BREAST IMPLANT SYMPTOMS - Healing Breast Implant Illness

Symptoms

The earlier breast implant symptoms, as reported by over 150,000 women in the Facebook group Breast Implant Illness and Healing By Nicole are fatigue, cognitive problems, headaches, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, recurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, IBS, problems with thyroid and adrenals and autoimmune symptoms. Because breast implants can affect most body systems, symptoms are widespread and can be related to chemical toxicity, biotoxicity, immune dysfunction, auto-immune symptoms, neurological symptoms, endocrine symptoms and metabolic symptoms. Below, is a longer list of breast implant symptoms consistently reported by women of the group and which are associated with breast implants. Once you recognize yourself in breast implant symptoms, it is best to stop wasting precious time and money on testing and misdiagnosis and go straight to explant.

Symptoms Consistently Reported by Women

Fatigue
Brain fog, memory loss
Muscle pain and weakness
Joint pain of neck, shoulder, back, hip, knees, hands/feet
Hair loss, dry hair
Premature aging of the skin
Skin itching, various rashes
Inflammation
Weight problems
Insomnia and poor sleep
Dry eyes, decline in vision
Hypothyroid
Adrenal fatigue
Parathyroid problems
Diminishing hormones, early menopause
Low libido
Slow healing, easy bruising
Slow recovery after exercising
Vertigo
Headaches, migraines, ocular migraines
Throat clearing, cough, difficulty swallowing, choking
Reflux, GERD
Nausea, gastritis, leaky gut, SIBO
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fevers, nightsweats, heat intolerance
Persistent viral and bacterial infections
UTI infections, Interstitial Cystitis
Yeast infections, Candida, Sinusitis (fungal)
Ear ringing
Metallic tastes
Sudden food intolerances and allergies
Heart palpitations, changes in heart, heart pain
Blood pressure problems

Swollen and tender lymph nodes of breast and underarm
Bouts of dehydration for no reason
Frequent urination
Numbness and tingling in limbs
Cold and discolored hands and feet
Chest discomfort, shortness of breath
Pain and burning sensation around the implant
Liver problems
Kidney problems
Gallbladder problems
Pancreatitis
Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
Feeling like you are dying
Symptoms or diagnoses of Fibromyalgia
Symptoms or diagnoses of Lyme or EBV
Symptoms or diagnose of autoimmune diseases such as Raynaud's Syndrome, Hashimoto's, Addison's Disease, Graves Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Unspecified Connective Tissue Disease, POTS, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Multiple Sclerosis and others
Diagnoses or symptoms of BIA-ALCL, Breast Implant Associated B Cell Lymphoma, Breast Implant Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Symptoms or diagnoses of other cancers known to be associated with breast implants such as Melanoma, brain cancer, Myeloma, respiratory cancer, various breast cancers, various lymphomas, various carcinomas and sarcomas

Fatigue
Brain fog, memory loss, cognition problems
Muscle pain and weakness
Joint pain of neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, hands/feet
Hair loss, dry hair
Premature aging of skin
Skin itching, various rashes
Weight problems
Inflammation
Insomnia and poor sleep
Dry eyes, decline in vision
Hypothyroid
Adrenal fatigue
Parathyroid problems
Diminishing hormones, early menopause, hysterectomy
Low libido
Slow healing, easy bruising
Slow recovery after exercise
Vertigo
Headaches, migraines, ocular migraines
Throat clearing, cough, difficulty swallowing, choking
Reflux, GERD
Nausea, gastritis, leaky gut, SIBO
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fevers, night sweats, heat intolerance
Peristent bacterial and viral infections
UTI infections, Interstitial Cystitis
Yeast infections, Candida, Sinusitis (fungal)
Ear ringing
Metallic tastes

Sudden new food intolerances and allergies
Heart Palpitations, heart changes, heart pain
Blood pressure problems
Swollen and tender lymph nodes of breast and underarm
Bouts of dehydration for no reason
Frequent urination
Numbness and tingling in limbs
Cold and discolored hands and feet
Chest discomfort, shortness of breath
Pain or burning around implant and underarm
Liver problems
Kidney problems
Gallbladder problems
Pancreatitis
Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
Feeling like you are dying
Symptoms or diagnoses of Fibromyalgia
Symptoms or diagnoses of EBV and Lyme
Symptoms or diagnoses of autoimmune diseases such as Raynaud's Syndrome, Hashimoto's, Addison's Disease, Graves Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Unspecified Connective Tissue Disease, POTS, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Multiple Sclerosis and others
Symptoms or diagnoses of BIA-ALCL, Breast Implant Associated B Cell Lymphoma, Breast Implant Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Symptoms or diagnosis of other cancers known to be associated with breast implants such as Melanoma, brain cancer, Myeloma, respiratory cancer, various breast cancers, various lymphomas, various carcinomas and sarcomas

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast implant illness occurs in all brands and both saline and silicone implants and is a very multifaceted illness. For both saline and silicone breast implants a strong and immediate response to the silicone shell directly after implantation may be predicated by your genes specifically HLA B27, HLA DR52 and HLA DR53 which are genes associated with being ill in the first year after implantation and a higher sensitivity to silicone. Even if you don’t have these specific genes your body will still respond to the fact that breast implants are huge foreign objects implanted in your chest near vital organs and glands and you will experience the usual foreign body immune response as your body mounts an all out war which causes immune deficits, immune dysfunction and eventually autoimmune symptoms and diseases. Our overwhelmed immune system eventually switches over to attacking itself instead of attacking invaders. This is known as switching from TH1 dominance to TH2 dominance and it is when the immune system develops antibodies against itself instead of killer T-Cells to kill what it perceives to be abnormal cells. Eventually, both saline and silicone breast implants cause immune system failure by overwhelming the immune system and allowing various infections in the body to gain a foothold and cause many of our symptoms. These infections can be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitical. Next the approximate 40 toxic chemicals and array of heavy metals in silicone which are known endocrine disruptors, inflammatory, carcinogenic, cytotoxic and neurotoxic poison our fragile endocrine gland system (thyroid/adrenals and others) and poison our Thymus gland and our immune system, poison our gut health and create toxicity in our organs and body. With saline there is also the added element that many of the saline ports collect body fluid and can mold and these organisms can cross into the implant due to defective valves and colonize the implant. These microorganisms produce metabolites which are toxic to us known as biotoxins. The interior of all capsules is perfect place for infections to occur and grow and the inside of capsules necrotize over time. Textures add another layer of toxicity and also textures soak up body fluids and provide spaces for infections to thrive. Textures also aggravate the immune system as they flake off and travel through our lymphatics. Many of us also have pathogens and parasites in our gut due to bad gut health and even past our gut as they inhabit our body because there is little immune opposition to them due to immune deficits. Due to poor gut health we cannot digest our foods and due to autoimmune processes our guts and bodies are full of inflammation. We could go on and on but as you can see saline and silicone implants profoundly damage our health in many ways.

Please join our Facebook group of over 150,000 women for support through your healing journey.

We look forward to your comments, feedback and personal stories about your symptoms due to breast implants. Please see the comment form below. Thank you.

This Post Has 153 Comments

Susanne 20 Feb 2023 Reply
Well…here I am at forty, the second generation of women with BII. I remember my aunt all throughout the 90’s FIGHTING her insurance company to get her silicone breast implants removed after rupture. She lived far away but twice, once in childhood, and once in my late twenties I got to see her and see what the breast implants had done to her. She eventually passed away of a brain tumor. She lived her life as a recluse because of depression and anxiety and I don’t think she was ever able to have her breast implants removed due to the cost. My step-father, an abusive man in every way imaginable, often mocked her and made fun of her for being a “pill-popper.” I have experienced this kind of mockery for the desperation to feel better as well. I started to get sick in my mid-twenties. But I never made the connection because of the implicit trust in the medical field and also, the implants became (weirdly) part of my body and I barely thought of them being there because, bluntly, I never wanted to get them out. Despite the fact that they hurt, grew hard, and my lymph glands hurt I never would consider my breasts as “fake” until a time that was convenient for me. But it was never convenient. I was sick and had problems almost instantly after they were placed inside my body. There is also the added element, and I don’t know if any of you can’t relate to this, of being from a very religious family and community so my implants were like a dirty little secret. I know breast implants are openly talked about now but, for me, even telling my mother in-law created a deep sense of shame. Anyone else have this? The attitude is like, you made your bed and chose to get them and now you are suffering the consequences. So I kept quiet but no more. I do not give a rip who knows anymore. My health is far more important than anyone’s opinion.
In my early twenties I wrongly assumed that saline was completely different than my aunt’s silicone implants and much safer than what my aunt did. I was wrong. Here I am almost seventeen years later after implants and my own daughter was longing for bigger breasts this past summer. Please God, not another generation of this! I think I refused to listen to what could be causing me to be basically be bed ridden until my own daughter’s started to show the same signs of lack of body acceptance that led me to get implants in the first place.
I am scheduled for an explant on March 28. My entire life has been one medical disaster after another. I have tried every last health gimmick and snake oil anyone would sell to me. I have done my due diligence to be “healthy.” All except for getting these toxic bags out of me. I am so sick. From heart problems to an immune deficiency that requires gamma globulin infusions every month. Family and friends are tired of hearing about the constant health issues. When people ask me, “how are you doing?” I just reply, “good.” Because I am tired of being an emotional drain on people. The fact is, the reality of what I am living IS very negative. These things must come out. What do you or I have to loose anymore? Not much. I am barely living life anyway. They must be removed. I am thankful for this site. I am thankful for all your comments. Sometimes I just read them and cry because it hits so closely to home.
