Treatment Options for Breast Implant Illness

Explantation

Explantation, or the surgical removal of breast implants, is often considered the primary treatment for BII. This may include:

• Complete removal of implants

• Capsulectomy (removal of the surrounding scar tissue)

• En bloc capsulectomy (removal of implants and capsule as one unit)

Many women report improvement in symptoms following explantation, though results can vary.

Medical Management

Depending on specific symptoms, medical management may include:

• Pain management strategies

• Treatment for autoimmune-like symptoms

• Hormonal therapy

• Medications for specific symptoms (e.g., antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs)

Complementary Therapies

Some individuals find relief through complementary approaches:

• Dietary changes and nutritional support

• Detoxification protocols (under medical supervision)

• Stress reduction techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga)

• Acupuncture

• Physical therapy

Post-Explantation Care

After explant surgery, focus on:

• Proper wound care and follow-up with your surgeon

• Monitoring for symptom improvements

• Continued support for detoxification and healing

• Emotional support and counseling if needed

Success Stories

Many women report significant improvement in their symptoms after explantation. Read some success stories from our community:

Read Success Stories

Important Note

Treatment should be personalized based on individual symptoms and health status. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before starting any treatment regimen.

© 2023 BII Awareness. All rights reserved.

Treatment Options for Breast Implant Illness: A Comprehensive Guide to Explantation and Supportive Therapies

Breast Implant Illness (BII) remains a challenging condition that lacks official diagnostic criteria, yet many patients report significant improvement following appropriate treatments. This report explores the range of treatment options available for individuals experiencing BII symptoms, from surgical interventions to complementary approaches that support recovery and healing. As our understanding of BII continues to evolve, treatment protocols are becoming more refined, offering hope to those affected by this complex condition.

Surgical Interventions: Explantation Approaches

The primary and most effective treatment for Breast Implant Illness is surgical removal of the implants, known as explantation. This procedure represents the cornerstone of BII treatment, with multiple studies demonstrating significant symptom improvement following implant removal. However, there are several different approaches to explantation, each with their own considerations and potential benefits.

Types of Explantation Procedures

There are three main surgical approaches for addressing BII through explantation. The simplest is direct breast implant removal, which involves the straightforward extraction of the implants themselves. This approach minimizes surgical complexity but leaves behind the capsule tissue that forms around implants as part of the body's natural response to foreign objects1.

A more comprehensive option is breast implant removal with capsulectomy, which addresses both the implants and the surrounding scar tissue capsule. This approach removes potential sources of continued inflammation and immune response that may be contributing to symptoms. By eliminating both the implant and the reactive tissue that surrounds it, this method aims to more completely address potential triggers of BII symptoms1.

The third and most extensive approach is en bloc breast implant and capsule removal. In this technique, surgeons remove the breast implant and the entire capsule as one intact unit, without breaking the capsule open. This method requires a larger incision, resulting in a more noticeable scar, but is preferred by many patients and support groups due to its thoroughness in removing all potentially problematic tissue without risking contamination from implant materials18.

Despite differences in surgical technique, some research suggests that there hasn't been a documented difference in outcomes or symptom improvement among these three procedures. However, patient preference often leans toward more complete removal approaches, particularly the en bloc technique, due to the comprehensive nature of the removal process1.

Effectiveness of Explantation

Clinical evidence strongly supports the effectiveness of explantation in alleviating BII symptoms. A retrospective study involving 750 patients who underwent explantation found that the mean preoperative symptom survey score of 26.19 decreased significantly to 9.49 within the first 30 days after surgery, with this improvement maintained beyond the 30-day mark (9.46)3. These findings demonstrate both immediate and sustained relief following implant removal.

Another study reported even more dramatic results, with 96% of patients experiencing improved or complete resolution of their systemic symptoms after implant removal and total capsulectomy5. This remarkably high success rate highlights the potential of explantation as an effective intervention for those suffering from BII.

