Breast implant illness - what are the chances of experiencing these symptoms?

Question

Hello, I am a 36-year-old female and have been considering getting a mini boob job for a long time now. My main concern is breast implant illness, what are the chances of experiencing these symptoms? how many women get their breast implants removed? thank you in advance for your help.

George Bitar, MD · Answer

As plastic surgeons, we are continuing to learn more about breast implant illness, but there are still things we do not know.  The most common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, muscle/joint aches, headache, and memory issues.  Unfortunately, there is not a set of criteria or a laboratory/imaging test to make the diagnosis, so the exact chances of getting it are unknown.  Fortunately, the vast majority of women get improvement in their symptoms with removal of their implants.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Breast implant illness is poorly defined medical condition that have been observed for 30-40 years in small number of patients after breast augmentation with silicone implants. Symptoms are very diverse and it is impossibleto to cover all of that in this type of communication. It is apsolutelly unpredictable who may experience these simptoms after silicone implants placement. You can find much more information online. Good luck.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Nobody can tell you what the risk of implant illness is and many plastic surgeons still don’t think it’s real at all. However for peace of mind your might want to consider saline instead of silicone

Heather Vande Ven, DO · Answer

Breast implant illness (BII) refers to a range of symptoms that some individuals attribute to their breast implants. These symptoms can vary widely among individuals and may include fatigue, joint pain, memory loss, brain fog, rash, anxiety, and depression, among others. It's important to note that the concept of BII is still somewhat controversial, and the medical community has not universally accepted it as a distinct medical condition.
The chances of experiencing symptoms associated with BII can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may have breast implants for many years without experiencing any significant symptoms, while others may develop symptoms relatively soon after getting implants.
Several factors may influence the likelihood of experiencing symptoms attributed to BII, including:
1.	Type of implants: Some individuals believe that certain types of implants, particularly those containing silicone, may be more likely to cause symptoms associated with BII compared to saline implants. However, research on this topic has been inconclusive.
2.	Individual health factors: Pre-existing health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, allergies, and genetic predispositions, may increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms attributed to BII.
3.	Implant characteristics: Factors such as implant size, texture, and placement may influence the risk of experiencing symptoms associated with BII.
4.	Psychological factors: Psychological factors, such as anxiety or hypervigilance regarding one's health, may contribute to the perception of symptoms.
5.	Surgical factors: The surgical technique used to insert the implants and any complications during or after surgery may impact the likelihood of experiencing symptoms associated with BII.
It's essential for individuals who are concerned about symptoms related to their breast implants to consult with a skilled healthcare professional. A thorough evaluation can help determine the cause of symptoms and guide appropriate treatment options, which may include removing the implants if deemed necessary.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

The chances of experiencing symptoms related to breast implant illness vary among individuals. Some may not experience any issues, while others may report symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or cognitive difficulties. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about breast implant-related symptoms.

Jon S. Wilensky, MD · Answer

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms that some individuals with breast implants claim to experience. These symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, cognitive issues, headaches, and various other health problems. However, it's important to note that the existence and validity of Breast Implant Illness is a topic of debate within the medical community. While some individuals believe that their health issues are directly caused by their breast implants, there is limited scientific evidence to establish a direct causal relationship between breast implants and the reported symptoms. The symptoms associated with BII are nonspecific and can be caused by a range of other factors, such as stress, pre-existing medical conditions, or unrelated environmental factors.If you are considering breast augmentation surgery or are experiencing health issues related to breast implants, it's crucial to consult with a qualified medical professional. They can provide you with the most up-to-date information, assess your individual situation, and help you make informed decisions about your health and potential treatments including breast implant removal.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

BII is a difficult diagnosis to pen down just upon breast implants. There are many many complaints with some having no known association with breasts.  Some women do get better, but many women do not improve once the implants are removed.  Recent studies have shown heavy metals in the breast capsules with metals not present in implants but are present in tattoo dyes and hair dyes.  If you are concerned, avoid implants and consider fat transfers. I would also recommend avoiding tattoos and hair dyes.

Justin K. Williams, MD · Answer

The cause or true identity of "Breast implant illness" has not yet been fully analyzed by the medical community. While it is commonly discussed in social media and median general, those discussing it usually are not educated medical professionals. A task force is currently in place through the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic surgeons to better assess a causal relationship between Breast implants and the vague symptoms expressed by patients who claimed to have breast implant illness. With this being said, we do not Yet have a way to identify patients that are at higher risk for this. Since the symptoms are so vague and can cross with many other medical problems (The most common symptoms being fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, Nonspecific rashes), the number of patients who have breast implant illness it is hard to fully know. The likelihood, based on the medical literature, is somewhere between 1 in 4000 and 1 in 30,000 patients. 
I think most plastic surgeons have met with patient's who have had these concerns and have removed implants based on patient desires for implant removal. That being said, I think the vast majority of board certified or board eligible plastic surgeons are removing far fewer implants and they are placing. Breast implants are extremely safe in patients when placed by a properly trained plastic surgeon.
Segmentation surgery is a common procedure that I performed. Please see the attached sling for more information from our practice.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Breast implant illness is a rare condition that includes a collection of vague symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog that some attribute to the presence of breast implants.  Those who are suspected of having this can elect to have the implants removed at any time.  For many of those patients the symptoms resolve after removal.  I've included a video that addresses implant removal but there is also a section about Breast Implant Illness.

Breast implant illness - what are the chances of experiencing these symptoms?

Answers (9)

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