I've wanted a breast augmentation for ages, the only thing holding me back is the concern of breast implant illness

Dear A7183790,

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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Breast implant illness refers to a constellation of systemic symptoms which a patient will attribute to the presence of silicone implants. This is an area of much controversy. There is no medical evidence of a cause and effect link. Some patients will achieve symptomatic relief after removal while others do not. As such, treatment is unclear with most recommending explant and capsulectomy. With regards to your specific question, rates are difficult to ascertain as there is no medical means to providing a diagnosis. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Hello, and thank you for your question. You have valid concerns, but I can rest assure you that breast implant illness is very rare. I have been in practice for 25 years and I have maybe taken 2 patients implants out for what they thought was breast implant illness. Once the implants were removed, they still had the symptoms they had prior. I am not saying Breast implant illness is not a thing but it's a very fine grey area. Again, this is something that is very rare and just be sure to do your homework and find a board-certified surgeon with great reviews and beautiful before and after photos.

Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. However, you have an alternative to breast augmentation. You can undergo a breast lift with fat transfers. The symptoms of breast implant illness may occur in women who have never had breast implants as well.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

According to the FDA , the risks of complications or chances of getting breast implant illness is 1%. Only possible complications that breast implants can cause include are breast pain, changes in sensation to the breast and nipple which are also very rare.
The decision here is completely up to you . However, risk of getting breast implant is extremely rare. Good luck

Thanks for expressing your feelings on RealSelf. Ultimately, surgery is never without risk, and the decision to undergo breast augmentation should be taken alongside your surgeon, who should be able to help you weight the individualised benefits and risks. Breast implant illness is the reason for implant revision in less than 5% of cases, and the potential confidence boost may mean that you consider it a risk worth taking. Access to 3D simulation may help you make that decision. There are a number of steps that your surgeon can take to minimise the risk of implant contamination in theatre.

In my over 25 years experience of just performing breast augmentation, with over 7000 patients receiving saline implants, I have not seen any patients with breast implant illness. Maybe because no saline leaks through the shell like every silicone gel implant will leak gel through the shell. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Studies have been performed showing that bacteria, bacterial byproducts, silicone, and heavy metals are the same in patient biopsy samples from women with breast implants with and without symptoms, and are also no different in women who have never had breast implants. Further, immune system cytokines are identical between the three groups, indicating women's immune system in the symptomatic group is in the same state as asymptomatic women and women without implants. Women who explant report a reduction of symptoms to similar levels as women with implants who didn't feel their implants were causing them symptoms and women without implants (who were getting a breast lift). This reduction of symptoms was the same if all or none of the capsule was removed. Women who are prone to SSBI are more likely to report anxiety or health anxiety, and prefer to get medical information from the internet instead of a doctor. At this point in time, there is no pathophysiologic connection between breast implants and symptoms, which points to psychosomatic effects.

Thank you for posting our question here !The science behind breast implant illness is still developing and in it's infancy, it is a very rare illness and is usually a diagnosis of exclusion (as in you have to rule out other causes first before making this diagnosis). there are no guarantees you won't have it but the chances are very very slim.I hope this helps, best of luck!

It is very rare desease that manifests in multiple areas of the body so it is very frequently very difficult to find out whether symptoms are related to implants. Without taking the risk you will never find out. Hope this helps.