1. Gail 12 Mar 2023 Reply
  Hello Susanne,
  I understand how u r feeling I am feeling the same. Feeling like people think I done this to myself so I’ve to deal with the consequences. Im really happy for you that you will be free of the toxic bags on march 28. I wish you,all the Very best life can bring and a speedy recovery.
hillary 17 Feb 2023 Reply
Hello, I got sick about 5 years ago with many autoimmune symptoms and issues. I was feeling better and decided to get breast implants after my boobs looked like empty tube socks from breastfeeding. Now, two years later, my symptoms are all back and then some. I don’t want to explant, but I’m unsure if it’s making my health worse. I know for sure it wasn’t the cause, but I’m sure it’s not helping. Any tips?
Madeline 12 Feb 2023 Reply
I have both silicone and saline implants for 25 years. I got a very serious autoimmune disease called Stills disease and have been on so many different medications including prednisone which I cannot get off the small amount I am still on. As a result I have tissue paper thin skin and have suffered through many skin cancer removals. I have suffered severe fatigue, depression and many other symptoms. I live in Denver in case anyone has a reputable surgeon they know. Surgery is very risky for me so I need to find out if I can go through the explant process. I wish I would have learned about this sooner but time is of the essence if anyone has feedback that can help.
Mary Aragones 5 Feb 2023 Reply
After nursing my son for 22 months my perfect small breasts were just deflated. Got saline implants in 1984. Five years later one deflated and both were replaced, again with saline implants. I think I started having unexplained symptoms in 1995. They diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, I wasn’t too sure about that. I started to loose hair, my beautiful healthy hair was getting finer and tinner.
I get tired for no reason, sleep is never good, I get heart palpitations even thought my EKG is normal, I have a healthy weight, and low blood pressure.
In 2017, my saline implant deflated and I had them replaced. I had promised myself if something happened I would have them removed but because I had just got married and I felt bad that my body would not be what he knew I replaced them with the “new and improved” silicone ones.
Now in hindsight I am happy I didn’t remove them at that time now that I have learned about the Explant and taking out the capsule.
Just requested to join the group on Facebook, not sure if I did it right since I only half answered one question and accidentally submitted the request.
Found a doctor that apparently does the procedure in Melbourne, Florida.
I need to learn as much as possible to make this a successful event.
Diana 17 Dec 2022 Reply
Hi, not sure if this has been mentioned in the group but has anyone else experienced Body odor after getting implants? I’m currently experiencing really bad under arm smells that I can’t get rid of. I’ve even had Botox under my arms to correct the issue and i must note I’ve never dealt with this before, it all started after I got my implants. I’ve left 3 jobs and I’m currently unemployed because it’s so hard to deal with co worker’s constantly gossiping about how bad I smell when I’m doing the impossible not to. I was even leaving during my lunch just to go home and take a shower to come back to have customers and employees make faces near me that suggests I smell bad. This has taken such a toll on my self esteem and life. This is the symptom that’s affecting me the most out of an array of different ones I’m experiencing. Wish I had never done this myself.
1. Nicole 22 Dec 2022 Reply
  Hi Diana,
  Yes, body odor is a symptom of breast implants and detoxing, try washing without soap, just water and splashing on a little bit of apple cider vinegar after. Washing with soap seems to make it worse. The apple cider vinegar restores the skins acidic ph which keeps certain odor producing bacteria and fungal in check, it also restores the skins natural flora. The long term solution is get the toxic implants out and detox.
2. Kathy 11 Feb 2023 Reply
  Same here but my urine sells so strong and grosstoo
Stefanie Sage 13 Oct 2022 Reply
I’m overwhelmed and frankly am so thankful I found your website. I am a breast cancer survivor and had a mastectomy and reconstruction with silicone gel implants nearly 10 years ago. I experienced no symptoms until I did. 6 years ago I started with thyroid symptoms, body aches and weight gain. I have a history of fibromyalgia and after a stressful move I chalked it up to a flare. I was very active, walked 4 miles 3-4 times a week as well as taught, volunteered, traveled frequently and hosted many family events. Then the shutdown happened, I got vaccinated and my symptoms escalated. I developed small fiber neuropathy, and weakness. Then I contracted Covid and it was like a switch got flipped- I still had no idea about BII. Brain fog, debilitating fatigue and weakness, heart palpitations, night sweats all were severe and I was forced to stop teaching, exercising, volunteering and checked out of family activities. I’ve been to specialists all over the Southeast and they all chalk it up to Long Haulers Covid. But then a nurse practitioner asked me to consider BII. She gave me the link to your website and I rejoined FB to become a part of the group( I had been on for several years but left for personal reasons) I would appreciate being accepted to the group as this is all so new to me. To top it all off, while researching implants I discovered that the implants I have were recalled in 2019. Sadly the recall has expired so it’s doubtful there is any financial help but I just want my life back and see a glimmer of hope with this group and your resources. Thanks for listening. -Stefanie
Alexis O’Brien 11 Oct 2022 Reply
Hi there, I had my first pair of saline implants in 1995(during college🤦🏻‍♀️), in an outpatient office. I worked out 6-7 days a week (running, lifting weights etc), all was fine for years. Got married in 2004, first child 2006 (emergency C-section),& my second child 2009(emergency C-section again) had Mastitis when attempted to breast feed my second child (didn’t work with my first child, at all) . Felt like I needed to replace implants and wanted smaller ones. Replaced implants with slightly smaller ones in 2010. Still teaching 6group exercise classes, 5 spin classes and Personal Training 5 days a week (from 1998-2016) l. I turned 40 in 2015, and my health started to deteriorate at such a fast pace. Became incredibly fatigued, lack of any motivation to exercise/teach classes, body ached EVERYWHERE, joint pains, Raynaud’s phenomenon became worse than it ever was, with DAILY bouts of WHITE fingers), depression, laid on couch for days, which turned into months. Went to my doctor to explain how my quality of life was terrible and I needed help, but had no idea what to do. She did blood work (minor markers of possible undiagnosed lime disease, and other possible autoimmune diseases, but nothing that “stood out to my primary care doctor”. so she sent me to a neurologist… who ran the same tests and gave me the same “feedback”…who then sent me to a rheumatologist…& same thing again. I felt hopeless. And still had no plan of action to move toward getting better. I only became more depressed because I felt like I was out of options…and my body and mind missed the positive endorphins from exercise …. *** please keep in mind that during that time, I had NO idea of BII, nor did I or any of my doctors even think about or bring up the topic of it possible being my breast implants! So after 6-9 months of “not knowing” what was going on inside me causing all this pain and fatigue, my doctors chalked it up to some “unknown virus”! To me, that meant, “we can’t figure out WHAT is going on”…:( Since then, I’ve tried weekly deep tissue massages, ART, Neuromuscular Massages, Trigger Point Injections in my neck, should, traps , EVERY 6 weeks, for almost 3 years… and still have the pain to this day. I started researching my implants and when to replace them and came across “pain” and implants and have just been obsessed with reading about BII & want to learn more, find out what I should do, where I can go, hear from other women, and basically figure how to empower us to help other women who may be dealing with this same pain and inform others who may be thinking about getting implants. Again, I still have my same ones from 2010 in me, at the moment. And trying to decide how to move forward. Before reading about BII, I was just going to replace my implants and get slightly smaller ones since I’m 47 now… but now I’m reconsidering that with not replacing them at all. I would even be interested in being in a trial for research to help other women. (sorry so long!) Thank you for considering me to possible join your group!:)❤️‍🩹
DKerrigan 10 Sep 2022 Reply
I had saline for 11 years and experienced dimpling, replaced with Mentor silicone which I’ve had now for 17 years since 2005. I tried to find info on which model yesterday and discovered my surgeon died last year.
3-4 yrs later I started to feel extreme fatigue, weight gain, stiff joints, and had a positive ANA 1:640. No answer was ever found by the rheumatologist. Since then the ANA normalized but I have developed many symptoms on your list including severe throat clearing and coughing issues, even stiffer joints and sore muscles esp gluts, numbness and tingling in my feet, and issues with my kidneys, liver and spleen. I’m still fatigued and almost never get a full nights sleep. Started menopause at 41.
I believe I must have explant surgery sooner rather than later but admit I’m also concerned with the undoubtedly very ugly result based on how flat chested I am naturally and how long I’ve been stretched out esp w weight gain and being middle aged.
I requested to join the group yesterday morning and still awaiting approval. Thanks for all your work on our behalf.
Nora 28 Aug 2022 Reply
Hello,
I am a breast cancer patient doing my research.
I found a helpful resource:
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/search.cfm.
I used Simple Search for an implant name and symptoms, for example ‘Mentor saline pain’
Whereas there are many reports of breast implant illness symptoms, Ideal implants are only associated with deflation or capsular contracture.
Does it mean that Ideal implants are better than other brands in terms of breast implant disease?
