Aug 15, 2023 | Breast, Breast Implants
Breast implant illness (BII) is a syndrome that some people with breast implants claim to experience, while the medical world is divided on whether it exists and what causes it. People who think they have BII describe various symptoms, such as weariness, joint discomfort, cognitive problems, and autoimmune problems. You can read this blog and find out if you know about breast implant illness. Knowing about this illness can allow you to help a friend in need.
The immune system’s reaction to the implants, which results in persistent inflammation, is likely to cause these symptoms. However, scientific studies have not demonstrated a direct relationship between these symptoms and breast implants.
Causes of Breast Implant Illness
The reasons for breast implant illness (BII) are still poorly understood, and it is still debatable whether there is a clear causative link between breast implants and the observed systemic symptoms.
Silicone Leakage
Breast implant illness (BII) has been linked to silicone leaking from breast implants as a possible cause. The silicone gel that makes up silicone-filled implants may touch neighboring tissues when they burst or leak. It is thought that silicone in the body might cause an immunological reaction, resulting in inflammation and various BII symptoms.
Leaking silicone can spread to neighboring tissues, lymph nodes, or distant organs, aggravating the immune response. The development of BII symptoms is believed to be influenced by the immune system’s reaction to silicone leaks. However, the precise processes still need to be clarified.
It is essential to remember that only some people with silicone-filled implants develop BII, and the frequency and severity of symptoms might differ significantly. A proper diagnosis and consultation with medical experts are crucial for anyone worried about silicone leaking.
Silicone Migration
Breast implant illness (BII) has been linked to silicone migration from breast implants as a potential cause. Silicone particles that migrate from the implants might affect the body’s distant organs, local tissues, and lymph nodes. The immunological response and persistent inflammation brought on by this silicone migration may aid in developing BII symptoms.
The precise methods by which silicone migration may cause BII are currently under investigation, and silicone migration’s prevalence and effects might differ from person to person. It is crucial for people with breast implants who are exhibiting symptoms of BII to get evaluated by a doctor and speak with a professional to get an accurate diagnosis and the best course of treatment.
Immune System Response
Breast implant sickness (BII) has been linked to an immune system reaction as a possible cause. Some people may react more aggressively than others to the presence of foreign substances, including breast implants, which can result in persistent inflammation and the emergence of BII symptoms.
This chronic inflammatory condition has the potential to develop into several BII-related symptoms over time. However, the precise processes driving the immune system’s reaction to breast implants and the emergence of BII remain largely unknown. To better comprehend and manage BII, further study is required to clarify the intricate interactions between the immune system and breast implants.
Treatments for Breast Implant Illness
Depending on the particular symptoms and unique circumstances, several therapy options may be available for silicone gel-filled implant disease. A good assessment and individualized treatment plan require consultation with a trained healthcare expert. The following are some potential BII treatment plans:
Explantation
Breast implant sickness (BII) is frequently treated through explantation or the removal of breast implants. This method includes surgically removing the capsule of scar tissue surrounding the implants, either with or without. Explantation removes foreign substances from the body and reduces factors that might trigger an immune response and inflammation related to BII. Breast implant removal might be the last resort for someone suffering from BII.
After explantation, some people with BII have experienced symptom improvements or resolution. It is thought that removing the implants reduces the immune system’s reaction, enabling the body to return to a healthier balance. However, it is crucial to remember that while explantation may offer relief for some people, it may not ensure that all symptoms disappear entirely.
Symptom Management
Managing symptoms essentially treat silicone implant illness. Since BII symptoms can vary from person to person, it requires a customized strategy. Medical specialists may suggest various therapy approaches to alleviate symptoms, including pain, inflammation, exhaustion, cognitive problems, and autoimmune diseases.
Complementary treatments like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation may also help treat particular symptoms and enhance the general quality of life. In some circumstances, symptom treatment may also benefit from changes in lifestyle, such as regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and stress-reduction measures. Symptom management might be the best way to diagnose and treat connective tissue diseases.
Immunomodulatory Treatments
Breast implant sickness (BII) may be treated using immunomodulatory therapies, which control or affect the immune system’s reaction. If a person has BII and their immune system is dysregulated or hyperactive, these therapies may be an option. Immunosuppressive medicines, corticosteroids, and other pharmaceuticals can all be used in immunomodulatory therapy.
