12 Jun 2026 | by Sean Doherty, MD, FACS
As a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in breast surgery, I have placed hundreds of breast implants over my nearly 15 years in practice. The vast majority of my breast augmentation and mastopexy augmentation patients have experienced no issues after surgery. However, a subset of women with implants develop what is commonly referred to as Breast Implant Illness (BII). While BII is not yet an official medical diagnosis, it is a very real concern for many women and can be challenging for both patients and physicians to navigate.
There is a great deal of information regarding Breast Implant Illness online, but much of it is misleading or false. When things are confusing, data and facts help provide clarity. It is important to understand what we know to date about Breast Implant Illness, as well as potential treatment options such as explant surgery to remove breast implants.
What Is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?
Breast Implant Illness is a term used to describe a condition in which a patient's breast implants may be making her sick. The estimated rate of BII is approximately 2-5%. One of the challenges surrounding BII is that symptoms vary widely and often overlap with other medical conditions, making diagnosis difficult.
Common Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Hormone issues
- Chest pain
- Hair loss
- Brain fog
- Sensitivity to light
- Chills
- Trouble sleeping
- Rash
- Chronic pain
- Body odor changes
- Neurological issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
Conditions That Can Mimic BII Symptoms
Many of the symptoms associated with Breast Implant Illness can also be caused by other known medical conditions, including:
- Chronic Pain Syndromes
- Autoimmune Disease
- Hormone Imbalances
- Menopause
- Thyroid Disorders
- Lyme Disease
Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, it is impossible to determine before breast augmentation whether a patient may eventually develop symptoms associated with BII.
What to Do If You Think You Have Breast Implant Illness
- If you believe your breast implants may be making you sick, begin by scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician. A comprehensive medical evaluation can help determine whether your symptoms may be caused by another condition such as a hormone imbalance, thyroid disorder, autoimmune disease, or other health issue.
- Once other possible causes have been investigated, schedule an in-person consultation with your original breast surgeon or another board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery.
- During your consultation, it is important that your concerns are heard and taken seriously. Every patient deserves a thoughtful discussion regarding her symptoms, concerns, and treatment options.
Explant Surgery for Breast Implant Illness
Explant surgery is the medical term for breast implant removal. If you have researched BII online, you have likely encountered discussions about removing implants "en bloc," which refers to removing the implant and surrounding capsule together as one unit.
- Whether an en bloc explant is the best approach depends on your unique anatomy, implant history, and treatment goals. This is something that should be discussed thoroughly during your consultation.
- Studies and patient reports suggest that approximately 85% of women who undergo implant removal for suspected Breast Implant Illness experience some improvement in their symptoms.
- Unfortunately, approximately 15% of women do not notice significant symptom improvement after implant removal, regardless of whether the procedure is performed en bloc or by another surgical technique.
- Removing breast implants may leave excess skin and tissue that can sometimes be improved with additional procedures such as a breast lift or fat grafting.
Additional Procedures After Explant Surgery
- During your consultation, a thorough physical examination can help determine whether additional procedures may be beneficial after implant removal.
- Many patients benefit from waiting three to six months after explant surgery before considering further procedures. This allows adequate time for healing and provides an opportunity to evaluate whether symptoms improve after implant removal.
- Procedures such as breast lift surgery or fat transfer can help restore breast shape, volume, and contour following explant surgery.
Making the Right Decision for Your Health
Choosing to remove your breast implants is a highly personal decision. If other potential contributing factors have been ruled out and you continue to experience symptoms that negatively impact your quality of life, discussing explant surgery with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon may be an important next step.
Every patient deserves honest information, compassionate care, and a personalized treatment plan designed around her unique circumstances and goals.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Sean Doherty
To learn more about Breast Implant Illness, breast implant removal, or other surgical and non-surgical procedures offered by Dr. Sean Doherty at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