1. Nicole 31 Aug 2022 Reply
  Hi Nora, there are no safe implants, they all cause symptoms. The reason Ideal implants have less recorded symptoms now is because they are newer to the market. In time as women report adverse events with Ideal implants they will accumulate the same symptom records too.
  1. Nora Red 1 Sep 2022 Reply
    Hi Nicole. Thank you so much. Please accept me to your Facebook group. I never had a Facebook account before and created it solely for this purpose, that is why my journal is empty (no posts, no friends). I promise to follow the rules of the group.
Tammy 21 Apr 2022 Reply
I am from Canada and I see there is no surgeons on the list from Saskatchewan or Manitoba, do you suggest I travel to Alberta if I go through with the surgery? Symptoms are – weight gain, health palpitations, previous hair loss (but it has grown back now…is that common?), extreme water blisters and peeling feet (comes and goes, currently in a flare up), fatigue, brain fog, and now CT showed some changes in my brain (signs of a stroke). Has anyone had these same symptoms? I wish could show the pictures of my feet. It is terribly painful.
1. Nicole 22 Apr 2022 Reply
  Hi Tammy,
  A few have used Dr Annika Card from Saskatchewan but we did not put her on the list because she may not be removing all capsule tissue. Check with Dr. Card and if she does not do proper explant which means an En Bloc Capsulectomy or Total Capsulectomy ask her to recommend a surgeon that can and will do it. Your symptoms are very commonly from breast implants.
2. Jessica 27 Apr 2022 Reply
  Hi Nicole,
  I am so grateful to have found your website. It has helped me enormously during a time of pure anxiety & stress.
  My GP is doing different tests but I am convinced I have BIS.
  I am struggling to find many UK surgeons that do a proper explant, infact only 1 & I have been quoted £16000 🙁 Another reputable Dr has a 9month wait list. I am not on Facebook so wondered if anyone could help recommend any other UK based surgeons?
  My symptoms include:
  Joint pain & stiffness, pins & needles sensation, involuntary muscle twitching & muscle weakness, brain fog, tiredness, shakyness sometimes, painful breasts (like when I first had them done) I really hope this is symptoms of BIS.
  All the best,
  Jessica xx
  1. Nicole 2 May 2022 Reply
    Hi Jessica,
    We highly recommend that you join facebook even if temporary because there is an entire facebook group dedicated to UK ladies with Breast Implant Illness and they will help you find a good surgeon in the UK. Here is the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/513252575548197. Also join the big group here, there is tons of info there too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Healingbreastimplantillness.
Lina 27 Mar 2022 Reply
Hello Nicole ,I want to thank you for this website it helped me in locating my Explant Doctor and identifying my symptoms,I had my mentor silicone implanted in 2012 and Explanted in September 2021.I am 6month post Explant and most of my symptoms are gone except for the occasional anxiety,heart palpitations ,severe dizziness and the most bothersome of them all low pancreatic enzymes I was diagnosed with EPI Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in May 2021 it is a condition affecting the pancreas that hinders the body’s ability to digest food, this was sudden and I don’t have any of the main causes which are genetics or surgery to the stomach.I wanted to know if anyone had this diagnosis and recovered fully after Explant, I would also like to know what helped in recovery and if the pancreas will ever produce Elastase enzymes.I also do not have the symptoms associated with this condition any more all symptoms went away but test still shows my elastase is low, and the dizziness will it go away?Thank you.
Devin Thompson 11 Mar 2022 Reply
I see Sjögren’s and Lupus as symptoms. Someone whom I care about very much is battling symptoms and frequent infections with no real reasons from the doctors. My question is how common are those disorders in women with implants and is there someone that has dealt with them specifically that would be willing to talk to her at some point in the near future? I am going to have to have the conversation with her and I want to be able to give her as much helpful information as I can but more than anything I would like to have some support lined up. I know about the support group and that’s great, I do believe she would find help there but I also know her and it’s going to be overwhelming, she’s been desperately looking for someone that has been dealing with the same issues to see what works for them. Explant is going to be a tough-sell without some help.
1. Lisa Walenchok 13 May 2022 Reply
  Devin my name is Lisa Walenchok. I have Sjögrens, lupus, Raynauds, lichen sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, and a had million other symptoms before I explanted almost 6 years ago. I am now considered to be in “remission” I was sick in bed for almost 12 years and now I have a completely full, normal life!!! I felt like a different person the day after my surgery and have continued to heal in so many ways over the years. Please reach out to me on Facebook if either of you need to talk.
  1. Sheila Flores 17 Jun 2022 Reply
    Thank you for your post Lisa. My name is Sheila, I had breast CA with bmx and reconstruction with expanders then Mentor, smooth saline, round 280ccs. I, like most ppl was told that they were perfectly safe, ailments started immediately but due to CA, bmx, chemo, I thought all my symptoms were due to that. I have over 50 symptoms that ppl have listed. My major issues are MS, Sjogren’s, bowel issues. After finding this site, I am so sure BII is the cause, working on finding a surgeon for explant ASAP. Your post has given me hope as I have had these issues since 2003, I am cautiously optimistic. Within the last year I can not stand to cook, wash dishes, clean. I basically get OOB to recliner and back. You stated that you were bed bound for 12 years – can I be hopeful enough to think I may regain walking capacity? I used to play golf at least 3x’s/wk but haven’t been able to swing a club or putt without falling over.
Lanie 26 Feb 2022 Reply
Hello, I have already had my implants out due to crippling effects. I am year 11/2 and still not 100%, but so much better. BUT my question is for a new friend. I can tell she has implants. She just recently shared she has horrible Interstitial cystitis and severe pelvic neuropathy. Completely healthy and fit by nature. Doctors have no reason for it and can’t even help her feel better. My question is this… I see this symptom on the List. Does anybody know how frequent this is and is there anyone who may have actually dealt with this. I wanted to get an idea before I broach the conversation with her. Any info you may have would help. Please.
1. Nicole 27 Feb 2022 Reply
  Hi Lanie,
  IC is very common, inside our facebook group there are literally many hundreds of posts of IC being caused by breast implants. Also silicone chemicals are neurotoxic and so neurology/neuropathy is common and it manifests in several ways. Silicone chemicals are also cytotoxic, endocrine disruptors, carcinogenic, inflammatory and caustic. For the list of chemicals that make up silicone please see the Breast Implant Safety page of this website.
  1. Ginger 12 Oct 2022 Reply
    Nicole, have u seen any one with pudendal neuralgia which is a pelvic floor issue. Very debilitating. I’m wondering if having my saline implants out would make a difference. Do u know of anyone that has had this problem snd gotten better after explant?
    1. Nicole 12 Oct 2022 Reply
      Hi Ginger, I searched the term pudendal neuralgia in our facebook group and there are many other posts about it, so it seems it may be related. Are you in our facebook group, if not, join it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Healingbreastimplantillness.
Pam 4 Feb 2022 Reply
Hi Kelly,
Just curious if your insurance covered the ex plant surgery?
1. a 6 Mar 2022 Reply
  My mom had to fight her insurance and it took her two years but she finally got them removed 4 months ago
L Lynn 28 Jan 2022 Reply
How does breast implants cause difficulty swallowing/choking? I can understand my inflammation responses but want to be able to understand and explain what toxins or issues are causing this very random and weird symptom!
1. Nicole 7 Feb 2022 Reply
  Hi LLynn,
  Silicone chemicals are neurotoxins which means they damage nerves. The throat has many nerves and swallowing is a neurological process and so affected by nerve damage from neurotoxins. Also silicone chemicals are endocrine disruptors which damage our thyroid which is located in the throat causing further throat problems.
Rebecca 27 Dec 2021 Reply
Hi, after a miscarriage in 2020 I developed pain in my left breast, which then included my shoulder left shoulder, back, arm, leg…:… then up the right side to finish at my head. Since then I get what I call ‘shifting arthritis’ as pain comes and goes mostly in my hands, arms, feet and breasts. I also developed heart palpitations and dizziness. Heart tests came back fine but ectopic beats, bloods all look fine, just low iron and now my thyroid hormone is low. Some days I wake up and my arm which is on top of my body (not the one I’m lying on’ is dead. I go most days thinking I’m about to have a heart attach because of the breast, shoulder and arm pain.
I can’t help but think that maybe this is what I have.
1. Michelle 13 Feb 2022 Reply
  I feel like this 1000% too! So scary!
2. Luz 16 Feb 2022 Reply
  I’ve been feeling the same thing lately. I almost went to the ER the other night. Scared me. I made an appt with the cardiologist to check just in case.
Yanely webb 11 Dec 2021 Reply
Hello Nicole. My name is Yanely Webb and I opened a Facebook account just to join this page and haven’t been given access after answering the questions. I am explanting in 5 days and I am avidly looking for all the resources and support I can get.
1. Nicole 15 Dec 2021 Reply
  Hi Yanely,
  Make sure your profile has personal information such as photos and friends so I can see who you are and that you are female.
  1. Jane 21 Sep 2022 Reply
    I think many of us don’t want our friends to know or have anything that makes us identifiable. We make a FB profile specifically for this. I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m having the same issue too of not being added to explant groups despite DMs I’ve sent to admins. My explant is next week Thursday already 🙁 Not everyone is comfortable with sharing their story. Grateful for the information and resources publicly available here but it would be nice to be able to talk to someone who’s gone through the explant process with my specific surgeon Dr. Chun.
