Breast Implant Illness

Breast Implant Illness

Refers to multiple global body symptoms that patients will describe having, while also having breast implants (the breast implants being blamed for the symptoms – with no evidence).  Some patients will elect to have their breast implants removed, in hopes that symptoms will ameliorate or resolve. Most insurance companies’ plans do not cover the costs to remove breast implants in this situation.  While some patients do experience improvement in symptoms, most continue to experience the same symptoms after breast implants are removal. 

The global symptoms are similar to tick bourne illnesses such as Lyme’s disease or other different tick bourne illnesses such as babesiosis and other infections. Some patients will develop hypothyroidism which can cause very similar symptoms, which is treated with Levothyroxine or Synthroid.  It is important to find the underlying source of the symptoms, before it is assumed to be related to the breast implants (which is highly unlikely – although possible).

 Implants can be removed with a surgical procedure.  Often patients will ask to have the capsule removed as well. Recent investigations show removing the capsules and the implants to be the same reduction in symptoms as removing the implant alone.  However, if the implants are ruptured, the capsule should be removed to remove all the silicone parts.