Breast Implant Illness:

Everything you need to know

What is Breast Implant Illness (BII):

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a combination of various systemic symptoms that women have been reporting and believe to be related to their breast implants.

To date, these symptoms have been reported in women with saline, silicone, smooth and textured implants:

These symptoms include (but are not limited to):

fatigue
chest pain
joint pain
hair loss
headaches
chills
photo sensitivity
chronic pain
rash
body odor
anxiety
brain fog
sleep disturbance
depression
neurologic issues
hormonal issues

At this time, breast implant illness (BII) is not an official medical diagnosis as there is no blood or diagnostic exam to test positive for BII.

It has not been associated with an autoimmune disease or connective tissue disease at this time. The food and drug administration (FDA) has made no recommendations on diagnosis or treatment of these symptoms thus far.

Many patients are reporting their symptoms on social media and state their symptoms have been improved and resolved with the removal of their implants.

Common Questions:

1. Is SILICONE SAFE? DOES SILICONE CAUSE BII?

Silicone is an element that exists in nature as crystalline silica.

Silicone used in breast implants is different as it has had antioxidants, dyes, and plasticizers removed during processing.

Silicone gel implants are medical devices that have been studied by the FDA for many years and to date have not been proven to cause any disease.

Smooth shell silicone gel implants are currently FDA approved for use in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction in the United States.

2. Can you diagnose Breast implant illness with a test?

Currently, there is no diagnostic test for BII.

Many different organizations in Plastic Surgery, such as the American Society for Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, are funding research to further understand this potential disease process. There is no scientific evidence to date that has linked silicone gel breast implants and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

There are tests for autoimmune diseases that your plastic surgeon may recommend.

However, patients who self-identify as having BII have tested both positively and negatively on laboratory tests for autoimmune disease. So, at this time, there is no causal relationship between BII and an autoimmune disease

3. WHAt type of breast implants have been implicated in women describing bii symptoms ?

Women with saline, smooth silicone, and textured silicone implants have reported BII symptoms

4. What is the difference between BII and BIA-ALCL?

BII is a group of subjective symptoms that women are reporting and believe are related to having their breast implants.

BIA-ALCL, or breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a type of breast implant cancer that is related to the texuturing, our outer shell of a breast implant. You can read more about this here.

There is no link between BII and BIA-ALCL to date.

5. Does implant removal improve BII symptoms or cure patients?

At this time, there is no definitive epidemiological evidence to support a direct link between breast implants and any disease or breast cancer.

However, some women have reported different degrees of improvement in symptoms after implant removal. Improvement may be temporary or permanent. It is unclear what specific symptoms may or may not improve with implant and capsule removal.

6. Should i have my breast implants replaced?

We say the average lifespan of a breast implant is about 15 - 20 years. As plastic surgeons we do not recommend prophylactically removing or replacing implants if you are satisfied with the position of your breasts and you have no breast implant symptoms, such as implant rupture or capsular contracture (see below).

7. what is the difference between BII and capsular contracture?

When a foreign object is placed into the body (hip implant, breast implant, catheter), the body’s response is to form scar tissue around it.

In women with breast implants, the scar layer around the implant is called the breast capsule, and it usually takes 4-6 weeks to form.

In a small percentage of women, the scar capsule can become irritated and can contract tightly around the implant, pushing it up and out and causing pain or discomfort. This is known as capsular contracture. There are many theories as to why this occurs, and there are strategies to decrease the risk of this contracture.

The treatment for this contracture is removal of the breast implant and the capsule.

In women with BII, there has been no association with capsular contracture. Women do not usually complain about pain and tightness around their implants. Rather, they have systemic symptoms such as fatigue and malaise. However, the treatment is the same – removal of the implant and the capsule (scar layer) surrounding the implant.

8. What is the risk of developing BII?

At this time, because there is no definitive link between symptoms and breast implants, there is no “known risk.”

9. What ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND WHAT should I do if I think I have BII?

There are legitimate concerns about a potential link between breast implants and symptoms of BII.

If you are concerned you may be experiencing these symptoms and feel they are attributed to your breast implants, see your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Just remember, breast implant surgery is elective surgery, and you can always elect to have your implants and overlying breast capsule removed if you believe doing this will improve your symptoms.

10. How much does removal of breast implants and capsulectomy cost?

Each patient is different, and your needs are unique. The cost of this procedure will depend on the conversation between you and Dr. Parcells during your one-on-one consultation.

After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Parcells will perform a physical exam to evaluate your breasts as well as skin tone, laxity, nipple position.

She will then provide her expert advice and discuss your surgical options. She will also address all risks and benefits of the procedures you are interested in.

At the end of your consultation with Dr. Parcells, you will meet with our surgical coordinator who will address the logistics and finances of the procedure you are best suited for.

If you are a breast cancer patient, removal of textured implants is often covered by insurance. If you have Biomed textured implants, Allergan will cover the cost of new implants.

Dr. Parcells is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.