Alyse 4 Dec 2021 Reply
I have so many of these symptoms but also uncontrollable, constant shaking in my right arm and all the way down my right side of my body to my toes. My toes curl over involuntarily and cramp and my leg shakes. It’s been about a year now and doctors don’t know what is wrong. They thought maybe Lyme, but tests came back negative. I tested high in heavy metals. I’ve had my implants since 2004, and I’m starting to believe they may be the cause. Has anyone experienced similar issues?
1. Connie 15 Dec 2021 Reply
  You’re supposed to change your implants every 10 years
  1. Debbie 13 Feb 2022 Reply
    Many or most women are not told this. And at times, plastic surgeons minimize this. They may mention changing every 10 years, only to follow that up with saying, that if you’re not having any issues with the implants, such as hardening, then there’s no reason to change them.
    1. Jennifer Speer 3 May 2022 Reply
      This is where I am at. I thought I was “fine” if I didn’t have a leak or hardening. I’ve had mine for 18 years. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia 4 years ago. New lifestyle doctor yesterday pretty much insisted I have BII. I would think that symptoms would come on closer to implantation, not 14 years later? Reading everything here I see that could be wrong.
      1. Penny 7 May 2022
        I got implants in 1997 and I felt fine for about 12+ years. Problems really started at the 13/14 year mark. Now After 25 years with the same saline implants I have almost every symptom on the list… I was praying for my health to be returned, I’m so glad I found this site! Getting the courage more and more every day to get them removed.
2. April Coe 17 Dec 2021 Reply
  Hey Alyse,
  I recently experienced a few of the symptoms you mentioned above- about the toes curling and leg cramping with a bit of leg shaking or sudden jolts- this has happened to me a handful of times when I wake up from sleeping so strange .. along with MANY other symptoms .. and I wasn’t vaxed (as this is what also occurs in many vaxed people- I am reading ). I have 30 plus symptoms and more show up weekly it seems. Just recently my symptoms are becoming more aggressive, it’s crazy and docs can’t explain it: . I am working hard on my gut Health to try and counter some of my radical discomfort. My challenge to other women is “If you have symptoms of BII, why even think twice- it’s worth trying to rid your bod of toxins that are known killers rather than leave them in and end up more sick or worse dying …. We are enough ladies – no matter what – God says it! On that note, i can’t get these suckers out quick enough!! My bloodwork, Mammogram, EKG all came back almost perfect other than high potassium (Of course that is one of the bad ingredients in silicone implants hmm…) The plethora of symptoms I have had for the past few years including weakened immune system during dumb covid, variant etc… has made me realize how dumb I was not to research before I got these in. Natural is beautiful! I just mentioned to a gal I have breast implant illness and she said I just lost a friend to that !! It’s real and implants are bad! The companies who make them are knowingly placing toxins in them. Praying for you and others on this site now! ❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
  1. Pam Nichols 4 Feb 2022 Reply
    I have so many symptoms as well, have had my implants for 42 years and want them gone! But what do I do when I can’t afford the expense to have them removed?
3. Tina A Falgout 14 Jan 2022 Reply
  Oh yes ma’am I have the same symptoms on my right side. First let me say my implants were put in 2003. I just turned 62 .
  I went to a neurologist 2021 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. So, with that being said I am researching explant with the help from my daughter~In~Law.
Angela 13 Nov 2021 Reply
I have 24 of these symptoms… all starting after my implants went in!
A list of qualified surgeons would be wonderful.
1. Nicole 13 Nov 2021 Reply
  Hi Angela, please see the list of explant surgeons on the Explant Surgeon page of the same website here: https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/explant-surgeons/.
2. Heidi 21 Nov 2021 Reply
  I would like the list of qualified surgeons in canada as well please
  1. Nicole 28 Nov 2021 Reply
    Hi Heidi, the list for all countries is here: https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/explant-surgeons/
Laura 30 Oct 2021 Reply
hi andrea, nicole and anyone who has these symptoms!
i live in the afternoon bay area too.
i explanted total capsulectomy 4 weeks ago.
i had and still have dozens of the symptoms of BII.
i have numbness and tingling in my entire body. it started w hands and worked its way to core. my face, chest, legs, vaginal, everything goes numb and tingly and burning now. especially when i lay down.multiple doctors in neurology, dermatology, urology, and on and on at UCSF can’t explain it.
did this get better for you or anyone after explant? it keeps me up half the night and i feel like i’m dying. i know it takes time to heal after explanation but i was so hoping to have some relief by now. my hair has stopped falling out in clumps. and my hips don’t ache as much. otherwise i feel worse since explant. is that common? too much detoxing supplements? i’m eating healthy. bone broth etc.
i just want a little hope to get me to the other side of this. thank you!
1. Nicole 2 Nov 2021 Reply
  Hi Laura, in the first six to eight weeks post explant your body is healing from surgery and processing strong surgical drugs and medications and you will feel unwell at times. After eight weeks post explant, you will begin detoxing and healing from years of toxic breast implants and for most their healing unfolds over a year or two with symptoms coming and going but slowly dropping away for good. Explant is not an immediate fix, it took years to get sick and its going to take a year or two to heal. Eat healthy and be patient and your healing will happen.
  1. Mary Aragones 5 Feb 2023 Reply
    Thank you for all your info. Getting ready to make this decision.
Stacey 9 Oct 2021 Reply
Thanks for all the info! Is there any chance there are references for the info mentioned here (eg HLA B27, HLA DR52 and HLA DR53 which are genes associated with being ill in the first year after implantation and a higher sensitivity to silicone)? I’d really like to read more studies and start gathering information for my doctors. Thanks again!
1. Nicole 11 Oct 2021 Reply
  Hi Stacey,
  Here is one pubmed study showing the statistical significance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7480270/.
Lauren 7 Oct 2021 Reply
Hi, my name is Lauren and I’m struggling with BII. I’m trying to join your Facebook group but I keep getting denied. I only joined Facebook in order to get help.
1. Nicole 11 Oct 2021 Reply
  Hi Lauren,
  Make sure you have answered all the questions posed in order to enter the group, make sure your fb gender profile is female and that we can see a photo of you, if you meet those requirements you will get in the group.
Pam Lorenz 6 Oct 2021 Reply
Breast Implants out 2 years post some symptoms gone but not all. Wondering if any ladies also have polypropylene bladder mesh and if this is the reason I’m not feeling better yet.
1. Nicole 6 Oct 2021 Reply
  Hi Pam,
  Yes, mesh can cause similar symptoms to breast implant illness.
  1. Pam Lorenz 6 Oct 2021 Reply
    Thank-you. At least I know I’m on the right track. Blessings.
Shannon 20 Aug 2021 Reply
I am 54 yo, I had a prophylactic double mastectomy five years ago with reconstruction with silicone implants. I have several of the symptoms list above. They seem to get worse as time goes on. I have had several tests, but no real answers other than chronic migraines and other ideas.
I have not seen any other posts about what options for mastectomy patients. I am concave once implants are removed. Please share any advice.
1. Nicole 23 Aug 2021 Reply
  Hi Shannon,
  I hope you come to the facebook group here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/Healingbreastimplantillness, there are many ladies explanting their reconstruction implants now due to breast implant illness, we even created another page on our website with information and resources specific to explanting reconstruction here: https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/explanting-after-reconstruction/.
2. Chantel E Druce 2 Sep 2021 Reply
  Shannon
  I was a nipple sparing double mastectomy as well and seeking Information. South Jersey.
  Chantel
3. Jamie 24 Sep 2021 Reply
  There are FLAP options, where you can take fat from your stomach, butt or thighs. Just make sure they don’t put mesh in you if you have DIEP FLAP!!!
  1. Holly M 13 Jan 2022 Reply
    Hello. I am almost certainly going to explant but am fearful of what will be left physically. Is FLAP the moving of fat from other parts of body to breasts? Is it generally considered safe long term? Thanks!
    1. Nicole 15 Jan 2022 Reply
      Hi Holly,
      No Diep Flap is not fat transfer to the breast. What you are describing is fat transfer to breast and for the most part its unsuccessful for most as the fat does not stick or take in most and it dies causing cysts and tissue necrosis which causes other problems and interferes with breast cancer detection. Fat transfer is painful and risky as well. Women getting fat transfer often report deformities at the harvest sites and even the breasts. Pass on fat transfer.
4. Karen 17 Oct 2021 Reply
  Hi Shannon,
  I am 62 years old and had a unilateral nipple sparing mastectomy in 2010. I have Allergan Silicone implants (recalled!!) and wonder about some unusual symptoms. I also wonder what my options are for explant. I would love to know what other women in our situation have done.
5. Claudia Suarez 14 Aug 2022 Reply
  Shannon
  My name is Claudia I have same surgery like you. I have the same question
Jennifer McGeough 7 Aug 2021 Reply
I am new to the groups and am so happy to feel like maybe I have found the answer to all my health issues. I’ve had saline implants under the muscle for 6 years and just in the past year and a half I’ve developed terrible heartburn, chest pain, short of breath most days, terrible fatigue and horrible discomfort under my ribs that wraps around to my back which unfortunately is a symptom of pancreatic cancer that I can’t stop worrying about ugh! I have had so many tests and nothing has been found and Im getting one last cat scan think week that will hopefully be clear. SoI’m finally ready to find a surgeon near me in south Jersey. Is that symptom of discomfort under the ribs and squeezing pain common?
