Breast Implant Illness (BII): What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment (2024)

FAQs

Breast Implant Illness (BII): What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment? ›

Breast implant illness (BII) is a collection of symptoms that occur in people with breast implants. There isn't an official medical diagnosis for BII. Symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, dry eyes and many other health concerns. Healthcare providers diagnose BII by ruling out other health conditions.

The plastic surgeons with experience treating BII who we spoke with said removing the implants and all or part of the surrounding scar tissue capsules is the most effective treatment for improving symptoms in the long term. One of the procedures surgeons often perform is called a total capsulectomy.

If you experience any symptoms of BIA-ALCL, such as persistent swelling or pain, or other changes in the area around your breast implant, talk to your surgeon or health care provider about the need for further evaluation.

Patients can start to develop BII symptoms almost immediately after getting breast implants, but it can also take many years or even decades before symptoms begin to appear.

Researchers in the Netherlands studied 80 women with implants and found that symptoms improved in 69% of patients after surgery. Clearly, breast implant removal improves or completely resolves the BII symptoms. However, BII is not accepted as an official medical diagnosis.

Provide your body with whole, organic foods, non-GMO diet full of dark green vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and high fiber. These foods will support detoxification, lower inflammation, and boost up the immune system. Avoid gluten, dairy, soy, sugar as much as possible, as these foods contribute to inflammation.

Symptoms may include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, dry eyes and many other health concerns. Healthcare providers diagnose BII by ruling out other health conditions. Breast implant illness treatment involves removing the implants. Many people see improvement in their symptoms soon after implant removal.

Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and hypothyroidism often produce fatigue, joint and muscle pain, “brain fog,” anxiety or depression, and hair loss in affected patients who may or may not have breast implants.

Breast Implant Illness is more likely to occur in women who have a personal or family history of autoimmune conditions, allergies and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.

Breast implant illness is rare, and there is no specific blood test for the condition. In fact, medical professionals know little about the condition — besides the fact that removing breast implants can often improve conditions for the patient.

What does a bii rash look like? ›

The rash may appear as a red, itchy, or scaly patch of skin, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, blistering, or hives.

The problem is – we don't know much about the mechanisms that cause BII. We don't have a specific test for it and it's pretty rare: breast implant statistics show that less than 1.5% of women with breast implants develop these symptoms.

Usually, most patients who gain a bit of weight from being sedentary after surgery lose weight once they resume their routine. It is still unknown if the implants themselves or the symptoms of the illness are responsible for potential weight gain.

They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate. Capsular contracture may also occur, which is shrinkage of natural scar tissue that your body produces around any implanted medical device. This may result in firm or hard breasts or a deformity which you can feel or see.

If you develop unexplained symptoms that you suspect may stem from your breast implants, talk with a board certified plastic surgeon. We will listen to you and try to determine what the cause of your symptoms are and connect you with specialists if need be.

Surgery to remove the implants (explant surgery) and its surrounding capsule (capsulectomy) can improve symptoms of Breast Implant Illness.

Silicone breast implant removal may relieve early autoimmune symptoms, but it will not cure an autoimmune disease that has already developed. The decision to have your breast implants removed is personal and one that should be made with your doctor.

Typically, a healthcare provider just pulls on the string that hangs from the device, the “T” arms fold in, and the little bugger comes out. Given that, you may be wondering if it's OK to remove the device on your own at home. The short answer: It's best to have your IUD removed by a healthcare provider.