Why is it people mention BII but silicone is used for other things like chin implants, hip implants etc.?

Question

Lots of women try to put you off getting breast implants as they apparently suffer with BII but yet you never hear those symptoms with other silicone implants. Why is this you never hear about issues with other silicone biomaterials. Maybe is it because it can rupture? Could it be psychosomatic?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear amylouise23,
the rate of BII is very low. There have been numerous studies on the safety and efficacy of silicone breast implants. The FDA has approved them to be safe and breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States every year. Implants are much different than they used to be with rigorous testing and cohesive gel. I can't tell you how happy my breast augmentation patients have been with their implants.
I would recommend a consult with a plastic surgeon to go over all of your concerns. Saline implants are also a perfectly good option if you are still concerned and are less expensive.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Good point! In fact, in a current ongoing prospective trial involving women with breast implants who feel they have systemic symptoms, the majority had SALINE implants. This simple fact does not deter the SSBI activists who want breast implants out of all women though; they simply say it's the silicone elastomer shell that is common in both types of implants that has all the 'bad stuff' in it. Unfortunately, this trial looked at a lot of bad stuff: 20 different heavy metals, the genetic signature of any possible bacteria on the surface of the implants or in the capsule, endotoxins produced by bacteria and fungus, and even patient cytokines from their immune system and could not find anything that was unique to the women with symptoms versus the women without symptoms with implants, or even in women who never had implants. Further, how the capsule was removed and whether capsule was left behind had no impact on the 'recovery' of women with symptoms after explant; further debunking this incessant requirement from the SSBI activist to make women go to 'specialists' to perform a surgery called 'en bloc capsulectomy' (which is actually a common procedure that all plastic surgeons know how to perform). This whole thing is just one big gaslighting of vulnerable women with subjective symptoms who don't have answers. Further studies will be necessary to confirm, but it is most likely that SSBI is a non-entity.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that some people attribute to their breast implants. While there is ongoing debate about the existence and nature of BII, silicone is indeed used in various medical implants, including chin and hip implants. The safety and potential side effects can vary depending on the specific type of implant, its purpose, and the individual’s body response. Each type of implant undergoes rigorous testing for safety and efficacy before being approved for medical use.

Neil Tanna, MD, FACS · Answer

“Breast Implant Illness” or silicone implant illness is characterized by a non-specific and generalized constellation of symptoms. These can include malaise, fatigue, fibromyalgia, headache or other autoimmune like complaints potentially caused by a breast implant. Unfortunately, we have no diagnostic test for BII. In addition, it is poorly understood.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You have brought up a great point!  There is much we still do not know or understand about BII.  When those who complain of BII symptoms have their implants removed, many report symptoms improve.  Others do not.  It is important when considering breast augmentation that you are well informed and make the decision that's best for you.  Breast implants are FDA approved and deemed safe for use in the human body.  Millions of patients have undergone breast augmentation with no issues and are happy with their results.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You asked a very loaded question that still does not have a clear answer. We are finding in toxicology studies done on women's capsules of BII that their tissue is full of toxins with many are not found in implants. Many of these same toxins are present in hair dyes and tattoo ink, among other things.  When the capsules loaded with such toxins are removed, the women do feel better.  It appears that the breast tends to hold onto toxins more readily if an implant is present. Breast implants are larger than chin and cheek implant and other silicone devices used. Plus, the breast is full of fat which often easily attracts toxins of all types, especially pesticides. This is seen quite often in toxicology studies done on breast cancer tumors. We are still trying to find more answers, but so far, the implant itself does not appear to be the main culprit, but rather more the breast tissue and the capsule that is made.

Why is it people mention BII but silicone is used for other things like chin implants, hip implants etc.?

Answers (6)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (6)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Is the desired shape possible for my current body type? (Photo)

Breast pain 12 months after breast augmentation. Is this normal?

Possible OHIP reimbursement?

Breast lift and augmention is unsafe?

Are plastic surgeons required to track and share performance metrics?

Textured silicone implant vs smooth is there a much higher risk of bacterial infections with textured?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS