Posted July 29, 2021 in Breast Implant Illness
3 Minute Read:
Breast implant illness (BII) is a serious condition with several side effects (including physical pain and memory fog) that affect some women with breast implants. Unfortunately, not everyone, including many plastic surgeons and doctors, believes that it is real.
Even so, many women are experiencing real problems.
Why do some women experience side effects, and why is it difficult for doctors to get on the same page?
Many women are excited and anxious to get their breast implants, whether they are looking for breast augmentation to address naturally small breasts or breast augmentation with a breast lift to address post-pregnancy or post-weight loss deflation and sagging.
Hundreds of thousands of women get breast implants every year, and many never experience any pain or complications with their implants; however, that cannot be said for every woman.
What Is Breast Implant Illness?
To best describe breast implant illness, it is best to look at the range of side effects associated with breast implant illness.
BII symptoms are thought to include (but are not limited to):
- Chest pain
- Muscle and joint pain
- Muscle deterioration
- Heart palpitations
- Chronic inflammation
- Sweating without physical exertion
- Tension headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Disturbed sleep
- Hair loss
Women with breast implants (regardless of implant type) who experience some of the above side effects are considered to be suffering from BII.
To learn more about what BII is, read our blog here.
Why Do Some Women Get Breast Implant Illness?
The exact cause of breast implant illness is still unknown, which is partially why it is difficult for the medical world to agree on its existence. However, for those breast implant illness believers, the condition is commonly associated with bacteria that enter the body during surgery and stays within the breast capsule, where it is protected from the body’s immune system.
Additionally, it is very difficult to determine how a woman’s body and their immune system will react to a foreign object in the body (such as a breast implant) and the materials used in that implant. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to determine a woman’s risk of breast implant illness before the surgery.
Why Is Breast Implant Illness Still Debated Among Doctors?
Over recent years, thousands of women have come forward to discuss their troubles with breast implant illness. Several social media groups have been formed to serve as a platform for women to get the word out about this.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the medical community agrees.
This debate is simply because there hasn’t been enough research on the connection between breast implants and the side effects. Since these side effects are similar to other autoimmune conditions, it is difficult for some physicians and researchers to conclude decisively that the problem is BII and not something else.
What Should I Do if I’m Experiencing Implant-Related Pain?
Many women experience significant — if not entire — relief from their symptoms once their implants are removed. So, it is critical that you act fast if you are having problems. The sooner you meet with a surgeon and schedule a breast implant removal procedure, the sooner you can start to experience relief.
Even though BII is not an official diagnosis, there are many plastic surgeons who believe that this is an entirely real condition, like Dr. Charles Messa of Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center.
You will be able to discuss your other breast enhancement options during your consultation with Dr. Messa.
Contact Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center Today!
If you live in Florida and would like to have your breast implants removed or want to learn more about breast implant illness, don’t hesitate to contact Weston Cosmetic Surgery Center.
Call the team at (954) 659-7760 or (877) 250-8117 or fill out our online contact form.
We acknowledge that breast implant illness is a very real and worrying experience for many women. We are here to help.