A large prospective cohort study with 109 patients completing both pre- and post-operative assessments showed significant decreases in all individual symptom scores and summary scores after explantation. Additionally, all subdomains of the SF-36 quality of life assessment showed significant improvement postoperatively, as did the satisfaction with breasts subdomain of the BREAST-Q assessment7. This comprehensive improvement across multiple measurement tools provides strong evidence for explantation's effectiveness.

Post-Explantation Reconstructive Options

Following explantation, many patients face decisions about breast appearance and reconstruction. For those concerned about aesthetic outcomes after implant removal, several reconstructive options exist to help restore breast appearance and confidence.

Breast Lift and Reshaping Techniques

Many surgeons recommend including a breast lift (mastopexy) during or after the explantation procedure. This technique helps tighten the breast tissue, allowing the breasts to maintain a perky and youthful appearance even without implants12. The mastopexy addresses the potential skin laxity that may result from the removal of implants, particularly in patients who have had larger implants or who have had them for many years.

The specific approach to breast lifting and reshaping varies based on the individual's anatomy, the size of their implants, and their desired post-explantation appearance. For some patients, the goal may be a natural look that simply restores their pre-implant contours, while others may desire more significant reshaping to address changes that have occurred over time.

Non-Surgical Supportive Treatments

While explantation remains the primary intervention for BII, many practitioners recognize the importance of supportive therapies in managing symptoms and promoting recovery, especially for patients with persistent symptoms after implant removal.

Functional Medicine Approaches

Functional medicine offers a comprehensive approach to BII treatment, focusing on addressing underlying imbalances and supporting the body's natural healing processes. These approaches can be valuable both before surgery to prepare the body for explantation and afterward to support continued healing and symptom resolution.

A functional medicine approach to BII typically includes anti-inflammatory nutrition protocols, gut support strategies, and targeted interventions to address any underlying health issues that may be contributing to symptoms or impeding recovery15. By taking this systemic approach, functional medicine practitioners aim to create an optimal internal environment for healing.

Immune support represents a key component of functional medicine treatment for BII. Since many BII symptoms appear to be related to immune dysregulation or chronic inflammation, therapies focused on reducing inflammation and supporting healthy immune function can be particularly beneficial. These interventions aim to rebuild immune resilience and restore normal immune responses following the removal of the implants11.

Regenerative Therapies

Some specialized BII treatment centers offer regenerative therapies as complementary approaches alongside surgical interventions. One such therapy is TruDose, an advanced blood therapy based on each patient's unique biological factors. This treatment leverages information about the patient's platelet baseline to determine optimal platelet levels for therapeutic benefit4.

Regenerative approaches like these aim to support the body's natural healing processes and may help address ongoing inflammation or tissue damage that persists after implant removal. By providing targeted support for tissue regeneration and repair, these therapies may enhance surgical outcomes and promote more complete symptom resolution.

Personalized Medical Treatment Protocols

Medical experts emphasize that effective BII treatment often requires individualized approaches tailored to each patient's specific symptoms and underlying health status. As Dr. Tervaert's research indicates, patients who develop established autoimmune disease related to their breast implants or who experience more severe symptoms may require additional medical treatment beyond capsulectomy alone10.

Dr. Tania Dempsey, a physician specializing in BII treatment, notes that "Every patient is different, and some patients will need mast cell targeted therapy to get better, but others might need detox and/or dietary changes and/or gut healing and/or antibiotics and/or herbs, and/or other treatment." This personalized approach recognizes the complex, multisystem nature of BII and the need for treatments that address each patient's unique presentation10.

Naturopathic Interventions

Naturopathic medicine offers another complementary approach to BII treatment. One case report documented the naturopathic treatment of a 35-year-old female patient with BII symptoms including fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and chronic anxiety attributed to her textured cohesive gel implants. The naturopathic treatment, provided over a 3-month period alongside prescribed medication, resulted in reduced anxiety, fatigue, and self-reported pain2.

