The concern of breast implant illness (BII) has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and it is a motivating factor for many women who choose to get their breast implants removed. BII is the term used for a variety of symptoms many women believe may be related to having saline or silicone breast implants. While there has not been any scientific evidence that directly links breast implants with BII, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Neil J. Zemmel, understands that the symptoms felt by women are very real and should be addressed.
Whether you feel chronically lethargic, have recurring joint pain, get rashes, suffer from anxiety, have depression, or are experiencing another health concern, some women seek breast implant removal as an attempt to get relief from their unexplained symptoms. Dr. Zemmel performs explantation surgery using the en bloc technique, which means the surrounding capsule of scar tissue is removed with the breast implant still inside (rather than opening the capsule to remove the implant separately). He says that some patients report feeling a reduction in their symptoms after implant removal, and even for those who don’t, he notes they often feel happier to no longer have the concern of BII.
Since there haven’t been any studies proving that breast implants cause systemic issues, Dr. Zemmel advises that removing them brings no guarantees of relief from these problems. However, he encourages those worried they may have breast implant illness to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn about their options. Breast implant removal is often a viable option for those wanting to return to their natural breast size, and discover whether their implants may be contributing to their health concerns.
If you would like more information about breast explant surgery, or are ready to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery.