However, because each person’s effectiveness and safety profile will differ, immunomodulatory therapies for BII are usually evaluated individually. To assess the suitability and possible advantages of immunomodulatory therapy in each unique situation, speaking with medical experts with knowledge of BII and immunology is crucial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, detecting breast implant sickness (BII) and putting proper therapy in place needs a thorough and unique strategy. A detailed analysis of the patient’s symptoms, medical background, and possibly implant-related variables is required to diagnose BII. To rule out further probable reasons and determine the presence of BII, healthcare professionals may consider various diagnostic investigations, including imaging examinations, laboratory testing, and consultations with specialists.
Jim Brantner MD’s clinic uses high-end technology for silicone breast implants. Our services include Botox, Liposuction, Tummy Tucks, etc. Our highly trained doctors specialize in identifying breast implant illness symptoms. Breast implant illnesses can lead to joint pain and even rheumatoid arthritis if not treated sooner. If you have a loved one with breast implant illness, contact us today to help them get the proper treatment for their condition.
Jul 15, 2016 | Breast, Breast Implants
Breast implants are a personal choice. The opinions of the people around you shouldn’t affect which implant you choose. In the end, it’s your body, and your satisfaction is what matters. But we live in a world that glorifies unachievable beauty standards for women. It’s hard to turn a corner without overly slim, stuffed, and photoshopped women staring at you from billboards, storefronts, and websites. So how can you achieve a breast that’s full and natural without falling prey to the “bigger is always better” mentality of the media?
How Big Is Too Big?
Many people find full breasts attractive, whether they’re observing someone else or looking in a mirror. But there’s a point when large breasts cross the line into top heavy. Too large breasts can make a woman’s chest wall look broader, which tricks the eye, making a woman look heavier than she is. Using an implant that’s too large can stretch the skin, make the breasts look fake, and even cause back and neck pain down the road. But with clothing cuts, photoshopped models, and the unsolicited opinions of family and friends all calling for attention, how can a woman find the ideal breast size?
How to Find the Right Size Implant
There is no one size fits all. Every woman has a different shape, different measurements, and a different way she carries her body weight. So it’s impossible to say that no woman should exceed, say, 350cc implants. At your breast augmentation consultation, Dr. Brantner will measure your chest wall and existing breast tissue. He will ask you questions about your lifestyle, how your body responds to diet and exercise, and your desired breast size. If you have concerns about how or where you gain/lose weight, mention them to Dr. Brantner when discussing the best breast size for your body. With decades of experience in helping patients choose their ideal breast size, Dr. Brantner has an artist’s eye for balanced body proportions and a surgeon’s knowledge of complications certain implant choices may cause. Consider his recommendations carefully. If he feels your choice of implant may have negative consequences to your health or appearance, he may advise you to find another surgeon.- Your lifestyle affects your implant choice. You may think that because you have a similar weight and body shape to a friend, you’ll need the same size implants. But a variety of factors affect which implant size is right for you. Your body type is one factor, but so is your level of physical activity, your job, and what you hope to get out of the surgery. A bodybuilder, for example, may choose smaller breast implants placed under her pectoral muscles, while a freelance consultant wouldn’t need to worry about how her implants may affect on her career.
- What’s a good guideline when choosing breast size? Shorter women with narrower chest walls should steer toward smaller implants. Taller women with broad chests sometimes need larger implants to balance the proportions of their bodies. Women who are active should consider smaller implants, since larger breasts can become cumbersome during frequent, intense physical activity.
Want to know what a breast augmentation would look like for you? Call Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule a consultation.
Bust Size
Feb 12, 2016 | Breast, Breast Implants, Uncategorized
For decades, breast implants have been the top cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S. 286,000 breast augmentations were performed in 2014 alone. But despite its popularity, the world is full of misconceptions about breast enlargement surgery. Make a list of personal questions to ask your surgeon at your cosmetic consultation. To get you started, we’re answering 4 common questions about breast implants.
Top Questions about Breast Augmentation
Are breast implants safe? Breast implants are among the most studied medical devices in existence. After years of extensive research, the FDA has approved both saline and silicone breast implants for medical use.- How do I achieve the most natural results? A variety of factors must come together to give you your perfect breast implant. First, you must determine your ideal outcome. Saline implants are recommended for women under 22, but they may cause slight rippling under the skin, especially when placed over the muscle. Silicone implants give a more natural shape, but cost more than saline implants. Patients must also consider implant placement, scar placement, body type, and lifestyle before finding their perfect breast.
