I have lupus. Can I still have breast implants?

I would advise you to first get clearance from both your primary care physician and your rheumatologist. Once you have the go ahead, schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area (link below) to discuss your implant options. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Thank you for your question about breast implants and Lupus.Many women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis have gotten breast augmentation.I recommend that you get a letter of medical clearance from your regular MD and from your rheumatologist.To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery breast implant surgery.I hope this helps.

The answer is most likely yes. However, there are risks involved. You have to balance out the risks and benefits of proceeding with an elective surgery that involves foreign objects being placed in your body. Certainly, you want to work with a board certified plastic surgeon who will coordinate your care with the physician who manages your Lupus and prednisone.

It is possible to have lupus and still undergo breast implant surgery. I have performed this successfully with good results lasting many years. You should of course discuss this with both your rheumatologist and review medications that you may be on a certain medications may affect surgical healing. Reveal all your medications to your plastic surgeon.

Assuming you are cleared by your doctors for surgery, and based on your success with prior procedures, there is no reason that you could not receive implants.  Be sure to see an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation.

I appreciate your question.

You will need to be cleared for surgery by your primary care doctor and rheumatologist.  Many patients with lupus do have breast implants, and have no issues with their implants. The surgical stress might cause you to flare up.



The best way to assess and give
true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified
plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.

Best of luck!



Dr Schwartz

Although studies are ongoing, there are no reports in the current literature of a higher incidence of lupus or other autoimmune diseases among women with breast implants. I tell women with a history of lupus that implants could possibly aggravate their symptoms. I ask them to check with the doctor treating their lupus to make sure he or she is supportive of their decision to have surgery. Most of these women choose to proceed with the operation; happily, no woman has reported that her symptoms got worse after surgery. For more information on this and similar topics, I
recommend a plastic surgery Q&A book like "The Scoop On Breasts: A
Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths."

Based on your information, I think you should be a reasonable candidate for breast implants as long as your lupus is under good control and quiescent.  Ask you plastic surgeon and your rheumatologist for their opinions, too.

Yes, it is most likely that you will be able to proceed. Well-controlled medical conditions, assuming patients have received "medical clearance"  from the  appropriate physicians, are not a contradiction to proceed with surgery, in most cases.  Careful evaluation and treatment of the medical condition is necessary prior to determining the appropriate candidates for the  breast procedure.  In your case this would be best done by your rheumatologist.  The physicians who know your situation best would be best suited  to discuss your suitability for the procedure and the potentially increased risks/complications that you should consider.  
 Please make sure you are seeking consultation with board-certified  plastic surgeons (who can demonstrate lots of experience with this type of revolutionary breast surgery) who preferably work with board-certified anesthesiologists in fully accredited surgery facilities. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.  Best wishes.

Yes, you can have breast implants. We would just want to get medical
clearance from your treating physician before surgery.