Is it safe to get implants done with an autoimmune disease like HSP?

Question

Hi there, I am interested in getting a breast augmentation . I struggled with an autoimmune disease called HSP for a couple years which was very severe and was on my organs as well as all over my skin. I do still get skin lesions on occasion but I don't struggle with the disease anymore ( I believe it is dormant in my body). I would like to get this procedure but I worry it will bring back this disease/make my autoimmune symptoms bad. Is it safe to get breast implants with an autoimmune D?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Breast implants are not automatically forbidden in every patient with an autoimmune history, but your history of severe HSP with organ involvement makes this a higher-caution situation.

The key question is whether the disease is truly inactive. Occasional skin lesions may mean there is still some activity, so I would not treat this as a routine breast augmentation decision until you are cleared by the physician managing your HSP, often a rheumatologist and sometimes a nephrologist if the kidneys were involved. Before elective surgery, your surgeon would want to know your current medications, steroid or immune-suppressing treatment history, kidney function, urine protein/blood testing, blood counts, clotting risk, and whether you have had any recent flare.

There is no simple test that proves implants will or will not trigger symptoms, and the evidence is not strong enough to say implants definitely cause autoimmune disease. Still, surgery, anesthesia, infection, and healing stress can aggravate some inflammatory conditions. If your disease is quiet, labs are normal, and your specialist feels surgery is reasonable, augmentation may be considered with careful planning. If lesions are active or there has been recent organ involvement, postponing elective implants would be the safer direction.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Creative116873,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello !

It is important to adhere to the guidance provided by both your Rheumatologist and the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon you select. However, having an autoimmune disorder should not automatically disqualify you from undergoing an elective procedure.

Good luck !

Is it safe to get implants done with an autoimmune disease like HSP?

Answers (3)

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