How Common is Breast Implant Illness? Common Questions Answered

You may have chosen breast implants years ago to restore confidence, enhance your shape, or feel more like yourself. But over time, perhaps you’ve begun noticing unusual symptoms: fatigue that won’t go away, joint pain, brain fog, hair loss, or chronic inflammation that seems to have no clear cause. These experiences can be frightening, especially when tests offer no answers.

At Executive Plastic Surgery in Bloomfield Township, our double board-certified surgeon, Dr. Shaher Khan, has dedicated his career to helping women understand, identify, and heal from breast implant illness (BII), a complex condition caused by the body’s reaction to breast implants. As a BII specialist and the king of explants, Dr. Khan provides compassionate care through The Khan Procedure, the gold standard in safe and complete implant removal.

In this article, we answer some of the most common questions about BII.

How common is breast implant illness?

While exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, breast implant illness is far more common than many realize. The FDA estimates that hundreds of thousands of women in the United States undergo breast implant surgery each year, and growing data suggest that a significant percentage develop symptoms consistent with BII.

Reported cases range from mild fatigue to debilitating autoimmune-type symptoms. Many women go years without recognizing that their implants are the cause. Patient reports reveal that BII can develop with both saline and silicone implants, regardless of manufacturer, texture, or fill material. It may appear within months or even decades after implantation.

The condition is underdiagnosed because it isn’t yet officially classified as a medical disorder, but awareness campaigns and surgeons like Dr. Khan have brought much-needed attention to the reality of BII. Thousands of patients experience dramatic improvements in their symptoms following en bloc or total capsulectomy explant surgery.

What causes breast implant illness?

The exact cause of BII remains multifactorial. Implants are foreign objects, and your immune system may react to them as such. Some possible triggers include:

• Chronic inflammation: The body’s immune response to the silicone shell or internal filler material can create long-term inflammation.
• Bacterial biofilm: Microscopic bacteria can form on the implant surface, leading to subtle but ongoing immune activation.
• Heavy metals and silicone particles: Leaching or degradation of the implant material may trigger systemic symptoms.
• Genetic predisposition: Some individuals are naturally more prone to autoimmune reactions.

The only definitive way to treat BII is the complete removal of the implants and their capsules. Partial removals often leave behind scar tissue that continues to trigger inflammation. The Khan Procedure, offered by Dr. Shaher Khan, ensures that both the implant and capsule are excised as one cohesive block, giving patients the best chance for full recovery.

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?

Because BII affects each person differently, symptoms can vary widely. The most common complaints include:

• Persistent fatigue and muscle weakness
• Joint or muscle pain
• Brain fog, memory loss, or poor concentration
• Anxiety, depression, or mood changes
• Autoimmune-like symptoms such as skin rashes, dry eyes, and chronic pain
• Hair loss, insomnia, or hormonal imbalance

These symptoms often appear gradually and are mistaken for aging, stress, or other health conditions. However, countless women report that their symptoms begin to subside within days or weeks after their implants are removed. Dr. Khan has witnessed firsthand how patients rediscover their energy, mental clarity, and sense of self after years of suffering.

Can breast implant illness happen to anyone?

Yes. Anyone with breast implants can develop BII, regardless of the type, brand, or placement technique. It affects patients with both saline and silicone implants, textured or smooth surfaces, and even those who’ve had multiple revision surgeries.
There’s no reliable way to predict who will develop symptoms. Some patients experience severe reactions soon after surgery, while others live symptom-free for years before a sudden onset. It’s crucial to listen to your body and seek an evaluation if symptoms arise.

How is breast implant illness diagnosed and treated?

There’s no single laboratory test for diagnosing BII. Diagnosis depends on your medical history, symptoms, and whether you currently have or previously had implants. Because symptoms overlap with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, many patients go through months or sometimes even years of misdiagnoses before finding answers.

Treatment involves the complete removal of the implant, including the scar tissue capsule surrounding it. Dr. Khan performs this through “The Khan Procedure”, an advanced en bloc capsulectomy technique that removes the implant and capsule as a single unit. This approach minimizes contamination, inflammation, and the risk of residual symptoms.

Dr. Khan’s patients often report significant symptom relief within days to weeks after surgery. For others, full recovery may take several months as inflammation resolves.

Can breast implant illness be prevented?

The most effective prevention is not to get breast implants at all. While some practitioners describe implants as “generally safe,” Dr. Khan firmly disagrees: there is no risk-free version of a foreign body placed inside the human system. Even so-called “safer” or “new generation” implants can cause inflammatory or autoimmune responses.

If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, pain, or brain fog and currently have breast implants, it’s time to listen to your body. Breast implant illness is real, and recovery is possible. Dr. Shaher Khan, widely regarded as the king of explants, offers compassionate solutions to help patients safely remove their implants and regain their health and confidence. Reach out today to schedule your consultation.