Breast Implant Illness

If you have breast implants and have a collection of symptoms similar to autoimmune and connective tissue disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Scleroderma, you may have Breast Implant Illness or BII.

If you have been to the doctor for endless tests but still have unanswered questions and no diagnosis. If you have multiple symptoms such as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, rashes or hair loss you may have Breast Implant Illness.

Having Breast Implant Illness can be upsetting and confusing due to the lack of understanding the medical community has about BII. BII is currently not an official medical diagnosis. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that all other inflammatory or connective tissue disorders have been ruled out. Yet patients continue to have symptoms without a diagnosis and treatment. If you believe you may have BII please give us a call. Do not give up hope. Explain your symptoms to your primary care doctor or call us to review your symptoms and possible treatment options.

BII can develop immediately after augmentation/reconstruction, or it may develop several years after implant placement. Symptoms can present as fatigue, muscle and joint pain, brain fog, dry eyes, respiratory difficulties, hair loss, skin rashes, poor memory and concentration, depression, anxiety, insomnia, or chest pain. Symptoms can occur with either silicone or saline implants as the outer silicone shell is manufactured in the same manner with same materials. Although numerous studies have been done to show the safety of breast implants and there are thousands of patients with implants and no symptoms, there are no scientific or medical explanations for BII. It is believed that these symptoms are an inflammatory response or reaction to the materials used to manufacture breast implants. ASIA or autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants may be a possible diagnosis of BII. However, it is currently not known and under investigation.

If you have symptoms such as those described and you have implants, there is a possibility of treatment. Breast Implant Illness is currently treated by having the breast implants and breast capsule removed. The breast capsule is the scar tissue the body surrounds the implant with and isolates the implant. By removing the implant and the capsule en bloc, or all together, your doctor removes the believed cause of the inflammatory reaction. Having the inflammatory cycle stopped will improve and relieve the symptoms patients may have. If you have symptoms and have not had relief or a treatment, give us a call to discuss your possibilities at a solution.

Dr. Edward Berzin has been performing this and other plastic surgeries in the Houston area for over 2 decades. Contact Dr. Berzin for a free consultation and learn how he can help you decide the best procedure for your particular situation.