1. sher lynn 2 Dec 2021 Reply
  Were you able to find an explant surgeon in South Jersey? I live here as well and it would be be wonderful if there was one close
2. Toni 17 Feb 2022 Reply
  I have this too, like it hurts if someone hugs you? I also have severe burning on my back. Especially when laying down.
3. Joann 28 Feb 2022 Reply
  Hi I’m
  In south jersey too and wondering if you found a good surgeon?
April Coe 12 Jul 2021 Reply
I have 26 of the symptoms listed above.
**Please send me a list of the most qualified docs for the explant surgery. I have called one and very expensive. Hoping to find an affordable and yet skilled doc that will perform my removal like he was doing the surgery on his own wife or mom.
I am so grateful for all those above that have listed in detail their experiences/symptoms. THANK YOU.
This helps me to know I am not crazy and not a hypochondriac. I am a hot mess, praying for all of you on this thread and for me too.
April Coe 12 Jul 2021 Reply
Hey Amy,
How did it your explant go? Do the symptoms go away?
I called the same Doc you used but the prices were wayyy higher than I had read online. I am in so much discomfort from chest pain, heart palpitations, feels like i have been pepper sprayed around my eyes and mouth- stinging and itching and rashes on my neck , arms …list goes on and on. Please share any advice, I need to do something. I had the top rated doc(Newport Beach, Cali) do my implants over 20 years and then replaced them Jan. 2019.. my daughters found the BII facebook page and told me mom you probably have BII. Please reach out with any advice. Thank you. Hope you are doing so much better than last year!!
1. Lizeth 9 Oct 2022 Reply
  My doctor in Beverly Hills CA is great and did the job.., I’m already feeding 100xs better Dr.Khosravi he’s not on the list but rated top 10. Good luck in this healing journey 🥺
Natalie 2 Jul 2021 Reply
My saline implants are 26 years old and ive been sick for the last 5 to 10 years, slowly bt surely getting worse and doctors cant seem to find what my problem is. All my tests are pretty much normal. When I found this website and read the symptoms I saw that was me. I have almost half of the symptoms on the list but I’m still hesitating to explant for 2 reasons:
1. I love the way my breast look and I would be devastated to sacrifice my look if after explantation my symptoms don’t get better and would have done that in vain without results of feeling better. I wonder what % of women are completely healed after explantation?
2. I still have some good days during the month where I’m able to function normally and not feeling very sick so I’m wondering why. If it’s really my implants poisoning me then wouldn’t I feel sick all the time and feel equally bad the whole month since they’re aways present in my body? How can the intensity fluctuation be explained if the problem was only my implants?
1. Nicole 6 Jul 2021 Reply
  Hi Natalie,
  Symptoms come and go for most but as time passes they come and stay for the most part and more come on every year and symptoms get worse, eventually gets to the point where breast implants are not worth the continued poor health and loss of quality of life.
  1. Phoebe 14 Aug 2021 Reply
    I was a AA cup. I’ve had two surgeries because I’ve capsulated both times. Got them at 23 and I’m 42. Not married, live in Newport Beach and I’m more anxious about it than anything I’ve ever been through. The vanity is definitely part of it but I realized I’m doing this for my health. I never had rashes or couldn’t get out of bed until the last 6 weeks. I had constant neck pain, circulation issues, hair loss, vision issues and recently extreme fatigue. I love working out and thought it was part of Covid because I couldn’t go to an early boot camp in the morning prior to work.
    Surgery is August 30th. It’s real
    1. Tiffini 8 Sep 2021 Reply
      I am brand new to the group and have had many symptoms too. Just saw your post and want to wish you quick and full healing! I’d love to hear how you are, now post surgery. Take care and all my best to you!
    2. Kat 28 Feb 2022 Reply
      Phoebe, how are you feeling post explant? I’m in the same boat as you. I’m 41 not married and live in the OC. I’ve had the same symptoms as you plus 20 other symptoms. All the docs I’ve seen are 20k. Can I ask who did you go to and how much did they charge?
2. Amanda 12 Sep 2021 Reply
  I’m having a lot of these issues too! You are really supposed to replace the implants every 10 years or so, I have 2 consults scheduled to talk about replacing mine and doing a detox in hopes it will help! I can’t ever imagine not having mine.
Desiree Lynne 1 Jul 2021 Reply
My question and need of advice…
I’ve had my saline implants for a little over 7 years.
I’m experiencing hair loss/brittle hair, abnormal thyroid levels, lymph swelling, inflammation, brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, gut issues and anxiety.
I’m a super healthy and very active athlete and mom of two boys. I feel in my gut that I shouldn’t feel this way. But I wondered if it was from other health related choices and keep putting off that my implants could be the primary source. I would love to have another baby but I’m wondering if I should go through explant before getting pregnant again and looking for advice?? How long after explant can I get pregnant? What is the healing time line like? I would hate to get pregnant and have another child just to have my symptoms explode even worse with the changes of 3 children if I decide to keep implants in. I just requested to be added to the group on FB, please approve me.
1. Nicole 6 Jul 2021 Reply
  Hi Desiree,
  If it was me I would explant, heal and then proceed with pregnancy. Explant should not affect your ability to breast feed but avoid lifts as they may. In general women say they are about 75 per cent healed from breast implant illness after the first year and take a second year for the balance of the symptoms to fall away.
Caren 20 Jun 2021 Reply
Hi Rebecca,
Did you get your implants taken out. I’m also in the UK and had my explant surgery last month and currently trying to detox and heal.
Would love to share experiences.
Julie Cheney 19 Jun 2021 Reply
I have had my implants for almost 17 years. I was always large busted, but after my first Open heart surgery in 2004, my DD were down to my waist, (after nursing 4 kids) and i had a long 8” red scar down my chest from my surgery. A year later, i got my implants! I loved them-Fast forward to October 2020, I had to have my 2nd OHS with a mechanical valve. It has now
been 8 months post op and I still can’t breathe. My cardiologist is baffled and so I went to a lung specialist! Our first consult was a week ago. We have been running tests, and still are. My husband just happened to mention that I have implants. My pulmonologist looked me in the eye and said “You need to get those out.” So, I started to research and talked to a friend who recently had hers explanted! Wow! What a journey this has been! I am so grateful for this Facebook group Nicole! I never connected all the crazy things happening to me. I have had a partial thyroidectomy, parathyroid surgery, gained weight, and many other symptoms. I now have consults set up
and want to get these toxic things out of my body! I am scared, especially since i just had a huge surgery not too long ago. I am on blood thinners and am worried this will affect my surgery and prep etc. I know I will probably survive, but I am very emotional and scared about this. Am i going to survive and be okay? Has anybody had anything similar?
1. Kimberly Pastran 9 Aug 2021 Reply
  Hi Julie I too have had my mitral valve replaced tricuspid repaired my thoracic surgeon was the one that told me he would take them out when he went in that they had done that before. Of course i was in denial and didnt want him to touch my implants thay was in 2014 in 2015 i found this group and realized all these surgeries and adrenal shut down autoimmune problems were from my implants. I have been wanting them out since then but since i lost my nursing career because i have been so sick i didnt have the money. I finally have the money and im explanting w/ Dr Hirsch Sept 8th!!!!! Im so excited and pray I start to get my life back. Feel free to contact me for anything. Good luck 💕
Christine 6 Jun 2021 Reply
I had the same issue. You are the first person I’ve ever known that had the same issue. Got my implant at 19. I hated it from the minute I got it. Had it for 27 years. Went back to my original doc and had it removed and reconstruction on both to make them match. He wanted to give me two new implants. I refused on the spot. I’ve never been happier! Mine was a Dow Corning silicone gel implant which had known issues. I did receive a settlement from them and then another smaller settlement when I had it removed.
Dee 19 May 2021 Reply
Hi. I also got implants because of a deformity. I have Poland’s Syndrome. Do you know what caused your deformity?
Bev Barned 17 May 2021 Reply
Hello.I’ve had my implants in since 1985…
I’ve misplaced the paperwork through several moves over the years, but I do know it had a white coating over it, and do remember the word styrofoam during the consultation….
I haven’t had any symptom that I thought were implant related, except lately my underarm is quite itchy and discoloured, and the surface under feels quite lumpy…
My breast sometimes gives a burning sensation.
I went to a surgeon to talk about having them removed and his recommendations, was ‘why remove them if they’re not giving you any trouble, plus you’re going to end up with two floppy sacs after you do’. He also quoted me an exorbitant price for taking them out if I did decide to opt out of keeping them.
Any suggestions or recommendations…
1. Malissa 15 Jun 2021 Reply
  Bev- Get a second opinion. I’d definitely removing them. I explanted and got a lift. Total cost $15 000. Much more expensive than augmentation which only cost me $6 000
Tracy 14 May 2021 Reply
I was an A to small B cup when I had a daughter 33 years ago. My milk dried up but my body kept producing, my breasts were getting larger but stayed hard. After the doctors were able to stop this process it left me with skin hanging and no breasts. I have had implants for 32 years, but over the last 10 years I have had so many health issues with most being unexplained, no matter how many tests or procedures. My daughter referred me to this site. After reading many comments no one has actually said what they look like after explant. I do want to feel better and I know this is superficial compared to feeling better, but I’m very concerned if I will even have any or what they will look like. I’m going to be 58 soon and I fear that I won’t have anything which will not help my self esteem. Thank you.
