Breast Implant Illness: Separating Facts from Fiction in 2024 – What Every Woman Needs to Know

As breast augmentation continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, a growing number of women are reporting a constellation of symptoms they believe are connected to their implants. A number of patients and clinicians use the term “breast implant illness” or “BII” to describe a variety of systemic symptoms that have been reported following reconstruction or augmentation with breast implants. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, fatigue, problems with memory or concentration (“brain fog”), joint and muscle pain, hair loss, weight changes, anxiety, and depression. With the 2024 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recording 162,579 breast reconstruction procedures, a 3% increase over the previous year, and 26,600 implant removal surgeries, up 5% from 2023, it’s crucial to understand what science tells us about breast implant illness in 2024.

The Current Medical Understanding of BII

The most important fact to understand is that breast implant illness isn’t yet recognized as an official medical diagnosis, though this may change as research continues. The existence of BII as a distinct entity remains under debate. No evidence-based definition or universally accepted diagnostic criteria currently exist. This doesn’t mean the symptoms aren’t real – they absolutely are – but rather that the medical community is still working to understand the underlying mechanisms and establish standardized diagnostic criteria.

Currently, there aren’t any commonly used tests to diagnose breast implant illness. Instead, healthcare providers diagnose BII through a process of elimination, ruling out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. Because so many BII symptoms are associated with other conditions, it’s important to rule out causes unrelated to the breast implants. For example, many similar symptoms are associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Lyme disease. Hypothyroidism, menopause, and fibromyalgia also can cause symptoms similar to those of BII.

What the Latest Research Shows

Recent studies are providing valuable insights into the prevalence and outcomes of BII. According to a 2025 systematic review in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 81.9% of patients reported symptom improvement after implant removal, with an average reduction in symptoms of 55.1%. However, this suggests removal may help some patients, yet it does not guarantee relief for everyone.

Interestingly, some recent research challenges the assumption that implants are the sole cause of these symptoms. Regression analysis indicated age and rheumatoid history correlated with symptom severity, whereas breast implant augmentation was not a significant predictor. Age and preexisting rheumatoid conditions may influence symptoms more than breast augmentation.

Recognizing the Symptoms

People have reported more than 50 symptoms that impact their musculoskeletal system, ability to think and focus (cognitive symptoms) and overall body (systemic symptoms). The most commonly reported symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue and exhaustion
• Brain fog and memory issues
• Joint and muscle pain
• Hair loss and skin problems
• Anxiety and depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Recurring infections

The appearance of such symptoms has been reported with all types of breast implants regardless of filling, shape or surface characteristic, and the symptoms appear anywhere from right after implantation to years later. In cases where enough information was provided, the average time to onset was 5.6 years with a range of 0-42.5 years.

The Importance of Expert Care

If you’re experiencing symptoms you believe may be related to your breast implants, it’s essential to work with experienced professionals who understand both the medical complexities of BII and the surgical expertise required for safe implant removal. For women in Connecticut seeking expert care, Breast Augmentation Bridgeport patients have access to Dr. CS Kim’s comprehensive approach to breast surgery and implant-related concerns.

Dr. Kim is calm, clear, concise, and compassionate during your consultation and that continues on the day of the procedure. His practice, serving Fairfield County for over 30 years, emphasizes being committed to reconstructive surgery with the best possible functional and cosmetic results, capable of tailoring surgery to a patient’s specific needs and expectations.

Treatment Options and Outcomes

When conservative treatments don’t provide relief, surgeons usually treat breast implant illness with breast implant removal. The surgical approach often involves what’s called an “en bloc” removal, where the breast implant and capsule are removed as a unit. Several studies show improvement in symptoms almost immediately after implant removal. Relief may occur within the first 30 days after surgery.

However, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Although some patients report improvement or resolution of symptoms following removal of the implants, the cause of the symptoms and the degree to which they may be related to the implants are unclear at the current time.

Separating Facts from Fiction

In the age of social media, misinformation about BII can spread rapidly. While it can be comforting to find a community of people with similar symptoms as you, unfortunately, sometimes these channels help spread misinformation or unnecessary fear. Here are the key facts:

Fact: Breast Implant Illness, though not yet an official medical diagnosis, is real. Women are experiencing genuine symptoms that significantly impact their quality of life.

Fact: Thus far, there have been no reliable studies indicating a causal relationship between auto-immune diseases and breast implants. BII is still in its infancy so while there is more unknown than known, we are making progress.

Fiction: The myth that BII only affects certain types of implants. BII symptoms can occur in people with any type of breast implant, including silicone gel-filled, saline-filled, smooth surface, textured surface, round, or teardrop-shaped. BII symptoms can develop whether implants have ruptured or stayed intact.

The Path Forward

Research continues to be performed to better understand any potential association between these symptoms and breast implants. A BII task force has been established within The Aesthetic Society to conduct research and follow new breast implant patients for more than 10 years in hopes of establishing more definitive data and finding more answers for patients and providers.

For women considering breast augmentation or experiencing symptoms they believe may be related to existing implants, the key is to work with qualified professionals who stay current with the latest research and prioritize patient safety above all else.

Making Informed Decisions

Whether you’re considering breast augmentation or dealing with potential BII symptoms, the most important step is thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the complexities involved. The approach should be to listen and educate both doctor and patients. Whenever a potential patient comes in for a breast augmentation consultation, considerable time should be spent discussing and listening to medical history, family history, desired outcome and fears.

As we move forward in 2024 and beyond, continued research will help separate fact from fiction regarding breast implant illness. Until then, the focus should remain on patient safety, informed consent, and individualized care that takes each woman’s unique circumstances into account.