Breasts

Breast Implant Illness. Is It Real?

Breast Implant Illness, or BII, is a topic of real interest and sometimes, even intense debate, on social media for women across the country. Women with BII symptoms report problems immediately after having breast implants (some, years later) ranging from:

  • joint or muscle pain
  • unexplained fatigue
  • hair loss
  • headaches
  • brain fog/concentration
  • rashes and skin problems
  • sleep disturbance
  • anxiety/depression
  • among others

Real Progress.

Over 400,000 women in America have breast implants every year (300,000 for cosmetic reasons and 100,000 for reconstruction). The number of women who have experienced BII symptoms represents a very small fraction of that total, and BII is still not a recognized medical condition in terms of diagnosis.

However, women who have experienced BII symptoms are sharing their stories and experiences on Facebook and online communities. An advocacy group has growing support for BII to be recognized as a medical condition. Researchers, plastic surgeons, and professional medical organizations and the FDA* are all closely monitoring the issues through numerous studies.

Many women have reported improvement of their symptoms once their implants are removed. It is important to seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with these issues, one who takes your concerns seriously and is not dismissive about the symptoms you are experiencing. Don’t automatically assume that the surgeon who placed your implants is the one you should choose to remove them.

Dr. Lucas has been a board-certified surgeon for nineteen years with extensive experience in breast augmentation, as well as removing breast implants. In the same implant removal procedure, he can perform breast lifts and fat grafting to offer aesthetically pleasing outcomes for his patients.

Real Beauty.

Our patients at The Lucas Center know that we believe every human body has real beauty, that when accentuated, creates real confidence. Everything we do is toward that goal for our patients. And even though the medical profession has not officially recognized a diagnosis for BII, if BII is a matter of real concern to a patient, it is a matter of real importance to our practice.

Dr. Lucas is happy to consult with you, offer expert advice and personalized answers to all of your questions about BII or any question you have about breast augmentation. Contact us online or call (865) 218-6210 to schedule your consultation today.

*According to the FDA, the risks of complications or adverse outcomes due to breast implants is around 1%.

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