- What Size Implant Do I Need? During your surgical consultation, Dr. Brantner will help you determine the right size breast implant for your surgery. He will measure your chest wall, shoulders, and current breast size to help you find your ideal breast size. Height, weight, body type, and desired results are also crucial factors in finding the right size implant. As with any surgery, optimal breast size is different for each patient. Dr. Brantner is here to help you find your best, most natural results.
- Will You See My Scar? There are three sites you can choose for your incision: under the armpit, beneath the breast, and around the nipple. Every patient heals differently, but in most cases, the scars are small and easily concealed. Discuss the pros and cons of each scar placement with Dr. Brantner at your consultation.
Are you considering cosmetic breast enhancement surgery? Call Dr. Brantner’s office to schedule a consultation.
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Sep 1, 2014 | Breast, Breast Implants
Last week we discussed myths about breast implants, focusing on aesthetics and recovery after the procedure. Although many patients worry that their breast implants will be too obvious, just as many are worried about the medical ramifications of breast augmentation surgery. This week we will address the top 5 medical myths about breast implants.
Silicone Implants Aren’t Safe
The medical industry has invested decades into researching the safety of silicone gel breast implants. The FDA has approved silicone breast implants in augmentations for women aged 22 and older, and in reconstructive procedures for women of all ages.
Breast Implants Increase the Risk of Cancer
Medical research has found no link between breast implants and the development of breast cancer or any autoimmune disease. All women should do regular self-exams for lumps and changes in breast tissue. A woman who has had a breast augmentation should notify her radiologist before her scheduled mammogram.
Women with Breast Implants Should Fear Infection
Any implantable medical device, from pacemakers to breast implants, may get infected. This most frequently occurs 6 months to a year after the implantation. Always notify health care professionals about past breast augmentation surgery. Consult Dr. Brantner several days before any scheduled invasive procedure or dental work. He will prescribe an antibiotic to prevent the unlikely spreading of bacteria.
Mothers with Breast Implants Can’t Nurse
There is no research to suggest that breast implants prevent mothers from nursing. Many mothers with breast implants have no trouble nursing, just as many mothers without implants face difficulties. If you’re worried about nursing with breast implants, discuss your concerns with Dr. Brantner during your surgical consultation.
Breast Implants Need Frequent Replacing
Women with breast implants, particularly women with silicone implants, should see their physicians yearly to make sure there has been no damage to the implant. Manufacturers recommend replacing silicone breast implants every 10 years, but if the implant and surrounding breast tissue are in good condition, there is no reason to undergo another surgery. Some implants may last 25 years or longer.
If you have questions or concerns about breast augmentation surgery, call Dr. Brantner’s office.
photo from FreeDigitalPhotos
Aug 8, 2014 | Breast, Breast Implants
Once a patient chooses to have a breast augmentation, it might feel like the decisions are over. Planning plastic surgery is a personal choice that each woman must make based on her physical ideal and emotional satisfaction. However easy or difficult it is for a patient to choose a breast augmentation, she also needs to consider several factors in getting the results she wants.
Choosing the Right Implant
During a cosmetic surgery consultation, Dr. Brantner will discuss the medical procedure, educate the patient about physical limitations before and after surgery, and ask about the patient’s implant choices. Many women find it beneficial to consider their preferences beforehand. Patients must make four major decisions about their breast augmentation surgery. We will discuss size/type today and positioning/scarring next week.
- Size of implant. Before scheduling your surgical consultation, research your desired bust size. Dr. Brantner can make suggestions based on a patient’s height and body type, but only you know exactly what aesthetic you want. Find photos of celebrities with your desired breast size whose proportions are similar to yours. Knowing your desired cup size is also beneficial, but keep in mind that the lingerie industry has inconsistent sizing. What is a B cup at one store may be a D cup at another.
- Type of breast implant. In order to create a natural, beautiful look, you need to decide what type of implants you want. Saline breast plants are filled with sterile saltwater. If the implant were to burst, the body would absorb the saline from the implant. Saline implants create subtle ripples beneath the skin, which some women find unappealing. The gel in silicone implants feels more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks the gel will stay in the implant shell or trickle into the implant pocket, but silicone implants rarely collapse entirely. Women with silicone implants should visit their doctor regularly to ensure their implants are functioning properly. For more information about the shape and texture of breast implants, schedule a consultation.
Do you have questions about choosing cosmetic breast implants? Call Dr. Brantner’s office and stay tuned for next week’s blog. photo from FreeDigitalPhotos