1. Nicole 23 May 2021 Reply
  Hi Tracy,
  If you come to the group you will see many photos of aesthetic results.
  1. Caren Lumden 20 Jun 2021 Reply
    Hi Nicole,
    I have created a Facebook page specifically to join your group as I am also battling Bii. Please add me.
    1. Nicole 21 Jun 2021 Reply
      Hi Caren,
      Are you the Caren Lumden with the toy horse as a profile photo? Please apply again here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Healingbreastimplantillness and I will watch for you.
Lara 14 May 2021 Reply
I’m having explant surgery with an uplift.
As long as the capsule is removed then an uplift doesn’t cause any long term health problems does it?
I’m so confused if I should just remove the implants and leave my boobs alone. I’m scared about how they will look with sagging skin as the surgeon put stupidly large implants into me even though I didn’t want big boobs.
On my day of surgery he told me he had run out of stock on the smaller implant but that the bigger implant will look great.
I was so stupid to agree!
1. Nicole 23 May 2021 Reply
  Hi Lara,
  Uplifts do not cause health problems and may women who explant get an uplift and are very happy with their results.
Tonia Harris 18 Apr 2021 Reply
Hello everyone, I just found this website and I feel so blessed. I’ve had my silicone implants (under the muscle) for 10 years and I’ve been falling apart for years. It started with panic attacks and later my doctor noticed that my thyroid hormone levels were consistently barely within the normal range for years. I was sent for further testing but no abnormal findings. No diagnosis…Approximately 1 year later, I started developing thyroid nodules and ovarian cysts. I am still struggling with both of them. (First biopsy was negative for the thyroid nodules and appeared cystic) I have hair loss, ConsTantLY clearing my throat, premature aging of the skin (I look a lot older), a rash appeared on the back of my neck for almost a year and then relocated to my chest. Although I work out 6-7 days/week, fast for 18 hours everyday and I have been a vegetarian for about 2 years, my weight is ridiculous and unchanged; I cannot lose weight at all. My poor knees… I had my vision surgically corrected years before my implants and I had 20/15 vision with no problems. I am currently suffering from severe dry eyes and I have to wear glasses at all times. Speaking of dryness, I am dry throughout my body. (Skin, eyes, vaginal area) My sex drive is very low and I have terrible migraines. I was placed on a prophylactic medication to combat my headaches. I also suffer from the metallic taste and I am extremely (all of a sudden) allergic to my favorite food. It is so bad that I can’t go out to restaurants because the smell of seafood makes me react. (Anaphylaxis) I have heart palpitations and chest pain. I thought my chest pain was related to the anxiety. I also had a miscarriage after 3 amazing pregnancies before the implants with no issues. I completely removed my birth control for about 2 years and I can’t get pregnant anymore. I can go on and on but I am here because my new endocrinologist is evaluating me for autoimmune disease and I think I’ve figured it out. I am going to hold off on the lab work until my explant. I scheduled a consultation immediately with a surgeon after reading this. I am wondering if my body will return to normal after surgery… Thank you so much for the informative website.
1. Diane 21 May 2021 Reply
  I’ve had silicone implants utm for 10 yrs I have felt fine all this time. The past year I’ve been having muscle soreness under them. A pins and needles feeling. On both. Sometimes itching on sides. Sometimes a burning feeling. I’ve seen two drs so far. I’m at my wits end cause I don’t know why after all this time I would be allergic and there is also something called post mastectomy pain syndrome with the same symptoms. I’m seeing another specialist Monday. Have you had yours extracted yet and was it a big painful surgery ?
2. MaryAnn S Lastova 26 May 2021 Reply
  Hi Tonia, I am new to this group – mastectomies 6 years ago with implant reconstruction. I am just starting to look into this. But, I also wanted to make sure you consider whether you are consuming enough iodine – essential for thyroid function and breast/ovaries. NIH recently updated their website on iodine. Do you consume dairy? Warm regards, MaryAnn
Lori 10 Apr 2021 Reply
Brianna, It’s been 35 years for my implants I’ve been a 4 – 6 size forever in the last 2 years I wear stretch pants I could be a tight ten by now. I have all the systems gut issues is the worst, memory fog and putting on 50 pounds. I think it was a God thing. I met a lady at a customers house who told her story about her having her implants for 17 years. She got hers extracted. The best thing she could of done. She has boobs also. The capsule contains metals and toxics you don’t want them in your body long term at all. They cause cancer. I paint kitchen cabinets I’m on a job right now it has a butler pantry I haven’t started I want these out like yesterday. I heard your suppose to replace the implants every ten years. I think I’m behind. I think my ruptured because there very saggy. Didn’t tell my daughter I have them she’s 27 she’s wants me to visit her in D.C. for Mother’s Day I just can’t travel, and fake a smile for 5 days. Nothing foreign should be in your body. Long term your going to regret it. I also have a twin we got them on the same say. I told her we need to explant the same day also. LOL The very best to you.
Tess 5 Apr 2021 Reply
After childbearing and nursing, I had saline implants (to fill out the excess skin!) for over 20 years with no discernible effects. Then one ruptured. Although I initially inquired about the removal of both implants with the plastic surgeon I met with, I was encouraged to replace them instead. Such a huge regret. I began experience burning pain immediately after surgery and was told it was ‘normal’ and would go away. When it did not, I was told to give it more time. Then I also began having severe asthma attacks – though I attributed that to assumed mold in my home. Then my hair began falling out, my weight shot up, I could not breathe well, my lungs feel like they are on fire, my joints began aching, I am fatigued all the time with a overall feeling of malaise, I feel like I am ‘outside of myself’ (if that makes any sense), etc. I had to move away due to family matters a year later, so I was unable to follow up with the original surgeon for over a year until I returned (then COVID); so, it has been about 4 years now.
Meanwhile, the burning sensation has intensified and spread to my neck, shoulders, and arms; and, my face has developed this near-constant red rash and itch. I have noticed my gums have also become very red and swollen with an awful metal taste in my mouth, but I have not read anywhere else that this may be a symptom of BII. I am not in a financial position now to have explant surgery because I am raising grandchildren on a fixed income, so there is really little I can do to alleviate these debilitating symptoms. However, it is very helpful to know that it is not ‘me’.
Sharalene 3 Apr 2021 Reply
Yes, please remove both ASAP before your BII nightmare has even an ounce of opportunity to begin. I have smooth round high profile saline implants since 3/14/2005. Over the past 7 to 8 years my health is declining but right after I had them put in not even a week later my right breast implant dropped that should’ve been a sign but at 28 years old and after having both of my children knowing I wasn’t gonna have anymore children I felt like it was safe to go ahead and proceed with having it corrected and retaining the right breast implant. So I did. The surgeon told me because I had such a thin layer of muscle across my ribs there wasn’t much to attach the implant to as I had mine put in under the muscle. Eventually later on dropped and I just had to wear my bra strap higher on that side than the other side. I was completely healthy with no health issues at all at the age of 28. Now over the past 17 years I have food allergies I have pet allergies I have environmental allergies and taste metallic type substance in my mouth. I basically live on the air patch the one that you were given when you go on a cruise for nausea and vertigo and dizziness without the patch I cannot function at all. I constantly smell my allergies and sinus infections in my nose it is the nastiest smell that smell alone is enough to make you want to throw up all over yourself. Since October 2020 every two months I head off to the emergency room due to sinus and allergies. Dr gives me a 10 day rx of Augmentin 875 bid steroid injection and 10 day steroid pack. Just two weeks ago I have developed a web like purpleish fresh all over my body and my skin is yellow I look jaundice but my liver right now is ok but my kidneys are not. Please save yourself from this nightmare I would never ever ever ever ever wish this on anyone. Continue prayers for you.
Kate 22 Mar 2021 Reply
Hello,
I got a breast explant total Capsulectomy En bloc style by Dr. Aaron brown from B.C April 2019. I had my implants for only 14 months, 6 weeks after I got my breast augmentation my symptoms had started. I am just about 2 years past explant and I am still experiencing symptoms. Any food except for a select few cause me chronic joint pain and inflammation and brain fog and headaches. For 18 months I have followed the AIP diet and have been taking probiotics and drinking bone broth daily but my symptoms keep getting worse. At first I thought it was my gut that I had to heal, but with these worsening food sensitivities and new symptoms I’m starting to think there is capsule still left inside of me. I am wanting to go for a second surgery with Dr. Jae Chun to find out if there is any capsule left over. Have any other women experienced this where they had to go for a second surgery and indeed there was more capsule left behind? I just really don’t want to pay the extra cash, time, healing etc to go through something that I might not need.
Thank you for taking the time to read
1. Nicole 22 Mar 2021 Reply
  Hi Kate,
  Did Dr. Brown give you photos of your explanted capsules and implants, if he did, I would like to take a look at them. Can you email them to [email protected]. Thank you.
Crystal 16 Mar 2021 Reply
Hi Debra, I have the burning mouth symptom! Has it subsided for you?
Miranda 16 Mar 2021 Reply
Has anyone had capsular contracture occur?
