Breast implant illness is gaining acknowledgment in the medical community. Breast implant illness (BII) describes an array of symptoms related to breast implants that can range from skin rashes to joint pain, headaches, hair loss, anxiety, brain fog, chronic fatigue, and neurological issues. Many women have reported having BII symptoms after a breast augmentation or reconstruction with implants. BII symptoms may not resolve after the removal of implants.
Let’s take a deeper look at BII so you are better informed about breast implants. You want as much knowledge as possible as you consider whether to get breast implants or have existing implants removed. Always talk to your doctor.
Symptoms of breast implant illness
There is a wide array of symptoms for BII. Most of these symptoms can be associated with other body systems, and you might not suspect breast implants as the culprit.
Some of the symptoms of breast implant illness include:
- Anxiety
- Skin rashes
- Depression
- Dry eyes
- GI issues
- Persistent viral infections
- Headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Joint and muscle pain
- Brain fog
- Hair loss
- Insomnia
- Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
- Ear ringing
In addition, researchers have linked silicone implants with higher rates of:
- Scleroderma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjögren’s syndrome (dry eyes and dry mouth)
- Stillbirth
- Melanoma
Is breast implant illness real?
Like any surgery, breast implant surgeries carry risks. The most common risks patients are advised of are implant leakage/rupture, incorrect implant position, changes in nipple sensation, infection, bleeding, and accumulation of fluid.
Medical gender bias and BII
It’s unfortunate, but medical gender bias may play a role in the dismissal of symptoms and delayed diagnosis. Women can be treated differently than men when seeking medical care. Sometimes, women’s symptoms are ignored by medical professionals as “in their head.”
However, awareness of BII is gaining acknowledgment by the medical profession. While more physicians now understand that breast implant illness is real, the majority may not acknowledge the potential connection between implants and symptoms.
How often does breast implant illness occur?
In short, we don’t know. We need more research to know how often breast implant illness occurs. As more women report symptoms, more data will be available to the medical community about the frequency and prevalence of BII.
How high is the risk of getting breast implant illness?
Evidence suggests that breast implant illness may seem to have an autoimmune component. Therefore, it is likely more common in people with either a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases. Still, more research is needed to know a woman’s exact chances of getting BII. This is why it is so important to be educated on all the risks before moving forward with breast implants, especially for women with a personal or family history of autoimmunity.
What causes breast implant illness?
Again, we don’t know for certain, and we need more research. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact causative factors. Currently, very little money is invested to discover what causes BII.
Some experts have hypothesized about what could potentially cause breast implant illness.
Some of the Possible Causes of Breast Implant Illness Include:
- The body might be reacting to foreign objects (the implants) with an inflammatory response
- The body might be reacting to the materials making up the implant (e.g., silicone)
- According to the FDA, some possible causes of breast implant illness include:
- The body may have an adverse reaction to how the breast implant was inserted
How is breast implant illness diagnosed?
There is no specific test for breast implant illness. However, a doctor may perform other tests and examinations to determine whether the patient has an autoimmune disease. While you may have experienced the onset of symptoms following implant surgery, it is important to have lab testing to rule out other medical conditions.
Do saline implants cause breast implant illness?
Doctors may tell women that saline implants are safe because they’re filled with salt and water. They are usually not informed that saline implants can be just as dangerous as silicone implants.
Saline implants are usually not hermetically sealed, nor are their filling valves 100% secure. Bodily fluids, yeast, molds, and bacteria can all enter the implant, which leads to decay.
The opposite is also true. Decaying substances can exit the implant into your body. Over time, the implant contents may start leaking into the chest, and the toxic substances may spread throughout the body.
It is also important to know that breast implants, whether saline or silicone, have a warranty of around ten years. Once the warranty is up, you should discuss with your doctor whether to remove or replace them. The longer they remain in the body, the greater the risk of developing complications.
Can breast implants cause autoimmunity?
Many of the symptoms of breast implant illness (such as joint and muscle pain, fatigue, etc.) are also symptoms of autoimmunity.
Recently, a large multicentered cohort study was conducted, involving 99,993 women with breast implants. In this study, 56% of participants had silicone implants. The researchers found that silicone implants were associated with higher rates of Sjögren’s syndrome, melanoma, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, stillbirth, and capsular contracture. Saline implants were more likely to rupture in the short term.
Leaking silicone breast implants
In a study of women with silicone breast implants, researchers found that when the implants leaked, women were more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyositis, Hashimoto’s disease, and fibromyalgia.
Still, while the studies point to an association between implants and the development of autoimmune disease, more research is needed for additional evidence that breast implants definitively cause autoimmunity.
What is BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a cancer of the immune system). It is not breast cancer.
