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“I didn’t even need implants.”
Those were the first words my patient shared at her two-week follow-up after breast implant removal. She had chosen removal because of anxiety surrounding her implants. Then she told me something even more remarkable: her anxiety was completely gone.
I can’t explain her experience from a medical standpoint, and her improvement does not establish that her implants caused her anxiety or that removal would provide the same relief for someone else. But seeing a patient describe freedom from debilitating anxiety is deeply rewarding. I was delighted for her.
I am seeing more women considering breast implant removal in my practice. Some have symptoms they associate with their implants. Others feel anxious about breast implant illness, commonly called BII, or reports of the rare lymphoma associated primarily with textured implants. Still others simply feel that their implants no longer fit their bodies or lifestyles.
Patients encounter an enormous amount of information online. Its quality varies, but the concerns it creates are real and deserve a thoughtful, respectful conversation.
Most of my patients who have chosen implant removal tell me they have no regrets. Some also report improvement in symptoms they associated with their implants, although relief cannot be promised.
My role is to listen, evaluate each woman’s situation, and explain her options—including what her breasts may look like after removal. For this patient, the most meaningful change was the peace of mind she described. Her words said it best.
