What Is Breast Implant Illness?

While breast implants have been used for decades in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, some women report a constellation of symptoms believed to be linked to their breast implants. This group of symptoms is commonly referred to as breast implant illness, or BII.

Many breast implant patients ask, what is breast implant illness? Breast implant illness is a term that describes a variety of cognitive, musculoskeletal, and systemic symptoms reported by some individuals with breast implants. Understanding what breast implant illness is—and what it is not—can help patients make informed decisions about their health and treatment options.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Breast Implant Illness
• Commonly Reported Symptoms
• Why Breast Implant Illness Can Be Difficult to Diagnose
• What Does Current Research Say About Breast Implant Illness?
• Treatment Options for Breast Implant Illness
• Why Choose Dr. Philip Straka?
• En Bloc Capsulectomy

Understanding Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness is a condition characterized by a wide range of symptoms that may affect multiple body systems. Because these symptoms vary significantly between patients with breast implants and overlap with many other medical conditions, breast implant illness does not have a single diagnostic test or universally accepted definition.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), some breast augmentation patients with breast implants report systemic symptoms that they believe are related to their implants. Further research is ongoing to better understand possible associations involving inflammation and immune response.

Commonly Reported Symptoms

Patients who believe they may be experiencing breast implant illness often describe systemic symptoms such as:

• Persistent fatigue
• Chronic pain, including muscle pain or joint pain
• Autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Anxiety or mood changes
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal issues

Breast implant illness symptoms may appear months or even years after breast implant surgery. Some patients report a gradual onset, while others experience a more sudden change in their overall health.

Importantly, these systemic symptoms can also be associated with autoimmune disorders, hormonal changes, chronic stress, or other medical conditions. This makes careful evaluation essential.

Why Breast Implant Illness Can Be Difficult to Diagnose

One of the challenges in addressing breast implant illness is the absence of clear diagnostic criteria. There is no blood test, imaging study, biopsy, or other scientific evidence that confirms breast implant illness.

Instead, evaluation focuses on:

• A detailed medical history
• Review of implant type, placement, and surgical timeline
• Assessment of symptom patterns
• Ruling out other medical causes

This thoughtful process helps determine whether symptoms may reasonably be related to breast implants or whether further medical evaluation is needed.

What Does Current Research Say About Breast Implant Illness?

The ASPS recognizes that a subset of patients report symptoms they associate with their implants, and research in this area is ongoing.

It is also important to distinguish breast implant illness from other implant-related conditions, such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or rare conditions like breast implant–associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). These conditions are separate medical conditions that require different diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Treatment Options for Breast Implant Illness

For patients who believe their systemic symptoms may be related to their implants, breast implant removal is an option. Many women report improvement in symptoms following explant surgery.

Because there is no definitive test for breast implant illness, decisions about breast implant illness treatment should be made carefully, with a full understanding of the potential benefits, limitations, and surgical considerations.

Why Choose Dr. Philip Straka?

Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Philip Straka, is recognized as one of the top breast implant removal surgeons in the country, being one of only a small number of surgeons who have been performing en bloc breast implant removal surgery for nearly thirty years. His practice focuses exclusively on the treatment of those who desire removal of their breast implants for both medical and aesthetic reasons. Dr. Straka provides compassionate care for those patients suffering from breast implant illness (BII), and he is experienced and dedicated to complete capsulectomy and en bloc removal. 

En Bloc Capsulectomy 

Breast explant with capsulectomy involves removing the implant with its surrounding capsule. The implants and surrounding capsules are removed as a unit, with no holes or breaks in the capsules. This is referred to as an en bloc removal. En bloc is the goal for every explant procedure. If there are any other foreign bodies (sutures) or any evidence of a silicone rupture or leak, this is thoroughly cleaned and washed before the incision is closed. If the pectoralis muscle needs to be repaired, it is done at the time of the procedure. Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) can also be performed at the same time as implant removal.

Schedule Your Personalized Consultation

If you are experiencing systemic symptoms you believe may be related to your breast implants, a personalized consultation is the best place to start. Dr. Straka will take the time to listen to your concerns, review your medical history, and discuss whether breast implant removal may be appropriate for you. Dr. Straka offers both in-person and virtual consultations. To schedule your consultation, call our office at 281-540-8044 or complete our online contact form. Dr. Straka and his team are committed to helping you make informed, confident decisions about your health and well-being.