Breast Implant Illness- how common in your practice?

Question

I understand the validity of BII is contested but curious how often (as a percentage of patients) you see patients complain of BII symptoms so I can better understand the risk. Thank you

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Breast implant illness refers to a constellation of systemic symptoms which a patient will attribute to the presence of silicone implants.

This is an area of much controversy. There is no medical evidence of a cause and effect link. Some patients will achieve symptomatic relief after removal while others do not.

As such, treatment is unclear with most recommending explant and capsulectomy.

With regards to your specific question, rates are difficult to ascertain as there is no medical means to providing a diagnosis.

As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

George Volpe, MD · Answer

there is controversy as to whether breast implant illness exists. I am not suggesting that it does not exist as anecdotally there are women who will tell you that they find relief from autoimmune type symptomology when removing their silicone gel implants. However the numbers are extremely low. Multiple studies over decades have failed to show an increase in symptoms in women with silicone gel implants consistent with breast implant illness when compared to women without gel implants who seem to develop these symptoms in the same number. This does not prove that silicone gel implant illness does not exist although does suggest that if it does exist, the risk would be quite low. After 30 years of breast augmentation surgery, I have seen about 3 to 5 women who are sure that they have it. Do remember that these are generalized symptoms and can occur from a host of other reasons. In women who do not have breast implants but do have these symptoms, only about half of the time are we able to determine the nature and originof the symptoms.

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,
 
Thank you for the question.

In my practice, I see very low pecentage of patients with BII symptoms following breast implant surgery, I would say less than 5%.
 
The term BII is used to describe a variety of systemic symptoms which may be reported by some women following reconstruction or augmentation with breast implants.  These symptoms may include fatigue, problems with memory or concentration (“brain fog”), joint and muscle pain, hair loss, weight changes and anxiety/depression.
 
Although some women report improvement or resolution of symptoms following removal of the implants, the cause of the symptoms and the degree to which they may be related to the implants are unclear at the current time. Research continues to be performed to better understand any potential association with breast implants.
 
I hope this helps.
Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
 
Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

What is the experience of your surgeon? Discussion of all the risks with your surgeon may help you decide whether or not this surgery is for you. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ajeo24,
breast Implant Illness is not very common. There have been numerous studies on the safety and efficacy of silicone breast implants. The FDA has approved them to be safe and breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States every year. Implants are much different than they used to be with rigorous testing and cohesive gel. I can't tell you how happy my breast augmentation patients have been with their implants.
I would recommend a consult with a plastic surgeon to go over all of your concerns. Saline implants are also a perfectly good option if you are still concerned and are less expensive.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

The data is pretty clear: your risk of believing symptoms you are experiencing are due to your implants (SSBI, formally BII) are directly proportional to the amount of time you spend on the internet, a prior diagnosis of anxiety or health anxiety ('hypochondria'), and a preference for getting medical information from the internet over a physician. The material found in the shell of both silicone and saline implants exist in over 2 dozen other medically implantable devices used over the last 80 years, including one that sits in the brain that is placed shortly after being born and stays there for the lifetime of the patient. However, only breast implants have been 'plagued' with problems. Good science has shown us that there is nothing in a breast implant that is absorbed by the patient or her scar capsule. SSBI is a psychosomatic disorder that is being perpetuated by the wellness community for monetary gain (you know 'Infowars' type supplements that will cure all your ills). Don't fall for it.

Rajaie Hazboun, MD, MBA · Answer

thank you for posting your question here !BII is a very rare condition , it is more of a diagnosis of exclusion, as in we essentially rule out all other possibilities first and if the patient still has symptoms and wish to have the implants removed we go ahead and remove them. It is very rare in practice.I hope this helps, best of luck!

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Floridian,
   I have been in practice for over 37 years and performed breasts augmentation on well over 3000 patients using the sub muscular technique via the sub areola incision with exclusively smooth, round,  moderate profile Saline implants. I never had a patient with "real" BII. 3 patients who read about that condition and complained about joints pain and fatigue, requested removal of the implants which was done , however the symptoms did not improve in 3 and 6  months post operative  follow up. The overwhelming majority are extremely happy with their surgery.
   Always consult with experienced board certified plastic surgeons who operate in accredited surgery center for your safety. Most importantly , check the before and after pictures in the photo gallery, to make sure that they are numerous, consistent and attractive with nice cleavage, perky, symmetrical and natural looking.
               Best of luck,
                                     Dr Widder
                           widderplasticsurgery.com

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There are a variety of reasons that patients elect to have their implants removed and BII is rarely one of them.  BII is difficult because it is what is referred to as a diagnosis by exclusion.  This means there is no specific test for it.  Rather you one by one rule out other potential reasons for the symptoms until the conclusion is reached that it could be BII.  I've included a video that talks about this condition that I hope you find helpful.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I see very few women with complaints of BII. Most women who want their implants removed are because the breasts are now too large due to weight gain, one or both implants are ruptured, or they no longer want large beasts.

Breast Implant Illness- how common in your practice?

Answers (11)

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