Will Breast Implant Illness affect how my body looks?

BII will not change how your body, especially your breasts, will look like. However, the removal of the implants and capsules can have a dramatic cosmetic change. Dr. Rai will discuss this in detail with his patients and show some examples of these changes.

Can breast implant illness cause breast cancer?

No, BII does not cause breast cancer. However, there is a type of lymphoma associated with textured implants (anaplastic large cell lymphoma). Textured implants have been associated with this ALCL and concern about the textured implants is often a reason people choose a breast explant.

Are there financial options available for either explant or capsulectomy?

Yes, there is financial assistance available for these treatment options. Most of the time health insurance will not cover an explant procedure (especially if it was placed for cosmetic reasons).

Breast Implant Illness

Dallas, Texas

Introduction

What Is Breast Implant Illness

Breast Implant Illness or BII is a general term given to patients who are concerned their breast implants could be contributing to other medical issues they are experiencing.
The condition is thought to be caused by an inflammatory response of the body to foreign devices (breast implants). Often patients have seen several doctors for these conditions and are often told they can’t find any medical cause for their issues. Because of those concerns, many patients seek a surgeon for breast implant removal and anything in contact with the implants (the capsule).

It is important to find and speak with a surgeon who has the right skills to perform the explant properly and safely.

An wide-angle view of a surgical team, including Dr. Rai, working in a darkened operating room under a bright circular surgical light. A large window shows a blue sky in the background.

Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness

Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

Joint pain
Muscle pain
Fatigue
Brain Fog
Memory Loss
Hair loss
Skin changes

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CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS

The causes and risk factors of breast implant illness are not fully understood, and research is ongoing. Nevertheless, Dr. Rai and the rest of the medical community are active in the discussion of this condition. Based on our observations, here are some potential causes and risk factors:

Causes

Immune System Response: The body’s immune system might react to the presence of breast implants, leading to inflammation and symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases.
Silicone Leakage: For silicone implants, there is a concern that leakage or bleeding of the silicone gel might lead to immune system reactions or toxic responses.
Bacterial Contamination: Biofilm (a layer of bacteria) formation around the implant might lead to chronic inflammation.
Chemical Sensitivity: Individuals might be sensitive or allergic to the chemicals present in the implants or the implant shell.

Risk Factors

Type of Implant: Some studies suggest that silicone implants might be more associated with symptoms than saline implants, though the evidence is inconclusive. Dr. Rai has removed almost equal amount of silicone and saline implants and hasn’t found that one is more likely to lead to BII symptoms than the other.
Surgical Complications: Complications during or after surgery, such as infections, could potentially increase the risk.
Pre-existing Autoimmune Conditions: Individuals with pre-existing autoimmune conditions or allergies might have a heightened risk of developing symptoms.
Length of Time Implants are in Place: Symptoms might develop or worsen the longer implants are in the body. This could be due to more a reaction to a foreign device and the longer it is in place the more issues patients might have.

Diagnosis and Evaluation Of Breast Implant Illness

For patients experiencing symptoms they believe are related to their breast implants, Dr. Rai follows a thorough and systematic approach to diagnosing and evaluating their condition.

Check the patient’s medical history for a symptom assessment and any pre-existing conditions, allergies, and previous surgeries.
If there are any significant issues that have not been worked up by the patient’s physicians Dr. Rai will suggest to the patient to have a complete physical exam and blood work with their primary care physician to assess overall health for any disorders.
Dr. Rai will assess the implants for any evidence of rupture, encapsulation, or physical issues with the implants.

Treatment Options For Breast
Implant Illness

Dr. Rai performs several kinds of treatment options for Breast Implant Illness, depending on the range of symptoms that patients may experience.

This is the most common way of performing an explant procedure for a patient with breast implant illness concerns as it involves the removal of the whole capsule while minimizing exposure of any fluid from within the capsule into the body.

The idea is to avoid contamination or spillage of any implant contents within the breast pocket that might be contributing to breast implant illness symptoms.

The most definitive treatment for BII is considered to be the surgical removal of the breast implants, a procedure known as explantation. Most patients will choose to have the scar tissue (capsule) surrounding the implant removed with the implant (en bloc capsulectomy).

Some patients choose to have the implants removed without replacement, while others may opt for implant replacement with a different type or brand (due to concerns about the cosmetic appearance after removal), although this latter option may not alleviate symptoms if the body’s response to implants remains the same.

A capsulectomy involves the removal of the implant and the scar tissue surrounding the implant. This procedure is thought to help remove any potential source of irritation or inflammation that could be contributing to breast implant illness symptoms.

Regardless of the type of chosen surgery, we encourage patients to have regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Rai so we can monitor symptoms and adjust post-operation treatment plans as necessary.

- This is the most common way of performing an explant procedure for a patient with breast implant illness concerns as it involves the removal of the whole capsule while minimizing exposure of any fluid from within the capsule into the body.
  
  The idea is to avoid contamination or spillage of any implant contents within the breast pocket that might be contributing to breast implant illness symptoms.
- The most definitive treatment for BII is considered to be the surgical removal of the breast implants, a procedure known as explantation. Most patients will choose to have the scar tissue (capsule) surrounding the implant removed with the implant (en bloc capsulectomy).
  
  Some patients choose to have the implants removed without replacement, while others may opt for implant replacement with a different type or brand (due to concerns about the cosmetic appearance after removal), although this latter option may not alleviate symptoms if the body’s response to implants remains the same.
- A capsulectomy involves the removal of the implant and the scar tissue surrounding the implant. This procedure is thought to help remove any potential source of irritation or inflammation that could be contributing to breast implant illness symptoms.
  
  Regardless of the type of chosen surgery, we encourage patients to have regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Rai so we can monitor symptoms and adjust post-operation treatment plans as necessary.