Breast Augmentation Concerns for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

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 treatment is similar to other autoimmune diseases. It is not clear that UC is autoimmune mediated.
And there's the rub.
UC can be treated with medications that fall into the following categories:
Aminosalicylates (like sulfasalazine)
Corticosteroids (prednisone)
and Immunosuppressives (azothioprine, methotrexate)
It's the last two categories that can be problematic.
The problem is, things that are implanted in your body do not have a natural blood supply and thus are more prone to infection and less able to clear infection once one has started.
Corticosteroids and immunosuppressives change your bodies ability to fight infection. Around the time of the operation they can cause significant infection issues. Most plastic surgeons would exercise caution in performing an elective cosmetic operation involving implanted material if you were actively being treated with steroids or immunosuppressives.
There can be long term issues too. While the infection risks are greatest during the surgery and in the first month or so post-operatively those medications can cause infection problems even in breast augmentations that have healed (though the numbers are significantly lower).
There are other manifestations of UC that could be of issue.
Thromboembolic events have been reported with UC and any general surgery can cause clots to form in veins and should be actively prophylaxed against during surgery and potentially afterwards.
The above would be the primary concerns I would discuss with my patients. Issues of autoimmune disease being triggered by implants are anecdotal and do not seem to be supported by evidence at this time.
For your particular situation a close discussion with a board certified plastic surgeon in addition to your GI doctor would be recommended.
Good luck!

Thank you for the question.  Assuming the inflammatory bowel disease is well-controlled, elective breast surgery is not necessarily contraindicated.You are, however wise in being cautious about undergoing elective surgery given that you have an inflammatory bowel condition. As you likely know, some of the medications used to treat autoimmune disorders such as  inflammatory bowel disease are anti-inflammatory medications;  their use may increase your chances of infection.  I would suggest that you   communicate your goals with your gastrointestinal physician  who knows you best. He/she, will be able to evaluate your “risk profile” much better than online consultants will be able to do. Then, your gastrointestinal physician will be able to communicate with your  chosen plastic surgeon in regards to optimal timing of the breast augmentation surgery;  perioperative management of specific medications may also be part of this communication. Best wishes. 

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.