The number of U.S women having their breast implants removed increased by 47% in 2021
The plastic surgery of breast augmentation is no longer a trend among women. In spite of helping women boost their self-confidence, enhance breasts' appearance, size and volume, it also appears to have a questionable downside to it. According to statistics from The Aesthetic Society, more than 71,284 American women had their implants removed in 2021 and not replaced, meaning a change of 47% versus the previous year with 48,358. There has also been a demand of 147,684 requests for removal of replacement implants with an increase by 32% compared to 2020 with 111,583 removal surgeries.
In line with the data from Statista, the United States, Brazil, Russia, Mexico and Germany are the leading countries for surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgeries worldwide, followed along with liposuction and eyelid surgery. Although, the popularity and demand of cosmetic procedures can vary from country to country. Even so, women in the U.S are preferring to remove their breast implants to prevent new issues.
Plastic surgeons Abby Culver and Christine Carman Stiles from the UTSouthwestern Medical Center in Texas, are currently studying about the possibility of a new implant disease. Throughout 2022, they received many patients complaining about a list of symptoms that could potentially be BII, or also known for breast implant illness. The list are indicators of:
Anxiety or depression
Brain fog
Chronic fatigue
Dry mouth and dry eyes
Gastrointestinal problems
Hair loss
Headaches
Memory Deficit
Joint or muscle pain
Rashes and skin problems
Weight changes
Trouble sleeping
Whilst, the experts mentioned that they are still studying about the causes of the symptoms and ‘’it is not a formal diagnosis, several new studies are investigating potential causes for the symptoms, which are wide-ranging and very real’’ declared them on their platform. Furthermore, Cleveland Clinic, stated in a recent study, whether women with saline-filled or silicone-filled implants could present those symptoms for BII. Symptoms can also start soon after surgery or later in some years.
Recently, breast implant illness has become more widely known due to the increase of women sharing their personal stories on social media. In March 2022, the anti-speciesism influencer Sophia Esperanza, posted on Instagram about her whole relationship with her breast implants. The vegan content creator also shared a Video on her Youtube Channel in which she talks about the reality and the long term consequences since getting the implants years ago, ‘’They were never for me, they never had a place in my body’’ affirmed Esperanza. After testifying about the amplification of her autoimmune symptoms and also BII disease she finally opts for explanting and shows the removal surgery of her breast with Dr. Chopra in the same video.
In some cases, removal of the implants is reported to reverse symptoms of breast implants illness. Nevertheless, more than 100 symptoms were related to BII and it could be associated with other conditions like lupus, arthritis, rheumatoid, and Lyme Disease. Menopause and fibromyalgia can also cause symptoms similar to those of breast implant illness. Therefore, to have a proper diagnosis, it is important to contact a reliable plastic surgeon or other certified specialist to determine if those symptoms are truly coming due to the breast implants.
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