factors. And most recent research does not conclude that UC is an autoimmune disease even though its... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.trivalleyplasticsurgery.com

Breast implant augmentation surgery in patient with UC (ulcerative colitis)

Many of the myths associating breast implants with auto-immune disease (human adjuvant disease) have been debunked by studies conducted by respected academic institutions. There is always a concern about performing ANY implant surgery in an immunocompromised individual and these should be discussed with your rheumatologist and plastic surgeon.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants do not cause any disease.

Hi. You ask a very reasonable question. Most of what you have read about breast implants is junk science. They don't cause ulcerative colitis or any other disease. If your general health is currently good, go ahead with your breast augmentation.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

No correlation between collagen vascular disease and breast implants

There is no correlation between breast implants and the diseases that derailed their use in the 1990's. Perhaps more than any other products, these reports have been studied to excess. Breast implants can have risks, but these are not some of them.

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and ulcerative colitis

As you know, ulcerative colitis is considered an autoimmune disease. The entire controversy in the 90's centered around silicone breast implants and their direct causative link to autoimmune diseases. That was a nightmare to live through with a lot of media hype and not much scientific data. I would have a frank discussion with the immunologist that manages your ulcerative colitis and perhaps get a second opinion and then make your decision. As far as I know you are at no greater risk... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ulcerative colitis shouldn't preclude augmentation

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder which causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The key to management is reducing the episodes and maintaining a healthy life style and good nutrition. You may periodically take steriods to help control the flareups and regular colonoscopy may be important as color cancer rates may be higher. Ulcerative colitis, while and autoimmune diease will not cause a rejection of your breast implants. You can safely have and enjoy breast augmentation with... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Here's an honest opinion...

Yes, this is a difficult situation since I have personally not placed breast implants in a patient with ulcerative colitis. It is true that you have an autoimmune condition, but that does not automatically mean you will "reject" your implant. The implants today are very non-immunogenic. In addition, your body covers the implant in a shell called a "capsule." This inhibits further contact with your immune system as well. If, for some reason, you were to get an... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation should be safe if UC is under control

Hi there, I understand your apprehension and concerns. As long as your UC is under good control, the procedure should be reasonably safe for you. In other words, talk to your GI doctor and be sure they don't disagree with your decision to place implants. The real risk is not that you will be at higher risk of "rejecting" your implants, but that if medications are required for your UC that depress your immune system, the implants may become infected, and implant infections in... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

I wouldn't worry from an autoimmune standpoint

Having UC shouldn't specifically predispose you to an increased risk of autoimmune conditions if you undergo a breast augmentation. The only issue I can think of would be a slight increased risk of implant infection if you should have a flare up and develop microabsesses in the colon from which the bacteria could travel in the blood stream and infect an implant.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

UC and breast implants

The literature does not support any association of UC or autoimmune disorders with Breast augmentation. I recently placed a tissue expander for breast recontruction in a breast cancer patient that has UC. She already has an implant in her uninvolved breast and will have a permanent implant placed in the expande breasts in the next few months.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

No scientific evidence suggesting UC will worsen due to breast implants

There are no scientific evidence to suggest that UC will get worse when you get breast implants. There are few reports related to fibromyalgia and gel implants. For your peace of mind you might want to go with saline implants. Good luck,