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Breast Implant Illness

What is Breast Implant Illness?

If you’ve been searching for answers to unexplained symptoms, you may wonder whether your breast implants could be playing a role. Breast implant illness (BII), sometimes referred to as breast implant sickness, describes a range of health concerns that some women experience after receiving breast implants. 

Symptoms of BII commonly include:

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Joint and muscle pain

  • Headaches

  • Anxiety

  • Hair loss

While breast implant illness is not an official medical diagnosis, your concerns are important. At PRMA, our surgeons listen to you, conduct a thorough evaluation, and help you decide what to do next.

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What is Breast Implant Illness__-optimized

Key Information

  • Breast implant illness affects every woman differently.
  • Health concerns may develop months or years after surgery.
  • Because symptoms can overlap with other conditions, a thorough evaluation is critical.
  • For women who believe their implants are contributing to how they’re feeling, explant surgery (breast implant removal) may be an option.
  • Depending on your health and goals, you may be a candidate for tissue-based reconstruction using your own tissue, such as a DIEP flap.
  • PRMA specializes in both breast implant removal and advanced microsurgical breast reconstruction.
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Understanding Your Options

Considering breast implant removal is a personal decision with many factors. You might ask what surgery involves and if breast reconstruction is possible afterward. The right approach depends on your anatomy, medical history, and personal goals. At PRMA, we’ll walk you through each option so you can make a decision with confidence. 

Explant Surgery

Explant surgery removes one or both breast implants. Your surgeon may also recommend removing part or all of the capsule, a layer of scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant. This is called a capsulectomy.

You may also hear the term en bloc capsulectomy during your research. In an en bloc capsulectomy, the implant and the scar tissue surrounding it are removed together as a single unit. While this procedure can be appropriate in certain situations, it’s not always deemed necessary. Your surgeon will recommend the safest and most appropriate approach based on your symptoms, imaging, the condition of your implants, and current medical evidence.
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Breast Reconstruction After Explant Surgery

For many women, implant removal is the beginning of a new chapter—not the end of their reconstruction journey. If you’d like to restore breast shape after explant surgery, tissue-based breast reconstruction may be an option.

For qualified candidates, a DIEP flap uses your own living tissue to rebuild the breast without placing new implants. PRMA specializes in this advanced microsurgical procedure, which uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen to create soft, natural-looking breasts without implants. 

During your consultation, your breast implant illness specialist will explain whether a DIEP flap or another reconstruction procedure is a good fit based on your anatomy, medical history, and personal goals. 
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What to Expect During Surgery

Before surgery, your PRMA surgeon will review each step of the procedure, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident about your treatment plan.

During surgery, your surgeon will remove your breast implants. If needed, part or all of the capsule—the scar tissue that forms around an implant—may also be removed. The best surgical approach depends on several factors, including the condition of your implants and your anatomy.

If you choose tissue-based reconstruction and are a qualified candidate, a DIEP flap procedure is typically performed during the same operation as your explant surgery. This allows your surgeon to remove the implants while restoring breast shape using your own tissue, eliminating the need for new implants.

After surgery, you’ll spend time in a recovery area while your care team monitors your comfort and healing. Before you go home, you’ll receive detailed instructions about caring for your incisions, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. 

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Before & After

See real results from women who’ve trusted PRMA with their reconstruction journey.
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Procedure: Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate High Definition DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
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Recovery Timeline

Healing looks a little different for everyone. Your timeline will depend on the type of surgery you have, your overall health, and whether your implant removal is combined with breast reconstruction.

  • Week 1:
    Explant surgery recovery begins immediately after your procedure. It’s normal to have soreness, swelling, and fatigue during the first several days after surgery. Focus on getting plenty of rest, taking short walks to promote circulation, and following your surgeon’s instructions for incision and drain care, if needed. 
  • Weeks 2:
    Many patients begin feeling more comfortable and notice that swelling starts to improve. Depending on your procedure and the type of work you do, you may be able to resume some light daily activities, but strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should still be avoided. 
  • Weeks 3-6:
    As your body continues to heal, you’ll gradually return to your normal routine. Your surgeon will let you know when it’s safe to increase your activity level and resume exercise. Follow-up visits during this time allow your care team to keep track of your progress.
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PRMA has transformed breast reconstruction with their revolutionary TruSense® procedure, a proprietary technique that restores breast sensation in qualified patients—giving back not just form, but feeling.
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Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Illness Treatment?