1. Vanessa 1 Apr 2021 Reply
  Hi, yes. I had saline for 19 years then in March 2019 I thought something was very wrong with my right breast & so did my breast specialist because it had raised up and was painful. After an MRI & biopsy (she was worried it was that rare cancer from implants), all came back normal so I went back to my original plastic surgeon who said it was capsular contracture so I had new implants put in, the gummy gel implants. At the time I had no knowledge of BII, never heard of it. By February 2020, 11 months after replacement, I have severe contracture again in right & left has dropped & shifted outward. I came across this website when searching for a new plastic surgeon & after reading & researching, I’m explanting with one of the surgeons recommended here on May 10. I hope this info helps you.
2. Kelly 29 Jun 2021 Reply
  Yes, I have a Grade IV Baker Syndrome in Left breast. I have Mentor Smooth Round Silicone 300cc 2003 ( 1st sign of contracture 2005 )part of fhe FDA study that my name is mysteriously missing from even though I have the the original paperwork for it. I originally Round Textured Saline 500 cc in 1997 until replaced with McGhan Textured Anitomical Tear Drop Saline 400cc, experienced a rupture 3 weeks later had them replaced with with same brand, shape, cc but switched to silicone . I was 100lbs. 5’7″ & the Anitomical shape was very unnatural & that’s when I entered I to the FDA study
  1. Cathy Spicer 16 Jul 2021 Reply
    Kelly, what do u mean the mentor implants were part of a study? That’s what I have & I have all kinds of symptoms but they tell me they are not recalled!
    1. Julie 23 Jul 2021 Reply
      Cathy, I also have the mentor silicone implants. I have been experiencing Bii symptoms for most of the 11 years with implants. Do you have any information on the Mentor implants being studied or recalled?
Jennifer 8 Mar 2021 Reply
I am a health/wellness coach and fitness trainer. I’ve been dealing w so many of these symptoms without thinking it was from implants! Gained around 40 pounds and I eat well and teach/exercise 7-8 classes per week!
Robin 3 Mar 2021 Reply
Hi, who is Bill? Were you able to find out if insurance will cover any of this?
Robin 3 Mar 2021 Reply
Just wondering if you ended up having the surgery to remove them and can you tell me did your insurance cover any part of it?
Robin 3 Mar 2021 Reply
Hi Kristin, Interested to know how you are doing now without the implants? Did insurance cover this?
Vanesa 28 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi, I’ve had my breast implant in 2011. I’ve Just come across a you tuve video and round about this page. Not sure when I started having migrains but most of my family suffers from them. I have a 2 year old and I’m always tired and sleep pretty bad but I thought it was part of being 43 and having as small kid and working all day. Now I’ve been diagnosed with lyken disease which seems to be autoinmune. Is it posible that after almost 10 years of having my implants I’m starting to have this sympthoms? I’m from argentina. I’m not even sure of knowing a place White they can remove them correctly. Thanks
1. Nicole 28 Feb 2021 Reply
  Hi Vanesa,
  Yes, the symptoms you list are known to be associated with breast implants and yes its entirely possible your symptoms are just starting now. Please see our surgeon’s list here, scroll down to your country or area, its very long: https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/explant-surgeons/.
  1. London 7 Jun 2021 Reply
    Hi Nicole!
    I just got my implants in last year in July. I’ve been having strange symptoms ever since, literally the week I got them in. Brain fog, numbness in hands and feet, leg and arm muscle/nerve pain, blurry vision, I’m getting UTI’s every single month and joint pain. Is it possible to develop BII so soon after getting the implants?
    1. Nicole 14 Jun 2021 Reply
      Hi London,
      Yes, some women get symptoms right away, some in the first couple years, some can by 5 to 8 years and some can go a decade or more before they get symptoms.
Maureen 24 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi Debra I do hope you are feeling better after your surgery your describing everything above to how I have been feeling since 2013 my implants have been in a long while too like you I might have had symptoms before 2013 but not like iam now I have quite a few auto immune things going on but all you listed I have had going on on b12 injection for PA auto immune hypothyroidism , blepharhitis dry eyes had double vision corrected the list goes on corrected 2018 all this seems it could be caused by these implants.
Andrea 21 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi! I have a question, I have implants since 2009, however due to the fact that one flipped from the top to the bottom I had them replaced in 2019. One week later I heard about BII.
I have some symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, hip and groin pain, falling hair, brain fog.
I am type2 diabetic and have turners syndrome plus I had a heart attack in 2013. A lot of these symptoms appear to be common with Diabetis, Turners (affects the thyroid), so I don’t know if the symptoms are BII or the other conditions I have. How can I know? What do you suggest would be the best way to go?
1. Nicole 22 Feb 2021 Reply
  Hi Andrea,
  Most women realize breast implant illness in themselves after reading the symptoms list and understanding why breast implants cause illness. Even if you had some symptoms and health problems before implants they are not serving you or your health in any way and will likely exacerbate your health problems.
  1. amanda kallen 21 Mar 2021 Reply
    hi nicole.. my name is amanda and i am just finding out about Bii. im 3.5 months post op breast augmentation & lift and im experiencing symptoms pretty quickly. im already trying to get a consult for an explant surgeon but i dont really have anyone to call or talk to about this since my friends are oblivious. ive had numerous breakdowns today and my anxiety is through the roof. can you recommend someone i can speak to or call? maybe you? im 29 years old and i am a healthy person, have no prior health issues what so ever and im so scared.. my phone number is if anyone wants to reach out because i am really afraid.
    1. Sharon 28 Mar 2021 Reply
      Sorry about what u are going through. Hang in there. Had silicone implants in the 80s. Breast issues, infections shortly after. Rupture& explant in the 90s. Some symptoms of bii. Unsure if it’s normal aging. Still surviving, 40 years since first pair. Hope to remove this pair. Joining FB group may help.
    2. carla 8 Apr 2021 Reply
      hi amanada, id love to talk to you about this/ what other health problems are you having? im 29, have had mine for a year and since i got them have been put on 3 different medications for anxiety and depression
  2. Vanessa 1 Apr 2021 Reply
    This is so true. I’m a very healthy person who exercises every day, eat very healthy & always active but in past three years have developed symptoms that I thought was just age & hormones.
Jeni L 21 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi Suzanne. Did your symptoms of BII happen overnight? Like a light switch? I have lightheadedness as well and every special I see and ask about it they all say the same thing…”Ya. Hmm IDK that’s strange.”
Jeni L 21 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi Maddie. What tests did you have done? I have been on this path for 4 months now of tests. I have lightheadedness with heart palpitations and GI issues with headaches and ALL the doctors say everything is fine. Ive had my implants for 13 years now. Did your symptoms hit you over night?
Paola 20 Feb 2021 Reply
Has anyone here gotten seizures randomly due to hormonal problems and all of a sudden now thinking back all of this didn’t start happening until I got my implants. Before the implants I was good never had a seizure or hormonal issues, now I have many of these symptoms and am going to explant this next week.
1. Megan Omlor 1 Aug 2021 Reply
  Hi Paola! I’ve had my silicone implants for about 10 years. I’m not having any problems but I’m worried I will. I have seizures now so I don’t want to cause more problems. My doctor says it’s not epilepsy. So this is a new idea for me! What hormonal issues have you had? Thanks!
Paula 12 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi Gaby, I got mines done too at 18 and I’m now 37. I’m hopefully going to get them removed in May when I go to Colombia. I’m removing them and getting a lift. I can’t believe all the symptoms that are related to implants. I’m trying to convince my mom to remove them as well but she refuses. I
Martha 11 Feb 2021 Reply
Hi everyone. I just found this page today. I’ve had implants for 4 years now and 2 yrs ago I thought I was getting rheumatoid arthritis like my mother had. I could hardly walk and my joints all hurt. (I was eating well and working out) but my joints just weren’t with me. I also found out I had adrenal fatigue stage 4 and gained like 10 lbs. (I’m 4’11 so every lbs shows on me)
But for about 2 months now, I’ve been getting a burning sensation in my upper part of my breast. I’ve had heart palps (assumed it was anxiety related), I’m on meds for anxiety as well, now for almost 2-3 yrs.
I just made an appt with my doctor who performed the implants to discuss what’s going on, but everything I’m reading is directing me that my implants are the cause of my issues. I’m a breast cancer survivor of now 11 years. Got the implants 6 years after my cancer to feel whole again, because my left breast is 25% smaller than my right breast due to my lumpectomy. So I hate the thought of having them taken out, but I tell my self, I lived with lopsided boobs for 6 years after cancer, I can do this! Right?!
Anyone else have implants after cancer? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
1. Nicole 12 Feb 2021 Reply
  Hi Martha,
  Please come to our facebook group its full of ladies explanting breast implants from reconstruction: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Healingbreastimplantillness. Also on the website we created a page of additional resources for ladies explanting breast implants from reconstruction: https://www.healingbreastimplantillness.com/explanting-after-reconstruction/. Hope this helps!
