You have noticed recently that you are unusually fatigued. Your joints are always sore, and perhaps you feel a little brain fog. You dismiss it as exhaustion, but the symptoms persist. You may even notice swelling around your breast implants, and suddenly, you’re faced with a variety of health concerns. If you have breast implants, these symptoms could be signs of silicone toxicity, a serious condition that can occur when silicone from implants leaks into the body.
If you identify with these symptoms, it’s important to seek the guidance of a skilled plastic surgeon, like Dr. Shaher Khan at Executive Plastic Surgery, who is known for his expertise in safely addressing issues related to implants—both silicone and saline. Dr. Khan specializes in breast implant illness (BII) and offers comprehensive solutions for women experiencing complications from their implants. This article will explore what silicone toxicity is, how breast implants can lead to it, and the signs and symptoms you should be aware of.
What is silicone toxicity?
Silicone is a synthetic material made from silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, commonly used in a variety of products, from medical devices to cookware. Despite its widespread use and general safety for many applications, exposure to silicone—especially when it enters the body—can lead to what is known as silicone toxicity. This occurs when silicone leaks from implants, like breast implants, or when it’s used in injectable forms, such as lip fillers.
The body’s reaction to silicone can vary depending on the individual, the amount of exposure, and whether the silicone is contained in a device or allowed to migrate throughout the body. Silicone toxicity can cause a range of symptoms, many of which are often mistaken for other conditions. If you have breast implants, it’s essential to seek advice from a breast explant surgeon like Dr. Shaher Khan.
Can breast implants lead to silicone toxicity?
Yes, breast implants can lead to silicone toxicity. While implants are FDA-approved, there have been increasing concerns about their long-term effects on patients.
It doesn’t matter if you have saline or silicone implants—the outer shell of both types is made of silicone. If you have a silicone implant and it ruptures, the silicone material can leak and migrate to other parts of the body, potentially triggering health issues ranging from mild irritation to severe autoimmune responses. Even if you have a saline implant, the silicone shell can degrade and break down, leading to the release of silicone particles into the body.
Even if an implant remains intact, some patients experience symptoms commonly associated with silicone toxicity, known as breast implant illness (BII). This condition is not well understood yet but is characterized by a combination of symptoms related to the immune system’s reaction to silicone. As such, whether you have saline implants or silicone implants, regardless of whether there’s a rupture, there’s an inherent risk of silicone toxicity.
Signs and symptoms of silicone toxicity
If you have breast implants—silicone or saline—and are experiencing unexplained health issues, you may be dealing with silicone toxicity. Below are common signs to be aware of:
Fatigue and brain fog
One of the first and most common signs of silicone toxicity is extreme fatigue, often accompanied by brain fog. You may feel mentally sluggish, have difficulty concentrating, and struggle with memory. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve always been energetic and sharp. These symptoms can be linked to the body’s immune response to silicone.
Joint pain and muscle aches
Many patients with silicone toxicity experience unexplained joint pain and muscle aches. These are commonly associated with autoimmune conditions. You may notice pain in your hands, knees, or other joints, often without any apparent injury. If you’ve had breast implants and experience ongoing, unexplained joint discomfort, it could be related to silicone exposure.
Skin rashes and sensitivity
Another common sign of silicone toxicity is the development of skin rashes or increased sensitivity to sunlight. These rashes may appear as red, inflamed patches and may worsen over time. For some, exposure to silicone can trigger an allergic reaction that manifests on the skin. Additionally, if your skin becomes unusually sensitive to light, it could be another warning sign.
Chest pain or tightness
If you have breast implants and begin to feel unexplained chest pain or tightness, this could be a sign of breast implant illness. A ruptured or leaking implant can cause discomfort, swelling, or changes in the appearance of the breast. In some cases, silicone that leaks into the surrounding tissue can lead to inflammation, which may result in chest pain.
Lumps or changes in breast tissue
A sudden development of lumps in your breast or noticeable changes in breast shape could indicate a ruptured implant or the breakdown of the silicone shell—regardless of whether the implant is saline or silicone-filled. As the silicone shell degrades, silicone particles can escape and accumulate in surrounding tissue. In response, the body’s immune system may attempt to encapsulate the silicone, leading to lump formation. In this case, contact Dr. Khan promptly.
Hair loss
Silicone toxicity can also affect the health of your hair. Some patients experience hair thinning or hair loss as a result of an autoimmune response to silicone in the body. If your hair has been thinning unexpectedly, especially alongside other symptoms of silicone toxicity, this could be a sign that the material is causing an inflammatory reaction in your system.
Symptoms of BIA-ALCL
One of the more serious risks associated with breast implants is the development of a rare type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Symptoms of BIA-ALCL include breast enlargement, hardening, or asymmetry, often accompanied by fluid collection around the implant, typically appearing at least a year after implantation. If you experience these symptoms, contact Dr. Khan immediately.
What to do if you suspect silicone toxicity
If you suspect that your symptoms are related to silicone toxicity, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider who understands the complexities of breast implants and their risks. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Khan at Executive Plastic Surgery, he specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions like breast implant illness. Through his unique approach, including the gold standard in breast implant removal techniques, Dr. Khan helps patients recover from silicone-related health issues and restores their overall well-being.
