Breast Implant Illness

A note on a couple of recent news items about breast implants:
There has been news circulating on the internet about “implant illness,” and I wanted to talk today about this. No one knows exactly what this term means. Typically a patient comes to me and they report’ “they just don’t feel good,” or some other vague description. Our society has been looking into this and hasn’t come up with any definitive answer. What I do know in my practice of over 30 years is this. I’ve had patients come to me with this scenario too. After a long discussion, some patients have decided to have their implants removed, and initially they report they feel better. When I see them many months later whatever symptoms they had before had returned. It was probably a placebo effect that initially made them feel better. Each patient is an individual, so if you have concerns, come see me and we’ll talk.
The second news is about a lymphoma that has occurred in breast implant patients called ALCL. It has also now been confirmed to have occurred with a buttocks implant patient. This is incredibly rare, but it is real. I most likely will not see it in my career (I hope not!) It has only occurred around implants that have a rough surface so far, not as commonly used. The patient usually has a swelling around the implant with extra fluid giving us a clue that something is going on. So far our society doesn’t feel it is worth the surgical risk to suggest all rough surfaced implants be removed. Most of my patients for the last 20 years, have had smooth walled implants. If you look at your card and it has either “68 MP” or “Style 1600” you will know these are smooth walled.

Call if you have any questions or concerns.

I hope you have some great summer plans. Next time you are here, I want to hear about it!
Dr. Virgil Willard