If you’re thinking about breast implant removal surgery because you’re experiencing symptoms that may demand their removal, it’s normal to feel apprehensive about your health and about your appearance. One of the best ways to combat apprehensiveness is through information. So let’s discuss the basics of breast implant removal. Also known as explant surgery, the removal of breast implants is a surgical procedure that removes (or explants) the implants from the breast pocket. It’s done for a number of reasons, from breast implant illness to end of their natural lifespan (it’s recommended that you replace your breast implants every 10 years to avoid any complications) to capsular contracture or rupture and even simple just change in your preferences.
What is Breast Implant Illness?
BII is still somewhat of a mystery; it’s thought to be a systemic inflammatory reaction or a rare autoimmune reaction to breast implants or the scar tissue surrounding the implants, but while some who experience BII also get diagnosed with a specific autoimmune or connective tissue disorder, many don’t. Some believe it’s due to breast implant contamination (which is why it’s so important to initially choose a board certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation surgery). Others believe some women may be genetically predisposed to developing an immune reaction to the materials used in breast implants.
What Are Breast Implant Illness Symptoms?
Because BII is still not fully understood, the information we have is mostly based on self-reporting from patients, and there seems to be some commonality among those experiencing symptoms. Some of the symptoms commonly reported include:
- Chronic fatigue and headaches
- Persistent joint and muscle pain
- Unexplained respiratory difficulties
- Hair loss and frequent skin rashes
- Chronically dry mouth and eyes
- Poor memory and concentration
- Depression, anxiety, and insomnia
What causes Breast Implant Illness?
BII is still somewhat of a mystery; it’s thought to be a systemic inflammatory reaction or a rare autoimmune reaction to breast implants or the scar 
tissue surrounding the implants, but while some who experience BII also get diagnosed with a specific autoimmune or connective tissue disorder, many don’t. Some believe it’s due to breast implant contamination (which is why it’s so important to initially choose a board certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation surgery). Others believe some women may be genetically predisposed to developing an immune reaction to the materials used in breast implants.
What is the Treatment for Breast Implant Illness?
With the information we currently have, the most effective BII treatment is breast implant removal. Specifically, one that removed the implants and the surrounding scar tissue. An en bloc capsulectomy, a particularly effective BII treatment, is a type of breast implant removal surgery, or explant surgery, to remove both the breast implant and the scar tissue capsule all together, without opening the capsule, ensuring that nothing within it leaks into the surrounding area.
Because BII is not entirely understood, and because the breast implant illness symptoms list we mentioned above are very broad, it’s entirely possible they may or may not be caused by your implants. It’s important to discuss these symptoms with both your plastic surgeon and your primary care physician to rule out any other conditions.
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