Thank you in advance. I got my saline under the muscle implants in 2011. 1 year later I got diagnosed w/thyroid disorder. (This may or may not be related) recently I’ve been having odd issues that no doctor or test can explain. I’ve been thinking that this all has to do with my implants for years. I know there is no way to confirm or deny this tho. Now I want explantation. My question is is it necessary to have the total capsulectomy or will simple under local anasthesia explantation be Ok?
February 23, 2018
Answer: Thinking about explanation. If I have BII isn't it necessary for the total capsulectomy or will explantation be ok? Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your health issues. In most cases I advocate for removal of the implants and their surrounding scar tissue to leave only your native breast tissue. It will depend on the quality, appearance, and feel of your specific implants, however.
Helpful
February 23, 2018
Answer: Thinking about explanation. If I have BII isn't it necessary for the total capsulectomy or will explantation be ok? Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your health issues. In most cases I advocate for removal of the implants and their surrounding scar tissue to leave only your native breast tissue. It will depend on the quality, appearance, and feel of your specific implants, however.
Helpful
Answer: Breast Implant Illness Dear amdelarosa: Thank you for your questions. I am sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. Keep in mind that you are asking a question that is currently controversial; do not be surprise if you received very different responses from different sources and if responses change over the course of the next few years. Some general thoughts may be helpful to you. There are a very small subset of patients who feel that their breast implants contribute to a variety of illnesses. This phenomenon has been discussed since the 1960s and has been termed human adjuvant disease, silicone induced human adjuvant disease, autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants and silicone implant incompatibility syndrome. Today, systemic symptoms possibly associated with silicone breast implants involve the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, immune and inflammatory systems, GI and GU systems, psychological system, and the cardiorespiratory sound systems. The term breast implant illness is being used to describe the variety of symptoms thought to be possibly associated with silicone breast implants. You will find, that there is no consensus among plastic surgeons, whether or not there is a link between breast implants and the medical conditions of concern. In other words, as of today, there is no scientific "causation" shown thus far. The main theory currently involves a complex interaction of breast implant material with the patient's immune system, Involvement of bacteria/mycobacteria/fungal/virus/other adjuvants (known as Biofilms) as well as the patient's specific genetic makeup. It is theorized that the "wrong combination" of these parameters may lead to autoimmune disease and/or other associated systemic symptoms. However, personally having worked with many patients who have presented with concerns regarding breast implant illness, I think (as thoughtful and humble) physicians, it is important to keep an open mind (even though there is no definitive scientific demonstration of breast implants and specific illnesses except for a very rare lymphoma) and remember (again) that we may very likely not have a full understanding of breast implants and the potential interactions that may occur with each patient's unique biology. It is clear, based on the literature and my own anecdotal experience, that a significant percentage of patients who undergo breast implant removal surgery (and capsulectomy) do experience improvement in symptomatology. On the other hand, a similarly significant percentage of patients continue to experience symptoms despite breast implant removal/capsulectomy surgery. Generally, I encourage patients in my practice who have concerns about "breast implant illness" to undergo complete medical workups, and seek second/third opinions (internists, neurologists, rheumatologists, endocrinologists...) as needed. I believe in my heart that if these problems are caused by a Biofilm it is best to remove the entire capsule. I try to do this in an en bloc fashion if possible. Good luck and I hope this helps!
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: Breast Implant Illness Dear amdelarosa: Thank you for your questions. I am sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. Keep in mind that you are asking a question that is currently controversial; do not be surprise if you received very different responses from different sources and if responses change over the course of the next few years. Some general thoughts may be helpful to you. There are a very small subset of patients who feel that their breast implants contribute to a variety of illnesses. This phenomenon has been discussed since the 1960s and has been termed human adjuvant disease, silicone induced human adjuvant disease, autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants and silicone implant incompatibility syndrome. Today, systemic symptoms possibly associated with silicone breast implants involve the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, immune and inflammatory systems, GI and GU systems, psychological system, and the cardiorespiratory sound systems. The term breast implant illness is being used to describe the variety of symptoms thought to be possibly associated with silicone breast implants. You will find, that there is no consensus among plastic surgeons, whether or not there is a link between breast implants and the medical conditions of concern. In other words, as of today, there is no scientific "causation" shown thus far. The main theory currently involves a complex interaction of breast implant material with the patient's immune system, Involvement of bacteria/mycobacteria/fungal/virus/other adjuvants (known as Biofilms) as well as the patient's specific genetic makeup. It is theorized that the "wrong combination" of these parameters may lead to autoimmune disease and/or other associated systemic symptoms. However, personally having worked with many patients who have presented with concerns regarding breast implant illness, I think (as thoughtful and humble) physicians, it is important to keep an open mind (even though there is no definitive scientific demonstration of breast implants and specific illnesses except for a very rare lymphoma) and remember (again) that we may very likely not have a full understanding of breast implants and the potential interactions that may occur with each patient's unique biology. It is clear, based on the literature and my own anecdotal experience, that a significant percentage of patients who undergo breast implant removal surgery (and capsulectomy) do experience improvement in symptomatology. On the other hand, a similarly significant percentage of patients continue to experience symptoms despite breast implant removal/capsulectomy surgery. Generally, I encourage patients in my practice who have concerns about "breast implant illness" to undergo complete medical workups, and seek second/third opinions (internists, neurologists, rheumatologists, endocrinologists...) as needed. I believe in my heart that if these problems are caused by a Biofilm it is best to remove the entire capsule. I try to do this in an en bloc fashion if possible. Good luck and I hope this helps!
Helpful 3 people found this helpful