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What Are The Causes Of Breast Implant Illness?

By: Dr. Christopher Khorsandi

9/17/2020

If you are considering breast augmentation, or if you already have breast implants, your surgeon has likely discussed the possibility of breast implant illness with you. This rare condition is not fully understood, and, in some cases, a patient’s symptoms may not even be related to her breast implants. However, it is important to understand what breast implant illness is, what symptoms to watch for, and what may cause it when you are preparing for breast augmentation.

Renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi and the award-winning team at VIP Plastic Surgery take breast implant illness extremely seriously and are dedicated to minimizing any risks associated with breast augmentation as well as helping patients suffering with breast implant illness in Las Vegas, NV achieve quick, long-lasting relief from their symptoms.

What is breast implant illness?

Breast implant illness (BII) refers to an array of symptoms that some women develop after undergoing breast augmentation with synthetic implants. Breast implant illness can occur whether the patient has saline or silicone gel implants, and may develop relatively quickly or appear after several years without warning. There is no formal way to diagnose breast implant illness. Instead, it is generally a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning a patient may be thought to have breast implant illness if no other logical explanation can be found for her symptoms.

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?

There is a broad range of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, some of which are relatively vague and may mimic signs and symptoms of unrelated conditions. This makes it difficult to determine with certainty whether or not the patient’s concerns are related to her breast implants or other process that may be at work. Common symptoms reported by patients with breast implant illness include:

  • Fatigue
  • Muscle ache
  • Joint pain
  • Headache
  • Brain fog
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Memory issues
  • Skin irritation and rash
  • Hair loss
  • Anxiety or depression

Dr. Khorsandi fully understands the frustrating nature of breast implant illness and is committed to helping patients understand what may be causing their symptoms.

What causes breast implant illness?

Unfortunately, no definitive cause has been identified for breast implant illness at this point. It has been suggested that patients who experience BII symptoms may have an autoimmune syndrome that is triggered by the implants, but this is not proven.

Will getting my breast implants taken out cure breast implant illness?

There is no guarantee that removing breast implants will completely relieve all of your symptoms, though many patients report a significant reduction in their breast implant illness symptoms soon after implant removal surgery. If symptoms continue after breast implant removal, it may help elucidate additional conditions or underlying problems unrelated to breast implant illness. For women who feel strongly that their breast implants may be causing problems, breast implant removal is always an option. Every woman deserves to make her own choice when it comes to breast implant removal surgery.

How common is breast implant illness?

Because some women may mistake the symptoms of another condition for breast implant illness, it is hard to quantify the prevalence of BII. However, complications from breast augmentation – including breast implant illness – are relatively rare. Another form of breast implant illness, BIA-ALCL, is even more rare. This form of lymphoma associated primarily with textured breast implants is not breast cancer, but it should still be treated by breast implant removal. Once the breast implants have been removed, most patients are completely cured and symptom-free.

Restore your natural figure and get relief from your breast implant illness symptoms with explant surgery in Las Vegas, NV

If you are having symptoms consistent with breast implant illness, it may be appropriate to consider breast implant removal. Call the knowledgeable team at VIP Plastic Surgery to schedule your private office or online consultation with internationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi today, and discover how breast implant removal in Las Vegas, NV may be the solution you’ve been searching for to restore a more natural look and feel comfortable once again.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.