If you’re like many women, you may not even have heard of breast implant illness (BII) until you begin exploring your options for breast augmentation. Fortunately, that is likely because BII is relatively rare, with breast implant complications. in general, being fairly uncommon. That said, complications with breast implants are possible and do occur in some cases, and it is important for patients to understand what signs of breast augmentation complications they should keep an eye out for. Here, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz discusses some of the early signs and symptoms of breast implant illness that may mean you need to call your doctor for further evaluation.
WHAT IS BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS (BII)?
Breast implant illness is not a medically diagnosable condition. Instead, BII is widely considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that no other definitive explanation can be found for the patient’s symptoms, and the conclusion is ultimately made that her symptoms are likely to be linked to her breast implants.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BII?
Patients with BII often describe a constellation of wide-ranging symptoms, both physical and psychological, that can be mild or severe, chronic or intermittent, and come on suddenly or gradually. Some of the most common symptoms of BII reported by patients include:
- Chronic pain
- Rash/skin problems
- Acne
- Brain fog
- Memory problems
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Chronic fatigue
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Gastrointestinal problems (IBS, etc.)
- Yellowing of the eyes
HOW SOON CAN YOU GET BII AFTER GETTING IMPLANTS?
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.
WILL BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL CURE BII?
Breast implant illness is not a formally diagnosable and treatable medical condition. However, many women report significant relief from their BII symptoms following the removal of their breast implants. For some women, symptom improvement is noticeable almost immediately, while others don’t experience a marked difference for many months or even years. Another possibility to consider is that breast implant removal may not improve your BII symptoms.
CAN YOU GET NEW IMPLANTS PUT IN AFTER BII BREAST IMPLANT REMOVAL?
While it is certainly possible to replace your implants with new ones, most surgeons agree that patients who develop BII after an initial breast augmentation are likely to experience similar symptoms if the breast implants are removed and replaced with new ones. Dr. Schwartz understands that this can be discouraging for some women and is committed to helping patients find a solution that helps them feel better without completely sacrificing their desired look. During your initial consultation for BII surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Schwartz will discuss your options for restoring or preserving your aesthetic preferences, such as performing a breast lift and/or fat transfer to the breast following removal of your implants.
SUSPECT BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS? EXPLORE IMPLANT REMOVAL IN BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Top Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz recognizes that breast implant illness symptoms can be disruptive and painful and is dedicated to helping women suffering from BII symptoms feel better as soon as possible. To learn more about if your unexplained symptoms may be associated with your breast implants, call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schwartz today.
