What Is Breast Implant Illness? (Part 1 of 5)

Hi friend, if you’re here, you might be feeling confused, scared, or just plain tired of not being heard. Take a breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not “imagining it.” In this first post about BII, I’ll explain in simple, human language what Breast Implant Illness (BII) is, why it’s so confusing, and why so many women only discover it after years of chasing answers.

I’ll keep this gentle, clear, and honest, like a conversation in my treatment room.

The simplest way to say it:

Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a name many women use to describe a wide set of symptoms they experience after getting breast implants. These symptoms can affect the whole body, energy, sleep, joints, skin, mood, hormones, breathing, and more.

Two important truths can live together:

• BII isn’t an official medical diagnosis (yet) and some doctors don’t recognize it.

• Real people are having real symptoms that often improve after proper evaluation and, for many, after implant removal.

Research is ongoing. There is also a known cancer linked to certain textured implants called breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). That alone tells us implants can interact with the body in serious ways and deserve careful attention.

Why BII can affect so many parts of the body

Your body is wise. It knows what belongs and what doesn’t. An implant is a foreign object, so from day one your body builds a protective capsule of scar tissue around it, which creates walled off separation of the implant and the nearby organs and tissues. That’s the body trying to keep you safe.

Over time, several things may contribute to symptoms for some women:

• Chronic immune activation: Your immune system may stay “on alert” trying to manage the foreign object.

• Inflammation: Long-term “on alert” can feel like fatigue, brain fog, pain, rashes, or “I just don’t feel like myself.”

• What’s inside or on the implant/capsule (and why the capsule forms): As I mentioned before, your body intentionally builds a scar-tissue capsule to wall off the foreign implant and protect you. However, that capsule can also sequester bacteria/biofilms, mold, chemical residues, and multiple heavy metals; when present, these can irritate tissues and meaningfully add to the body’s total toxic load.

• Biofilms: Tiny communities of bacteria can form slimy protective layers on the implant or capsule. Biofilms make microbes harder for your immune system (and even some antibiotics) to clear, and they can shed irritants that keep inflammation simmering.

• Bio-individuality: Genetics, gut health, infections (like mold exposure, Lyme, parasites), stress, nutrition, and environmental chemicals all change how each person responds. Two women with the same implants can have completely different experiences.

Think of your body like a bucket. Every stressor, big or small, drips into that bucket. When the bucket overflows, symptoms start. For some, implants add enough extra “drips” to push things over the edge.

“But my lab work is normal…”

You’re not crazy. Standard blood tests are helpful but often miss functional problems, early imbalances, hidden infections, or toxin load. “Normal range” simply means “common in the population,” not “optimal for you.” Many women with BII symptoms have normal labs and still feel unwell. That’s your inner compass. Trust it.

Common symptoms women report

Not everyone has all of these, and you may move between groups over time. Grouping them can make patterns easier to see.

Cognitive and neurological

• Brain fog, memory slips, trouble finding words

• Headaches or migraines, dizziness

• Numbness or tingling

Musculoskeletal pain

• Achy joints, sore muscles, stiffness

Systemic and immune system

• Deep fatigue, feeling “inflamed” or unwell

• Recurrent infections

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Temperature swings, hot flashes, chills

Skin, hair, and thyroid

• Rashes, itchy or reactive skin

• Hair thinning or hair loss

• Thyroid irregularities, unexpected weight changes

Cardio-respiratory

• Heart palpitations

• Shortness of breath or chest tightness

Mental & emotional

• Anxiety, depression, mood swings, sleep issues

If you just read that and thought, “Oh my gosh, that’s me,” please know many women have had the exact same moment. It can feel scary, but it’s also a turning point, because now you have a direction.

“Why did my symptoms start months, or years, later?”

Bodies are different. Some women notice changes within months. Others feel fine for years and then symptoms slowly stack up. 

A few reasons:

• Genetics & detox pathways: Some of us have variants (for example, in methylation pathways like MTHFR, one of many) that makes breaking compounds down harder in the natural elimination process.

• Gut health: Your gut makes neurotransmitters for the brain and shapes your immune response. If the gut is inflamed, mood and energy can crash.

• Other exposures: Moldy homes, past tick bites (Lyme), parasites, heavy stress, each adds to the “bucket.”

• Hormonal shifts: Pregnancy, perimenopause, or big life stress can tip the balance.

What about the capsule and testing?

When women choose removal, many surgeons will send the implants and capsule to a lab to look for bacteria, mold, or other findings. That information can guide the next steps in healing. (We’ll talk more about surgery options and aftercare in Part 3.)

Where does Manual Lymph Drainage fit?

I’m a Vodder-trained MLD therapist, so I think a lot about the lymphatic system, your body’s quiet river for immune traffic and waste removal. 

When one’s system is overloaded or inflamed, gentle, skilled lymph work can support flow, reduce puffiness and tenderness, and help you feel more regulated. It’s not a cure, and it’s not a replacement for medical care, but it can be a very comforting, supportive layer in a bigger plan. 

We’ll get deeper into this in Parts 2-5.

The heart of the matter

• You’re not broken. Your body is signaling.

• You’re not alone. Many women have walked this path.

• You’re not stuck. With the right team and a step-by-step plan, women do get better.

This series is here to help you feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.

What’s next

• Part 2: How BII Shows Up in the Body (Inflammation, the lymphatic system, gut–brain links, and why symptoms can “hop” around.)

• Part 3: Paths to Relief (Questions to ask your medical team, how to track patterns, supportive lifestyle shifts, and the role of MLD alongside care.)

• Part 4: Planning Your Explant, Choosing the Right Team & Approach (How to choose your surgeon, key questions to ask, red flags, insurance basics, en bloc/total capsulectomy vs. partial approaches, and decision-making frameworks.)

• Part 5: Surgery Day & Aftercare, Healing, Aesthetics, and MLD (Prehab/rehab timelines, drains & swelling management, MLD before/after, scar care, lift vs. no lift, fat transfer to the breast, aesthetic flat closure options, and nipple/areola tattoo considerations.)

In the meantime, if your inner voice is saying “something isn’t right,” listen to her. She’s your wisest guide.