Naturopathic interventions typically focus on supporting the body's innate healing abilities through dietary modifications, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, and lifestyle changes. These approaches can be particularly valuable for addressing lingering symptoms that persist despite implant removal.

Treatment Considerations and Expectations

Timeline for Symptom Improvement

While many patients experience rapid improvement following explantation, the timeline for symptom resolution varies considerably between individuals. Some patients report immediate relief of certain symptoms upon waking from surgery, while others experience gradual improvement over weeks or months. Still others may require ongoing supportive treatments to achieve complete symptom resolution.

Research indicates that significant symptom improvement often occurs within the first 30 days after explantation, with this improvement maintained or even enhanced over longer follow-up periods3. However, patients should be prepared for the possibility that some symptoms may persist longer than others, necessitating patience and potentially additional interventions beyond the initial explantation.

Addressing Underlying Factors

For optimal outcomes, treatment approaches should address potential underlying factors that may have contributed to BII or that could impede recovery. These may include immune dysfunction, mast cell activation, chronic infections, mold or mycotoxin exposure, gut microbiome imbalances, hormone disruption, or chronic stress10.

Comprehensive BII treatment involves identifying these contributing factors through detailed medical evaluation and then developing targeted interventions to address each one. This approach recognizes BII as a complex condition with multiple potential drivers rather than a simple reaction to implants alone.

Future Directions in BII Treatment

As understanding of BII continues to evolve, treatment approaches are likely to become increasingly refined and effective. Ongoing research into the mechanisms underlying BII may lead to new therapeutic targets and more precise interventions.

The development of standardized diagnostic criteria for BII would also facilitate more consistent treatment approaches and better evaluation of treatment outcomes. Although BII is not yet recognized as an official medical diagnosis, growing awareness and research attention may eventually lead to formal recognition and dedicated treatment protocols13.

Conclusion

Treatment for Breast Implant Illness encompasses a range of approaches, with explantation serving as the primary intervention for most patients. The choice between simple implant removal, implant removal with capsulectomy, or en bloc removal should be made in consultation with a knowledgeable surgeon based on individual circumstances and preferences.

For many patients, explantation results in significant symptom improvement, often beginning within the first month after surgery. However, some individuals may require additional supportive treatments to achieve complete symptom resolution. These may include functional medicine approaches, regenerative therapies, personalized medical treatments, or naturopathic interventions.

The optimal treatment approach recognizes the complex, multisystem nature of BII and addresses potential underlying factors that may contribute to symptoms. By combining appropriate surgical interventions with targeted supportive therapies, many patients with BII can experience substantial improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.

As research continues and clinical experience with BII grows, treatment approaches will likely become increasingly refined, offering hope to the many individuals affected by this challenging condition. For those currently experiencing BII symptoms, consultation with healthcare providers knowledgeable about the condition represents an essential first step toward finding effective treatment and relief.

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BII Symptoms

Common Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness

While symptoms can vary from person to person, many individuals with BII report experiencing a combination of the following:

• Fatigue and weakness

• Joint and muscle pain

• Cognitive issues (brain fog, memory problems)

• Hair loss and skin problems

• Gastrointestinal issues

• Anxiety and depression

• Hormonal imbalances

• Autoimmune-like symptoms

• Sleep disturbances

• Headaches

Symptom Tracker

Keeping track of your symptoms can be crucial for both personal health management and medical consultations. We recommend using our symptom tracker tool:

Use Symptom Tracker

Symptom Diary Guide

Maintaining a symptom diary can provide valuable insights. Here's how to keep an effective symptom diary:

1. Record the date and time of each symptom occurrence

2. Describe the symptom in detail (intensity, duration, etc.)

3. Note any potential triggers or circumstances

4. Track your diet, sleep, and stress levels

5. Include any medications or treatments you're using

Important Note

While these symptoms are commonly reported by individuals with breast implants, they can also be associated with other medical conditions. It's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

© 2023 BII Awareness. All rights reserved.