I fear I have a breast implant illness. Mold in my implants, how do I know for sure?

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

While there has never been a scientifically documented case of a breast implant illness as you describe, when you have exhausted all of your other medical options, it is normal to look at something foreign in your body that may be playing a role.  The only way to truly know would be to undergo removal of your implants and see how you feel afterwards.  Having mold in an implant could only happen in a saline implant, and only then if unsterile saline was used to begin with.  The best thing to do is to come for a consultation and see what may be the best option.  I hope this helps.

Hello, if you are concerned about your breast implants, your family doctor and/or a plastic surgeon could do an examination and possibly imaging (like ultrasound or MRI) do determine if there is any obvious problem with them.  This might be a good starting point for you.

A complete medical work-up looking at your hormones and blood work. Lyme test is also important.Saline implants with open fill technique could get mold. New closed filling of the implants has been routine for over 15 years.Taking the implants out is also possible.

Mold spores in saline implants seemed to be an issue perhaps thirty years ago, especially in southern humid climates. Problems have been solved today with air filtration in the operating room, and "closed" fill of the saline implants such that the saline is never exposed to outside air. If you have saline implants the only way to know if the implants have remained clean is to remove them if you feel a risk is present.

There is no test for this and no way to know unless the implants are removed and you feel better. I've done this for patients and a few thought that they felt better after the implants were removed.