In recent years, a phenomenon known as breast implant illness (BII) has gained attention, although it doesn’t yet have formal diagnostic criteria. We spoke with Britney Pollock, a 34-year-old teacher from California, who experienced this firsthand after getting breast implants in 2016 at the age of 26.
“When I first got the implants, I felt awesome,” Pollock recalls, describing how confident she felt about her appearance. However, by 2019, her life took a turn as she began to experience a slew of baffling health issues. “I started getting randomly sick and I couldn’t figure out why,” she explained. She listed symptoms including joint and muscle pain, brain fog, migraines, vision problems, and unusual rashes. The unpredictability of her symptoms kept her in a constant state of uncertainty—some days she could go out, while other days she had to call in sick or cancel plans.
After consulting multiple specialists, a rheumatologist at UCLA suggested that Pollock’s symptoms might be linked to an autoimmune response triggered by her implants. The doctor noted that while removing the implants might not completely resolve her health issues, it could potentially alleviate her symptoms.
Pollock underwent the explant surgery in September 2023, and since then she has noticed significant changes. “Generally, I feel a bit better, and mentally, it feels good that they’re not inside me anymore, doing possible damage,” she said.
Pollock’s experience highlights an ongoing conversation about BII, a term gaining traction on social media but still not widely recognized by the medical community. Dr. Brian Buinewicz, a plastic surgeon practicing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, describes BII as a form of autoimmune dysfunction marked by “chronic, low-level inflammation” potentially caused by breast implants. His research identified symptoms ranging from fatigue and anxiety to vision changes and gastrointestinal issues among a cohort of 248 participants.
One of the concerning aspects of this phenomenon is the association between implant type and inflammation. Buinewicz noted that textured silicone implants appeared to pose a higher risk, but patients with all types of implants reported symptoms and experienced relief following explantation.
Despite this, the actual mechanisms behind why some individuals develop BII remain unclear. Buinewicz theorizes that the materials used in implants may play a role, particularly for those with existing sensitivities or allergies. Another theory suggests that low-grade bacterial infections related to implants could be linked to BII, although more research is needed to clarify these connections.
In response to growing concerns, the FDA in 2021 implemented stricter regulations on breast implants, mandating healthcare providers to inform patients about the potential systemic symptoms linked to implants, which could affect multiple organ systems.
Though many women with implants do not experience adverse symptoms, Dr. Andrea Pusic, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, emphasizes that medical professionals should still explore other causes of autoimmune symptoms before attributing them to implants. “We believe these women, but there is still much we don’t understand about causality,” she explains. Factors like anxiety, depression, and menopause might also contribute to similar symptoms, complicating the diagnosis.
Moreover, the intersection of mental health and physical symptoms in cases of BII cannot be overlooked. Dr. Tameca Harris-Jackson, a clinical social worker in Florida, highlights how societal pressures related to body image can impact both physical and mental health. She suggests that individuals experiencing symptoms document their mental and physical health timelines around the time of their procedures to gain insights into their conditions.
As the debate surrounding BII continues, the medical community is also exploring the potential benefits of explantation. Research suggests that removal of implants and surrounding scar tissue may lead to relief for some patients, with studies indicating high satisfaction rates after surgery. However, this isn’t a guaranteed solution, as Pollock and others have experienced lingering symptoms even after their explant surgeries.
In the end, the journey through BII is deeply personal and complex, with many women like Pollock still navigating the implications of their experiences.
