What Patients Need to Know About Breast Implant Illness

Even though the breast augmentation procedure has been cleared by multiple research organizations and medical governing bodies, some patients do experience complications following that operation. Quite a bit of data still needs to be collected on the subject, but many people believe that silicone implants can create an issue known as breast implant illness. That unique health complication manifests itself in many different ways, and the symptoms can have a major impact on a patient’s quality of life. If you have silicone implants, then you should spend a little bit of time learning about this illness so that you can keep an eye out for the early warning signs. 

Potential Complications

One of the reasons why more research needs to be done on this illness is because every patient has a slightly different experience. Some of the most common symptoms and complications include chronic headaches, hair loss, chills, and gastrointestinal distress. Patients can also struggle with emotional and psychological problems ranging from brain fog to depression. If you have noticed any unusual physical or emotional problems after getting implants, then you need to speak with a surgeon about the silicone implant removal procedure. That personalized operation will help you restore the appearance of your chest and potentially avoid those unwanted complications. 

How Are the Implants Removed?

What takes place during your silicone implant removal procedure is going to depend on a few different factors. That includes the placement of the initial incisions, the size of the implants, and what type of restorative procedure you would like to carry out. In most cases, the surgeon will attempt to use the same incisions to remove the implants to minimize scar tissue. Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible if the implants have shifted or the original incisions were placed in unusual locations. 

Once the incisions have been created, the surgeon will carefully remove the silicone shell and any nearby scar tissue on the inside of each breast. The next step in the process depends on the patient’s preference. Some patients decide to have the silicone implants replaced with saline implants. At the very least, you will most likely want to have a small breast lift carried out so that the remaining breast tissue sits higher on the chest. Another option that a patient might want to consider is augmenting the breasts with their own fat that has been extracted from other areas of the body. 

Post-Op Instructions

Just like any other major operation, you must be prepared to spend at least a little bit of time relaxing in bed following your implant removal procedure. Immediately after the operation, your surgeon is going to place gauze and bandages over the breasts to protect and support them. You will probably need to spend at least a day or two in bed, and a loved one should be nearby to help you out. As long as you are relatively healthy and don’t have a strenuous job, you might be able to return back to work within two or three days. Most patients claim that recovering from the removal procedure is much easier than recovering from the initial augmentation. 

While you are going to have some swelling and discoloration, those side effects can be minimized with a high-quality support bra. Your surgeon can also give you full instructions on what you can do to deal with your discomfort. By the third or fourth week, the side effects should be completely gone. That is when you will be able to exercise and resume all other activities.