If you think your breast implants are contributing to unwanted symptoms, the first step is to meet with a surgeon for a consultation. Explant surgery may be an appropriate option for women who want to remove their implants.

You may be a strong candidate for explant surgery if you: 

  • Have breast implants and are living with ongoing symptoms without another clear explanation.

  • Believe your symptoms may be related to your breast implants and want to explore whether implant removal is the best next step.

  • Want to remove your implants with or without removing the surrounding capsule, depending on your surgeon’s recommendation.

  • Are looking for an experienced breast surgeon to walk you through what’s possible and create a personalized treatment plan.

If you’re interested in restoring breast volume after explant surgery, your surgeon can also address whether tissue-based reconstruction, such as a DIEP flap, is an option for you.

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Find Your Surgeon

PRMA is the only center in San Antonio, Texas, and one of only a handful of centers worldwide to provide breast reconstruction on such a large scale. Our surgeons treat patients from across Texas and the US, and routinely welcome international patients. We are proud to have a tremendous global reputation for breast reconstruction excellence.
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Dr. Peter Ledoux
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and microsurgical techniques
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Dr. Steven Pisano

Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and complex microsurgery

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Dr. Chet Nastala
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in advanced breast reconstruction
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Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo
Championing Advanced Breast Reconstruction Access Nationwide
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Dr. Oscar Ochoa
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon & Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
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Dr. Gary Arishita
Dedicated to Restoring Confidence Through Expert Reconstruction
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Dr. Andrew Gassman
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery
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Dr. Anton Fries
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in advanced lymphatic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery
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Dr. Lauren Whipple
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and reconstructive care
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Dr. Tyler Merceron

Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and microsurgical care

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Dr. Courtney Carpenter
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction
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Dr. Edwin Acevedo
Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon specializing in breast reconstruction and microsurgery

Will Insurance Cover Breast Implant Illness Treatment?

Insurance coverage for breast implant illness treatment depends on several factors, including the reason for surgery and the details of your individual insurance plan. We’ll work closely with you and your insurance provider to determine your eligibility for coverage, review your benefits, and discuss any out-of-pocket costs before treatment whenever possible.

Our goal is to make navigating insurance as straightforward as possible so you can focus on your care.

For more information, visit our Insurance FAQs in the patient resource center.

Insurance FAQs
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Preparing for Surgery

Preparing for breast implant removal begins well before the day of your procedure. During your consultation and preoperative appointments, your care team will explain how to prepare for surgery, what to bring, and what to expect during recovery, so you can feel informed and supported every step of the way. 

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Preparing for Surgery
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?
Symptoms vary from person to person and can affect many parts of the body. Common health changes include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, headaches, hair loss, dry eyes or mouth, skin rashes, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Because these symptoms can have many possible causes, it's important to have a thorough medical evaluation before deciding on treatment.
Will removing my breast implants cure my symptoms?
Many women feel better after explant surgery, but results vary from one patient to the next. Because researchers are still studying breast implant illness, no one can predict exactly how symptoms will change after implant removal. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss what is currently known, answer your questions, and guide you in making an informed decision.
Do I need an en bloc capsulectomy?
Not necessarily. While an en bloc capsulectomy may be appropriate in certain situations, it is not recommended or necessary for every patient. Your surgeon will evaluate your implants and health before recommending the surgical approach that’s safest and most appropriate for your unique needs.
Can I have breast reconstruction after my implants are removed?
Yes. Tissue-based breast reconstruction is separate from treatment for breast implant illness. It restores breast shape after explant surgery for women who opt for reconstruction. PRMA specializes in these advanced microsurgical procedures, including DIEP flap using your own tissue. A consultation is the first step to learning whether you may be a candidate for tissue-based reconstruction.
How do I know if breast implant removal is right for me?
If you’re managing persistent symptoms you believe may be related to your breast implants—or you’re simply exploring treatment options —the best first step is to schedule a consultation. Our surgeons are here to listen to you, review your medical history, and work with you to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.

You Deserve Answers, Not Dismissal

Whatever you're feeling, it's real — and PRMA's dual-surgeon team is here to listen, evaluate your symptoms thoroughly, and guide you toward safe, informed options for relief and peace of mind.

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