But that’s just the start-up fee. Add to that the potential cost of having to remove them, replace them, and treat the many illnesses the surgery may cause. Looking for a breast implant illness doctor in Tampa, FL?
That’s when the financial cost can soar to the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per patient. Not to mention the pain and suffering of those who have negative experiences.
For many years, plastic surgeons have justified their support for breast implants based on the dubious claim that there was insufficient evidence linking implants to any serious health conditions.
But the basis for their argument is starting to erode as more and more studies reveal the truth — that breast implants are not only big business but risky business.
In this post, we discuss the health risks and explain what we offer to help women who are dealing with the health fallout from their breast implants.
Toxins in Breast Implants
The underlying problem with breast implants is that they contain toxic chemicals that are released into the body over time. These chemicals include the following:
These chemicals are present regardless of whether the implants are filled with plastic silicone gel or a saline solution (sterile salt water).
The outer shell of both types consists of silicone. Implants filled with silicone gel pose a greater risk because if the shell suffers a break or tear, the gel enters the body.
Illnesses and Complications Associated with Breast Implants
A growing body of evidence links breast implants to a variety of medical conditions, including the following:
- Breast implant illness (BII): The chemicals in breast implants disrupt normal cellular processes and trigger a low-level immune response. (See our previous post, “Do You Suffer from Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness.”) Symptoms include:
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- Fatigue/low energy
- Joint/muscle pain
- Cognitive deficits such as poor memory and concentration and/or “brain fog”
- Breathing difficulties
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Digestive issues
- Unexplained skin rashes
- Persistent and recurring headaches
- Hair loss
- Weight fluctuations
- Recurring infections
- Autoimmune diseases: The toxins in breast implants can trigger autoimmunity — a condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissues, mistakenly identifying them as a threat. Breast implants have been linked to a significantly elevated risk of developing autoimmune disorders such as these:
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- Fibromyalgia
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Cancer: Breast implants are associated with a specific type of cancer called breast implant-associated lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) — a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s usually localized to the scar tissue and fluid surrounding the implant, but it has the potential to spread.
- Possible complications: In addition to certain illnesses, complications can arise long after implant surgery, such as the following:
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- Infection: Implants have the potential for harboring bacteria, viruses, and fungi, any of which can trigger a systemic infection or remain in a dormant state and affect your health in more subtle ways that are often difficult to diagnose.
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- Calcium deposits: The breast tissue around an implant is susceptible to calcification, which can result in hard lumps below the skin. These lumps are sometimes mistaken for tumors, which can lead to unnecessary surgeries.
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- Capsular contracture: The tissue capsule surrounding the implant can tighten, resulting in hardening of the tissue, movement of the implant, and/or asymmetry of the breast.
Diagnosing and Treating Suspected Breast Implant-related Conditions
Here at BioDesign Wellness Center, we don’t assume symptoms a patient with breast implants is experiencing are caused by the implants.
Many symptoms of BII, for example, overlap with symptoms caused by mold exposure, low thyroid, hormonal imbalances, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Symptoms could also be related to prior bacteria, viral, or fungal infections that have long gone dormant since the initial infection. Or they may be linked to toxins that have nothing to do with breast implants.
The first step is to rule out other possible causes, which we do by testing for and treating, if necessary, low thyroid, hormone imbalances, mold exposure, hidden infections, and any other conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms.
If your symptoms persist after addressing these other possibilities, then we can reasonably conclude that the root cause of your symptoms is the breast implants. The next step is to consult a plastic surgeon with experience in the safe removal of breast implants (a surgical procedure known as breast explant surgery). One such practice in the Tampa Bay area is the Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery.
After your implants have been safely removed, we recommend a 60-day gentle detoxification protocol to strengthen the body and build resilience. After years of toxicity and health struggles, many women also benefit from hormone replacement therapy (with natural, bio-identical hormones), dietary modifications, and vitamin therapies to boost immunity.
If you have breast implants (saline or silicone) and are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this post, or if you are concerned about the health implications of your implants and want to get checked out, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with a functional medicine practice. If you’re in the Tampa, Florida, area, contact us to schedule your consultation.
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Disclaimer: The information in this blog post recovering from breast implants is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect current medical thinking or practices. No information contained in this post should be construed as medical advice from the medical staff at BioDesign Wellness Center, Inc., nor is this post intended to be a substitute for medical counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this post without seeking the appropriate medical advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a licensed medical professional in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.