In 2011, it was discovered that there could be a link between breast implants (specifically textured implants, the type with a rough surface that minimizes migration and repositioning within the breast pocket) and the development of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Typically, BIA-ALCL occurs only near the breast implant and surrounding scar tissue, but it has been known to spread throughout the body.
What causes BIA-ALCL?
The causes of BIA-ALCL are still unknown, and more research is needed to determine what causes it. Some experts suggest that since textured implants have a greater surface area, there is a higher likelihood that the surgery will introduce bacteria, resulting in inflammation and disease. Others think the scar tissue that forms around an implant might be to blame, while some believe there is also a genetic component.
BIA-ALCL could have an infectious component to it, possibly chronic lymphocyte (white blood cell) proliferation and activation due to the development of biofilm.
Doctors have successfully treated BIA-AL-CL by removing the implant and surrounding scar tissue, along with chemotherapy and radiation. Chemo and radiation may not be needed in the early stages of disease.
Will having implants removed make symptoms go away?
Some doctors have seen mixed results regarding the resolution of symptoms with the removal of implants, he does feel that any patient requesting their implants be removed should have their wishes honored.
How is breast implant illness treated?
Explant surgery is currently the primary treatment for breast implant illness. Explant surgery involves the removal of breast implants. During explant surgery, the surgeon might also remove silicone from implant leaks, and the breast capsule – the scar tissue that forms after implants are inserted into the body.
Implant leaks do not always occur, nor does scar tissue always need to be removed. However, both can occur and are also possible reasons for women to have their implants removed.
You may want to work with a licensed functional medicine provider to address your individualized health needs. There is a strong connection between hormones and autoimmune disease, which is why it is important to address both as part of a holistic treatment plan. Explant surgery may not be enough to resolve symptoms, but you can be proactive to reclaim your overall well-being.
Explant surgery cost
Keep in mind that an explant surgery fee does not cover anesthesia, medication prescriptions, hospital fees, tests, or X-rays. These can add up quickly, and turn into quite a substantial sum. If you are considering explant surgery to remove your breast implants, it is essential to discuss all fees with your surgeon.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies will not cover implant removal surgery, unless it is medically necessary (e.g., ruptured implants or severe capsular contracture). Be sure to check with your provider to avoid any surprise expenses.
If you’re exploring explant surgery, it is advised that you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Don’t be afraid to ask in-depth questions about their experience, training, and how the surgery will be performed.
If your insurance provider will not cover your breast explant surgery cost, and it is not something you can afford out-of-pocket at the moment, you can still address overall inflammation, which may help with symptom management.
One effective way to reduce inflammation is through nutrition, lifestyle, and supplementation under your healthcare provider’s supervision. This is to help mitigate symptoms and is not a treatment or cure for BII.
Nutrition to help breast implant illness syndrome
Adopting a whole-foods eating plan to nourish your body and optimize hormones may help support you through this time and can be beneficial when undergoing surgery.
Eat a diet replete with fresh, colorful vegetables, grass-fed or pasture-raised meat, wild-caught fatty fish, and healthy carbs. Aim to include anti-inflammatory omega-3 rich foods like walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and cold-water fish. Cooking with herbs or drinking teas that include ginger or turmeric can also provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Healthy fats, nutrient-dense foods, and fiber-rich plants can support your hormones and overall health.
Supplements support for breast implant illness syndrome
It is always best to check with your provider about supplements specific to your needs. This is a good list to speak with them about.
Some of the best anti-inflammatory supplements supported by science are:
- Omega-3 fatty acids. The proper omega-3 to omega-6 ratio may help quiet inflammation, and omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for many body processes anyway. Humans need to get omega-3s through diet or supplementation. Unfortunately, the standard western diet is lacking in omega-3s and is much higher in omega-6 fatty acids.
- Adaptogenic Herbs. The adrenal glands produce cortisol in response to inflammation. This is a crucial hormone in controlling inflammation and is important in overall hormone balance. Adaptogenic herbs can help support optimal adrenal function.
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine). NAC has been known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, enhance immune function, and also support those with autoimmune diseases. - Turmeric (Curcumin). Curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) may help calm inflammation without the side effects of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Vitamin D. This vitamin has been shown to be essential in proper immune system function. Because of this, it may also influence inflammation.
Will diet and supplementation eliminate breast implant illness? No. These tools can help you manage symptoms if you are unable to have explant surgery right now.
How can you prevent breast implant illness?
If you already have implants, there is no known way to prevent breast implant illness, although not all women with implants will develop BII. Many women have no issues with their breast implants.
If you want to get implants, study up on the topic to make an educated decision so you can feel confident in what is best for you.
If you are considering breast implants, ask questions. Do your research. Make sure you know all the possible side effects and future implications breast implants could have. Try to find a surgeon who has dealt with or believes in breast implant illness. Then if you do begin to experience symptoms, you already have a doctor who can assist you.