Mr Paul Banwell, Plastic Surgeon, treats Breast Implant Illness (BII)

19th November 2018

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a rare condition which affects ladies with a hypersensitive immune system. In predisposed individuals, any implanted foreign body such as a breast implant, dental implant, coil, orthopaedic implant and heart implants can potentially lead to systemic symptoms including joint pain, headaches, numbness, tingling, ‘brain fog’, dizziness and other autoimmune type problems. Over two decades ago there were some concerns that in a small minority of patients breast implants could be responsible for systemic joint pains and non-specific fatigue-type symptoms within the body. The so-called ‘silicone crisis’ was thought to be due autoimmune-mediated events within the body but independent government scientific reviews around the world found no apparent causal relationship between silicone and auto-immune mediated problems.

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a rare condition which affects ladies with a hypersensitive immune system. In predisposed individuals, any implanted foreign body such as a breast implant, dental implant, coil, orthopaedic implant and heart implants can potentially lead to systemic symptoms including joint pain, headaches, numbness, tingling, ‘brain fog’, dizziness and other autoimmune type problems. Over two decades ago there were some concerns that in a small minority of patients breast implants could be responsible for systemic joint pains and non-specific fatigue-type symptoms within the body. The so-called ‘silicone crisis’ was thought to be due autoimmune-mediated events within the body but independent government scientific reviews around the world found no apparent causal relationship between silicone and auto-immune mediated problems.

However, such patients who present with a variety of these unexplained symptoms often seem to get better when their implants are removed. Despite the ongoing controversy in the medical profession, Mr Banwell has seen the significant (and sometimes immediate) benefit of implant removal (explant) in these patients. The most obvious theory is that their immune system may have caused a hypersensitive response to the breast implant/prosthesis (a predisposed individual may also have a family history of autoimmune problems and can also be affected by any other implanted foreign bodies such as dental implants, orthopaedic implants and heart implants).

If you believe your breast implants may be causing you a problem this please do call the office to arrange a consultation with Mr Banwell in East Grinstead, Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Haywards Heath or in Harley Street London. The office number is 01342 330302. Email help@paulebanwell.com Mr Banwell is happy to discuss explant surgery and en bloc capsulectomy as required.

Back to Blog

• Share this article: