I have several autoimmune diseases... Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogrens syndrome, hypo thyroid. Are breast implants safe?

Hello and thank you for your question. There is no proved link between breast implants and autoimmune diseases. As long as your medical condition is stable and adequately treated, it should be safe to have breast implants. Best,
Pejman
Aflaki, M.D.
Johns
Hopkins-trained double board-certified plastic surgeon

After gastric bypass, it is most likely that you have significant amount of hanging skin.  It is most likely that you do not need implants but do need a lift.  Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size.  The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  This procedure is safe in terms of any autoimmune disease as there are no foreign bodies used.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Breast Implant Illness and silicone related medical complications/autoimmune disease are controversial topics. It is a phenomenon which is supported by a wealth of anecdotal data (patient testimony on the internet) but no empiric data (hard scientific research). Patients reports a litany of symptoms which they attribute to their implants but the connection is difficult if not impossible to prove via objective evidence (lab tests etc).
Physician scientists may recognize anecdotal data but unless it is supported by Class I empiric data, it is difficult to place a great deal of faith in it. Clinicians should make decisions based upon evidence based medicine as this is the best tool we have to evaluate new and emerging treatments and technologies. Any claim can be made about anything, but unless verified it is difficult to put too great a degree of stock in it. 
That being said, it is easier to identify what one knows rather than what one doesn't. What we do know is that by all available measures today...implants are safe and specifically silicone implants are safe.
Silicone breast implants are among the safest medical devices in use today. These devices are also among the most rigorously studied and tested medical devices currently being used in the U.S. today. It is biologically inert and in that respect no different than the titanium used for bony fixation. There has been no demonstrated link between silicone and the commonly cited myth of autoimmune disease.(Note: Saline implants have a silicone shell and thus do not completely avoid the issue of silicone).
BII is not (as of yet) been recognized as an actual phenomenon with a discernible link to silicone. As such, there is no recommendations regarding augmentation in the setting of pre-operative autoimmune disease.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame

Provided the autoimmune diseases are under control, there may not be a contraindication to breast implants. No studies performed in the US have ever shown a link from breast implants and immune issues.  These studies have been exhaustive and have allowed silicone implants to be reintroduced to the market.

I have my patients check with their autoimmune treating doctor first to make sure they are stable and ok for cosmetic breast surgery. All of these patients were cleared for their surgery and did quite well with recovery, and healing. All of my patients were very happy with their experience and results. I recommend an in person evaluation by a plastic surgeon to be measured and discuss your goals. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. My patients tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size breast implant is right for them.
Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author                     
RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

I have not seen any evidence that breast implants exacerbate or cause autoimmune conditions. And I have personally performed breast augmentation on patients with thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, and sjogrens without reports of worsening of their problems. With that said, every patient is different and there are never any guarantees. I think that your risk of having problems is extremely low, but not zero. 

Hello and thank you for your question.    Breast implants are extremely safe, but I would talk to your PCP or rheumatologist about the additional risk in patients with pre-existing auto-immune disease, which is likely extremely low... Once cleared for surgery, be sure to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery.  In your consultation, be sure your surgeon addresses all your concerns and discusses the surgery details including the position and size of the incision used, the type of breast implants available, the risks and benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course.  Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in women who have a similar breast appearance to yours, and preferably at different time frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical outcome. 

And lastly, I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired breast outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you.  

For more information on breast augmentation, please refer to my link below.

Good luck.  

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS 
Harvard-trained Board Certified Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Dear Independent8400,
you will need to get a clearance from your doctor prior to surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

If your autoimmune diseases are fairly stable and controlled, you would probably do well with elective surgery. Do remember that surgery is stress, and stress may flair up an autoimmune disease. There has been no hard scientific data to show that breast implants cause autoimmune diseases, though many patients do believe that there is a connection. Most, if not all, autoimmune diseases do have a strong correlation to food and other allergies. Saline implants do have less foreign material than gel implants. I would suggest meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon, discussing your concerns and your options.