BII - BREAST IMPLANT ILLNESS - Illness due to breast implants
BII / Breast Implant Illness
Krank durch Brustimplantate
When the body fights back - What is BII (Breast Implant Illness)?
In recent years, I have seen more and more patients who report a variety of non-specific, stressful symptoms after breast augmentation or breast reconstruction: chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, concentration problems, mood swings, skin changes, cardiac arrhythmia and much more. These symptoms often only occur years after implantation - and remain medically unexplained for a long time.
Many of these women have a long odyssey behind them, with countless visits to the doctor, blood tests and diagnoses that do not reveal a clear cause. Some are not taken seriously, others are put off. And time and time again I experience that it is only when the implants are removed that the general condition often improves significantly - sometimes after just a few days. In such cases, we speak of Breast Implant Illness, or BII for short.
On this page I would like to provide you with comprehensive information about BII:
... what can be behind it, which symptoms are typical, how a diagnosis is possible and which treatment methods have proven successful in my practice. Perhaps you will find yourself in the experiences I have described - or perhaps you are simply looking for guidance. I invite you to take your time to look around.
BII is not yet an officially recognized disease.
And yet the suffering of those affected is real.
As a doctor, I see it as my job to look closely, listen and classify individual connections - even where science cannot yet provide conclusive answers. I treat every patient with respect, openness and the awareness that physical and mental health are inextricably linked.
I know how stressful it is when your own body no longer functions as usual, fatigue and pain characterize everyday life and uncertainty is constantly present. Even though Breast Implant Illness (BII) is not yet an officially recognized disease, I take these experiences very seriously.
An interesting scientific publication on "Breast Implant Associated Disease:
There is an interesting scientific publication on the subject of “Breast implant-associated diseases” by:
JULIAN PÖTSCHKE, OLIVER THAMM, UWE V. FRITSCHEN, ALBA FRICKE, IRENE RICHTER-HEINE, ULRICH KNESER, SUSANNE REIN, THOMAS KREMER
… to the PDF of the scientific publication »
What is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?
What happens in the body? Unter Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a complex reaction of the body to breast implants. It is not a clearly defined disease, but rather an interplay of various immunological and inflammatory processes that can occur in some women. To date, medicine has no clear laboratory values or imaging procedures that can reliably detect BII. Nevertheless, scientific observations show that there may be connections between certain types of implants, an individual immune reaction and chronic complaints. In my practice, I see BII as a serious health problem that requires careful clarification and individual consideration. My aim is to understand the underlying mechanisms and work with you to find the best possible treatment strategy.Causes and medical background of Breast Implant Illness BII
Why some women react to breast implants with sometimes severe symptoms has not yet been fully clarified scientifically. However, there are plausible explanations that I follow closely in my work and include in my individual advice.
One possible trigger is the reaction of the immune system on the implant as a foreign body. This can lead to so-called silent inflammation in the body, which may go unnoticed for a long time but can cause a variety of symptoms. Gel “bleed” - the slow leakage of tiny amounts of silicone through the intact implant shell - is also discussed as a possible irritant factor.
Another explanation is the so-called ASIA syndrome (Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants). This describes an excessive immune reaction to certain substances such as silicone or other filling materials, which can trigger autoimmune processes in genetically susceptible individuals.
Not every woman with breast implants develops symptoms. Why some are affected and others are not probably has to do with individual dispositions, immunological factors and environmental influences.
I see it as my job to make these complex relationships understandable - without panic, but with clarity. Because only with honest information can we make decisions together that really benefit your health.
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Typical symptoms and complaints with BII
Women who suffer from BII describe a variety of different symptoms. These affect not only the breast area, but the entire body. Several symptoms often occur at the same time, which makes diagnosis difficult.
- Chronic fatigue: persistent exhaustion despite sufficient rest periods
- Joint and muscle pain: Diffuse pain without a clearly identifiable cause
- Cognitive limitations: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems (“brain fog”)
- Hormonal changes: Cycle disorders, thyroid problems
- Skin reactions: Rashes, redness, itching
- Digestive complaints: Flatulence, food intolerances
- Neurological symptoms: tingling, numbness, headaches
Not every woman develops all of these symptoms, and their severity can vary greatly. It is precisely this individual diversity that often leads to BII remaining undetected for a long time.
