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Breast implant illness (BII) refers to a difficult-to-diagnose condition where individuals experience negative symptoms attributed to their breast implants. Experienced plastic surgeons specializing in BII treatment suggest removing both the implants and surrounding scar tissue or capsules to effectively alleviate symptoms long-term, often through a procedure known as total capsulectomy.
While the exact reasons behind this condition remain unclear, replacing implants is generally discouraged due to the risk of symptom recurrence. Patients may opt for flat reconstruction, which is a surgical approach where breast tissue is not reconstructed after breast implant removal or mastectomy, resulting in a flat chest contour.
There are some other alternatives to post-implant removal, such as autologous reconstruction, in which tissue from the patient’s own body is used to reconstruct the breast following breast implant removal.
Fat grafting is another option where fat tissue is harvested from one part of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and is then purified and injected into the breast area to enhance volume, shape, or contour.
Anyone considering these surgical alternatives should discuss potential risks and benefits with a plastic surgeon. It is also important to note that implant removal might not guarantee that the symptoms will go away.
In addition to these surgical options, physicians recommend lifestyle adjustments post-surgery, such as maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction, to aid healing and reduce inflammation associated with BII symptoms.
Ultimately patients undergoing breast augmentation surgery should be aware of the risks associated with it including breast implant illness.
