Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the U.S., with more than 190,000 performed each year. While breast augmentation can help you achieve a fuller, rounder breast shape, not every patient has an ideal outcome from their implants.
Some patients develop breast implant illness after augmentation. At Schoemann Plastic Surgery in Encinitas, CA, we offer treatment for patients who experience the symptoms of breast implant illness.
What Is Breast Implant Illness?
Breast implant illness refers to a series of symptoms some women experience after breast augmentation. Sometimes, the body does not respond appropriately to breast implants. The following symptoms are common in these cases:
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Chills
- Photosensitivity
- Chronic pain
- Rashes
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Body odor
- Poor concentration
- Neurological concerns
- Hormonal issues
While these symptoms can all be attributed to other conditions or underlying health concerns, they may be breast implant illnesses if they occur in the weeks following breast augmentation. Women who experience these after their procedure draw a link between their symptoms and the implants because they did not have these symptoms before surgery.
Breast implant illness is not recognized as an official medical condition or disease because the materials used to make breast implants have not been directly linked to these symptoms. Breast implants are made from either silicone or saline, both of which are hypoallergenic and body-safe materials. There has been no proven correlation between either of these materials and the symptoms that present with breast implant illness.
With that being said, research suggests silicone implants may be associated with certain autoimmune diseases. These studies indicate silicone implants may increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, or scleroderma. They may also exacerbate the symptoms of existing autoimmune diseases. This connection has not been distinctly confirmed, but studies are ongoing to determine the link between silicone implants and these conditions. The FDA has stated there is no clear link between silicone and autoimmune disease.
In any case, women who experience these symptoms desire resolution and relief from their discomfort. At Schoemann Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schoemann will work with you to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms and determine whether breast implant illness is the only connecting factor. He will then develop a unique treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms.
