The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has warned women with breast implants about the potential risks linked involved in the procedure. While, Breast Implant Illness (BII) may not be a medically recognised condition, surgeons say that women who undergo cosmetic surgery should be given a prior warning. The 'Victoria Derbyshire programme' found out that many women have experienced complications associated with their breast implants, which they had not been warned about. Reportedly, women who were undergoing various health concerns, returned to normalcy after their implants were removed. Woman's Botched up Breast Implants Turned Them Into 'Rocks'! Know about Capsular Contracture.

There have been incidents of women suffering from breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In March, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said BIA-ALCL is most likely caused by textured breast implants that act as a coating, but they did not take the implants off the market as they wanted to continue studying the disease and tracking such cases. Breast Implant Unsafe? USFDA Re-Examines Safety Concern, as Women Complain of Problems Post Surgery.

A 28-year-old fitness instructor Naomi Macarthur who decided to get breast implants in 2014 said she began to suffer "the most horrific symptoms". She told BBC: "I remember getting severe pain in my stomach. And the tiredness was like I had run a marathon and dug a million trenches and I hadn't done anything. Writing with a pen was too tiring." She also used to suffer from hair loss, allergies and rashes. Chronic Stress Can Speed Up Breast Cancer Development; Fear, Negativity and Anxiety Become Risk Factors.

What is Breast Implant Illness?

The link between breast implants and systemic disease has been reported since the 1960s. While many studies have looked into it, none could confirm it as a medical issue. BII occurs in women who have breast implants and is described by a variety of symptoms which are directly connected to silicone implants. Chinese Company Says Drinking Its Coconut Milk Will Help Women Get Enlarged Breasts.

Symptoms of Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness has a set of symptoms:

  • Autoimmune disorders

  • Muscle pain

  • Fatigue

  • Digestive issues

  • Inflammation

  • Bowel problems

  • Weakness

  • Hair loss

  • Cognitive difficulties

Some of the complications associated with BII include:

  • Bruising

  • Blood clots

  • Skin necrosis

  • Slowed wound healing

  • Thinning of your breast tissue and skin

  • Calcium deposits

  • Breast discomfort

  • Nipple discharge.

Treatment

While BII doesn't have an official diagnosis, some women who believe they had the condition have reported that they returned to full health after removing their implants.

Possible Effects of BBI

  • Capsular contracture (the painful tightening of the scar tissue around the implant)

  • Breakage

  • Micro-leakage (sweating or bleeding of silicone outside the shell)

  • Silicone leakage to the lymphatic system

  • Interference with the accuracy of mammography

  • Immune disorders

  • Cancer

In March, the Food and Drug Administration issued a broad statement to all medical device manufacturers stating that more long-term testing should be done. They explained: "While the FDA doesn't have definitive evidence suggesting breast implants are associated with these conditions, we're looking to gain a fuller understanding of this issue to communicate risk, minimize harm and help in the treatment of affected patients."

It is estimated that of the 400,000 women who get breast implants each year, about one in 10 has textured implants. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 457 cases in the US have been linked between textured breast implants and the disease since 2011.

According to a 1992 study in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, approximately 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 women in the United States have had silicone breast implants inserted for reconstruction or augmentation mammaplasty; 28 of those patients have been reported to have developed a systemic autoimmune disease.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2019 04:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).