2. Laura 24 Feb 2021 Reply
  Martha, I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2015. I was given Allergen 410 Naturelle textured implants (the safest there are I was ‘re-LIE-ably told. I was 40 years old with 3 small children I just wanted to get back to normal. I was super-fit – exercised daily, ate an organic diet weighed 127’lbs at 5’6″ great cholesterol etc etc- Recovered fast except for a burning sensation in my foobs at about year 2, all my Drs brushed it off – …people get that after MX its nerve regeneration – but it’s not true. I tell you this to give context. I suffered cold hands, poor circulation, itching
  Fast forward to Nov. 2020. I had a stroke at age 46 (still living the same lifestyle – fit & healthy bar, those symptoms) and now I am waiting for a 2nd blood test to confirm APS (antiphospholipid syndrome) an acquired clotting disorder as I tested positive for anticardiolipin (type of antibody that can be caused by an overactive immune response to an adjuvant -Please read: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335313745_AutoimmuneInflammatory_Syndrome_Induced_by_Silicone_Breast_Implant_and_Risk_Factors_Associated_to_Autoimmune_Diseases ).
  No one understands why this happened to me. I have no markers for stroke, no family history or that or autoimmune diseases and no symptoms of APS – ‘oh, well’, said the Dr’s ‘just one of those things. They happen.’ True they do, but I still think there is more. I now face lifelong warfarin or blood thinners. I have been given hydroxychloroquine an immunomodulatory drug, to ‘quiet’ my immune system whilst I try to find a surgeon
  I have fully recovered (back to running daily along with everything else) so I am ‘lucky’ mainly due to having amazing insurance and being given tPA within 12 minutes of symptom onset. I don’t want anyone else to live this nightmare.I ABSOLUTELY know in my heart that I did not have those antibodies prior to having the implants. I can pinpoint when I began feeling off and it was not prior to the implants. My Specialist wholeheartedly agrees.
  I had a gut feeling that the implants weren’t agreeing with me a while back. But everyone always said I was crazy. My mum was the only one that believed me – she would see me and say ‘what’s up?’ and I would just say, I just feel off. I know now that it is a symptom of BIIl. If only I had advocated harder…
  Then, my specialist Super strongly advised explant. Well, not many Drs want to operate on a 46 yr old stroke patient with a clotting disorder! I feel just hopeless. Let down and stuck with no options – I can see how women become suicidal. Even if I can find someone to explant I don’t want to go flat. It is truly devasting. I don’t want to scare anyone, my story is not run of the mill but obviously, it can happen, it is also not dissimilar to many on here, but if one person reads it and gets those nasty things out before things go further, then I feel it was worth telling. Stay well.
3. Sandy 8 Apr 2021 Reply
  Just found this page today. I have extreme joint pain and like you, thought it was rheumatoid arthritis. 2015 diagnosed with breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy and radiation. 2017 cancer came back had double mastectomy with reconstruction and implants. 2019 cancer came back had chemo and extended radiation. At this point I started having joint pain. It started in my knees and was difficult to walk. It has since spread to every joint in my body. I was a very healthy strong person. I have gained 20 pounds and am basically crippled. I’ve spoke with all my Drs and had countless tests, and haven’t got any answers.
Shadi 4 Feb 2021 Reply
I had my implants put in end of July. I started working out 6 weeks later and have gained 8 lbs between then and December. I diet exercise all that. I’m very healthy. I have a feeling it’s my implants. But can someone have BII and only have one symptom? I’m fine otherwise! Please advise. It seems like everything I’ve read so far includes people with multiple symptoms.
1. Nicole 4 Feb 2021 Reply
  Hi Shadi,
  Our symptoms start one at a time and can come and go but eventually more symptoms occur and they all stay. Sounds like your thyroid is affected already which is very common in us because silicone chemicals are endocrine disruptors and disrupt our endocrine glands of thyroid, adrenals etc.
2. Ryanne 15 Mar 2021 Reply
  That’s how it started out for me… with weight gain and it wouldn’t come off now matter how much I worked out.
Kris 3 Feb 2021 Reply
Hey Carrie, what does fat transfer look like and are there any health issues with fat transfer? I have implants in 2012 due to having not even A cup breasts, I know I’ll have low self confidence if I get them out, a lot of explant pictures show the women previous had breasts… so I’m finding it really hard to relate as I am going to feel really self conscious with them out.. any info would be appreciated
1. Barb 7 May 2021 Reply
  Hi Kris, I just found this blog and your question is my question as well! I’ve had my implants for 25+ years and believe my right one ruptured a few months ago. I got them because i basically had no breasts before having 4 kids and had nothing but bags of skin after. I’m a widow and will be 55 this year but I know I’m going to feel conscious about my flat chest and huge scares.
Holly Poe 3 Feb 2021 Reply
My mastectomy was July 2019 with expanders October 2019 (those things are from the devil!) and exchange to implants in December. I’ve got plenty of fat and tissue (I gained 40 lbs after expanders because I was in so much pain that I couldn’t work out and drowned my sorrows in food) to do a fat transfer, but my PS doesn’t do those. I had a bilateral MX due to family history, and I’m honestly wishing I’d gone with a flat closure instead of reconstruction. I’m 61 and a widow, so I’m not worried about not having “foobs”, I just want to feel good again. I can’t honestly say I’ve felt wonderful since I started reconstruction. I was a runner and XC coach, I still walk and jog a little, but I’m exhausted all the time. I want my health back!
Tasha 3 Feb 2021 Reply
I have the same symptoms along with many more I have mentor silicone implants as well since 2012
Kaley McElroy 1 Feb 2021 Reply
This is my brand too and I am about to explant!
Naomi 26 Jan 2021 Reply
How did you find out that your implants had ruptured?? Do you know how they ruptured? I’m always so scared that my silicone is ruptured from mammograms.
Mandy 25 Jan 2021 Reply
I had mine in June 2020 and started having symptoms in October. Im really upset because I love mine.
Liberty 24 Jan 2021 Reply
Hey Maddie.
Thank you for sharing your experience in such great detail. I feel like I literally wrote this post myself. I’ve had my implants for a similar time to you, I also have had my first baby and our symptoms are identical! I really resonate with feeling insane or a hypochondriac as you just can’t seem to find a reason for all these symptoms. I’ve made the decision I want mine out 100% but struggling to know how to afford it at the moment so exploring that for now.
I honestly hope we can find our answers and feel better soon x
1. Lesley Symons 25 Nov 2021 Reply
  I have 34 of these symptoms, I’ve had implants for 17yrs ,I live in the UK and didn’t know about this sight until recently, I’ve felt so ill for a long time with no reason as to why, all my tests I’ve had have always come back clear, I’ve always felt like a hypochondriac but the illness was real ,since finding out about breast implant illness I have consulted my doctor, I am waiting for an appointment to see a plastic surgeon to see if I can get them removed, hoping this will happen soon,
MARILYN DEMAURO 24 Jan 2021 Reply
Had my implants removed on Wednesday. My right implant became incapsulated. I have photos…Both implants had calcification on them. It’s amazing how the body reacted to them. I am feeling so much better already physically and mentally!
Bianca carmona 24 Jan 2021 Reply
Hello, my name is Bianca Carmona. Would you please kindly accept me to the Facebook group? I do not use Facebook but I made one just to join this group so I do not have friends on the Facebook but I am real and am so happy I found this page. Please accept me 🙂
Mardi in AL 23 Jan 2021 Reply
Do you mind my asking if you went flat in Alabama and if flat closure and who your surgeon was? I’m in B’ham. Willing to travel if need to. I see some recommended ones for flat closure in Atlanta. Wonder if any excellent ones in AL?
Stephanie 20 Jan 2021 Reply
Hey Melanie. I’ve also only had my implants for 6 months (“gummy bears” as they’re called) and I, too, am exhibiting some of the symptoms on the list. I have had pain in my cleavage when I sleep on my side, bouts of blurred vision, a weird feeling in my throat, numbness/tingling in hands and feet, loss of color in hands and feet, and facial acne that started just 3 weeks post op. The acne has been the strangest thing for me because I NEVER broke out before—literally only got maybe 3 zits a year—but now, at 31, I have been breaking out for 6 months straight. I had heard about BII before my surgery, but I wanted to believe it wouldn’t happen to me. I know lots of women who have implants and they are completely fine, so I didn’t do much research. Yeah, it seems like such a waste of money to only have the implants for a short amount of time, but we are actually lucky to be figuring all this out after a relatively short time. Trying to look on the bright side here, but implants are foreign objects wreaking havoc inside our bodies and the sooner we get them out, the better off we are. Knowing what I know now, I know what I need to do 🙁
1. Melanie 11 Feb 2021 Reply
  Hi Stephanie. So here I am a month later and my symptoms have gotten worse, started looking for a doctor to do my explant. Just wanted to let you know that next week I will be explanting these toxic bags. Your health is so much more important than these bags.
2. Caroline 6 Apr 2021 Reply
  I am also experiencing numbness and tingling in my hands. It started with the left, especially at night when I lay down on that side, it’ll go completely numb, then tingly. Sometimes the palms of my hands get itchy.
  Now it’s my other hand!
  I’ve been working in my yard this past week planting and digging and I have had trouble sleeping the past week due to the pain and inflammation in my fingers and hand. So strange! Very hard to explain to anyone. I would hate to deal with this forever.
Carolay 14 Jan 2021 Reply
Hi Debra Are you feeling better after the explant?
Allison 8 Jan 2021 Reply
Jill, can you give us an update on your recovery and how you are feeling now?
Allison 8 Jan 2021 Reply
Nicole. I have had all of the same experiences as you. How are you doing now? Did you decide to explant? I want to go through with it although I am scared.