Is my body rejecting my silicone implants? How do I know if I have breast implant illness?

Question

Hi I am 23 years old, 5'5, 105 pounds. I had a breast augmentation on June 13th this year. I got 350cc mentor silicone gel, behind the muscle. I was okay for 3 weeks after and then I started feeling dizzy and have been ever since. My vision also seems a little off and my neck is tight in the lymph node area. I'm very scared this is my body rejecting my implants or that I have breast implant illness. Thoughts??

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

I am not sure what is causing your symptoms. Online and without lab tests and an exam, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. However, breast implant illness is a diagnosis which some doctors make after they have exhausted all leads and feel like they want to give something to the patient. I suggest you speak with your plastic surgeon and you can certainly go back to living without breast implants at anytime.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Numerous studies at major academic institutions have concluded that breast implant illness does not exist.It is important that you have a proper workup by your plastic surgeon and primary physician to diagnose what is causing your symptoms. Anemia comes to mind with several of your symptoms.  Have your physicians seriously search for a cause because blaming your symptoms on the implants is not to cause.

Is my body rejecting my silicone implants? How do I know if I have breast implant illness?

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Everything you need to know about Mentor Breast Implants

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Is my body rejecting my silicone implants? How do I know if I have breast implant illness?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mentor Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.