As a treating physician, it is important to me to take a holistic approach to your symptoms and take them seriously - even if they do not fit into a classic clinical picture. This is the only way we can work together to find the right way to sustainably improve your health.
Diagnostic pathway - Why BII is often overlookeds BII
It is difficult to make a clear diagnosis of Breast Implant Illness because there are no specific tests or clear laboratory values. Many of my patients have already been to a number of doctors before they come to see me - often with different findings, but without a clear cause for their symptoms.
In my practice, I therefore take a lot of time to carefully record your entire medical history, your symptoms and your previous examinations. We carry out targeted blood tests and imaging to rule out other illnesses and obtain a comprehensive picture of your health.
It is important to me to take a holistic approach, taking into account not only the breast implants, but also your immune system, hormonal factors and any accompanying illnesses. This is the only way we can make an informed decision together as to whether it makes medical sense to remove the implants and what further steps are necessary to improve your well-being in the long te
Treatment options - explantation and en bloc resection
If the symptoms persist despite other measures and a connection with the breast implants is likely, removing the implants can be an important opportunity to improve your health
In my practice, I offer the so-called en bloc resection. This involves removing the implant and the surrounding capsule in one piece. This method has the advantage that as little residue as possible remains in the tissue, which could continue to trigger an immune reaction.
Depending on the initial findings, I combine the procedure with additional techniques to aesthetically harmonize the shape of the breast after removal - for example, using the patient's own tissue or tightening procedures. The aim is not only to alleviate discomfort, but also to achieve a natural, balanced result with which you can feel comfortable again
We always make the decision for an operation together and well-informed. It is very important to me that you fully understand the advantages and disadvantages, possible risks and the procedure before you decide to take this step.
Explantation and en bloc resection
Breast Implant Illness is not yet an officially recognized disease. This means that there is still no standardized medical definition and no clear diagnostic criteria. Nevertheless, international specialist societies confirm that more and more women are developing systemic complaints after breast implants that cannot be explained by local complications alone.
In a recent statement, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) points out that many patients experience a significant improvement in their symptoms after the removal of their implants - regardless of whether the surrounding capsule has been completely removed or not. At the same time, ISAPS emphasizes that the frequently used term “en bloc resection” actually originates from tumor surgery and is not always technically precise.
The scientific debate is therefore still ongoing. For me, it is crucial that my patients' experiences are taken seriously, that we take current studies and recommendations into account and that we make each decision on an individual and medically sound basis.
Details on the topics:
Breast implant removal / en bloc resection
If you would like to find out more about how I remove breast implants safely and gently and why I prefer en bloc resection in many cases, I would like to invite you to visit my page on breast implant removal and en bloc resection for more information.
… more about “Breast implant removal »
… more about En Bloc Resection »
FAQ ... Questions and answers about BII
1. Does health insurance cover the costs of removing breast implants for BII?
Statutory health insurance companies do not generally cover the costs of removing breast implants if they were originally inserted for aesthetic reasons - not even in the case of complaints or suspected breast implant illness. Exceptions are only made in the case of verifiable medical complications or if the implants were inserted as part of a medically necessary breast reconstruction. Private follow-up cost insurance is recommended to cover such risks and should be taken out before the procedure.
2. Does Breast Implant Illness only occur with certain types of implants (silicone or saline)?
No, symptoms can occur with different implant types - regardless of whether silicone or saline solution was used. According to current knowledge, shape, size or manufacturer do not appear to offer any reliable protection against BII.
3. is there an increased risk of cancer with Breast Implant Illness?
BII itself is not classified as a cancer. However, there is a very rare form of lymphatic cancer (BIA-ALCL) that is associated with certain implants. In my consultation, I talk openly about these risks and recommend the appropriate preventive measures.
4. do the symptoms always disappear completely after removal of the implants?
Many women report a significant improvement or even a disappearance of their symptoms after removal. However, as BII varies from person to person, I cannot give any guarantees. Together we will discuss realistic expectations and possible follow-up treatments.
5. How long does recovery take after an en bloc resection?
The initial healing phase usually takes two to three weeks. It can take several months for swelling and scars to heal completely and for your body to stabilize. I will accompany you closely through all phases of recovery.
6. Can I have my breast shape restored after an implant removal?
Yes, depending on the initial findings, there are various options for shaping the breast naturally - for example with autologous tissue (lipofilling) or lifting procedures. We will discuss together which solution is best for you.
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