Breast Implant Illness : Causes & Symptoms & Cure

In 10 seconds, can you name 5 materials other than silicone or saline that have been injected into women’s boobs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to make them bigger?

Answer: 

Glass balls, wood chips, carved ivory, ox cartilage, even snake venom were just some of the unimaginable things used. The resulting complications are too disturbing to describe.

BREAST IMPLANTS IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Before the 1950s, some women injected silicone gel directly into their breasts – this procedure carried high risks and complications – hepatitis, lung embolism and even death. 

In the 20th century, breast implants with FDA-approved saline-filled or silicone gel remain one of the most common and popular plastic surgery procedures worldwide. There are complications though – the most common cases reported are breast pain, scar tissue formation, rupture and deflation.

It is also found that some women experience a complication of symptoms, known as Breast Implant Illness, or BII. If you are reading this, we know that you may be considering making your boobs bigger. Here’s what you should know about Breast Implant Illness – its causes, symptoms and the safer, better non-surgical treatment option for breast enlargement.

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a collection of unexplained symptoms that women can experience following cosmetic breast implants or reconstructive breast surgery with implants.

BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS CAUSES

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of breast implant illness. Though not as life-threatening as the crazy injectables used before the 20th century, still, they are associated with a wide range of potential health effects. 

Possible breast implant illness causes, include:

• Autoimmune or allergies to the materials used in breast implants, such as silicone
• Bacteria may grow on an implant surface and cause infection
• Reaction to the surgery used to insert breast implants

BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS SYMPTOMS 101

Breast implant illness symptoms can appear any time after implant surgery — some people start to develop breast implant illness symptoms immediately, while some develop them years later.

Symptoms of BII can vary from person to person. Women have reported more than 50 symptoms so far, that include: 

Musculoskeletal symptoms:

• Persistent joint and muscle pain
• Muscle weakness (myopathy)

Cognitive symptoms:

• Anxiety, depression and insomnia
• Brain fog
• Chronic fatigue and headaches
• Memory loss and poor memory 
• Trouble concentrating

Systemic symptoms:

• Autoimmune condition 
• Chronically dry mouth and eyes
• Chronic pain
• Dry eyes or low vision
• Hair loss
• Rashes and skin problems 
• Weight gain

BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS TREATMENT

As the exact cause of BII is unknown, there is no “cure” found to-date. If you’re experiencing symptoms that you believe may be related to your implants, it’s important to see your doctor. As of now, complete implant removal is the main breast implant illness treatment that is most likely to deliver long-term relief for otherwise unexplained symptoms.

LOOKING FOR NATURAL-LOOKING BREAST ENHANCEMENTS, MINUS ALL THE COMPLICATIONS IN BREAST IMPLANTS?

Breast implants for breast enlargement are not so safe, so to speak, with many unexplained symptoms arising post-surgery. A safer alternative for breast enhancement is by injection of fillers with hyaluronic acid (HA), for breasts that are shapelier, less sagging yet appear and feel very natural. No operation is necessary as mentioned above, and your breast can be enlarged by up to one cup size. 

It is safe and even if you are not pleased with the effects of it, a simple injection of an enzyme will digest the filler, removing it from your breast. Also, there are no risks of breast implant illnesses too!

If you are seeking any treatment related to BREAST AUGMENTATION, you may visit us at our Bangsar, TTDI, Mont Kiara, Puchong and KL City branch or call us at +6012-662 5552 to make an appointment with our doctors.

References

• https://premier-clinic.com/our-services/breast-augmentation/
• https://drcarmen.com.au/blogs/history-of-breast-implants-and-origins-of-breast-enlargement-surgery/
• https://www.kansascitysurgicalarts.com/uncategorized/fun-facts-breasts-breast-augmentation/
• https://www.brooksplasticsurgery.com/blog/how-to-know-if-you-have-breast-implant-illness
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23366-breast-implant-illness
• https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-is-breast-implant-illness
• https://doctornir.com/what-are-the-chances-of-getting-breast-implant-illness/
• https://utswmed.org/medblog/breast-implant-illness/