Silicone Breast Implants and Platinum:

A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Women With Breast Implant Illness

BACKGROUND

Breast implant illness (BII) is a term used to describe physical and psychological symptoms experienced by some women following breast implant surgery. Few studies have examined the experiences of women with BII-a poorly understood condition with no clear cause or treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore women's experiences of BII, including symptoms, healthcare encounters, social media, and explant surgery.

METHODS

Employing an exploratory qualitative methodology, researchers undertook semistructured interviews with 29 women who self-identified as having BII. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed by inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis of the interviews identified 6 themes: (1) symptoms without explanation; (2) invalidation and invisibility; (3) making the BII connection; (4) implant toxicity; (5) explant surgery: solution to suffering?; and (6) concealed information. BII was described as distressing and debilitating across multiple domains including relationships, work, identity, and physical and mental health, and symptoms were attributed to implant toxicity and immune system rejection of foreign objects. When their experience was not validated by healthcare professionals, many looked to social media for information, support, and understanding, and saw explant as their only chance of recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

BII is disabling mentally and physically. Women with BII require support, understanding, and validation, and proactive treatment to prevent disability. With unclear pathophysiology, future research should examine how biopsychosocial approaches can be used to guide treatment, and how to best support women with BII, focusing on early detection and evidence-based education and intervention.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Commentary on: Understanding Breast Implant Illness

BACKGROUND

Breast implant surgery is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed globally. A subset of women with breast implants report experiencing a myriad of disabling and distressing physical and psychological symptoms attributed to their implants. Social media groups have coined the condition "breast implant illness" (BII). Little to no scientific research currently exists for BII.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of women with BII (both those with implants still in place and those who have explanted) and compare them with those of a control group of women with implants who do not report BII.

METHODS

Women with self-reported BII and implants still in place (n = 51), self-reported BII who had explanted (n = 60), and women with implants in place without BII (n = 58) completed online self-report questionnaires about their symptoms, physical and mental health, health service use patterns, and lifestyle factors (eg, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption).

RESULTS

Women with BII, regardless of whether they had undergone explant surgery, reported experiencing more severe somatic symptoms, higher depression, anxiety and health anxiety, and poorer physical health than women without BII.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the causes, risk factors, long-term effects, and potential interventions for women who experience BII.

Breast implants: saline or silicone?

The United States has seen significant shifts in the breast implant market over the past five decades. From the moratorium on silicone gel breast implants in 1992 to their approval in 2006, there have been many developments in their manufacturing and usage. Meanwhile, saline breast implants have remained somewhat unchanged, still offering a few distinct advantages but none of the technological innovation of the silicone gel models. In this article, the authors review the current state of silicone gel and saline implants, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Much of the current data on complications of gel and saline implants are examined, as well as some practical implications associated with the use of each implant type.