Breast Implant Illness and Explant Protocol
Could your implants be making you sick? Breast Implant Illness has started to gain airtime in the mainstream and can be a driver of dysfunction for women who have had breast augmentation. Symptoms can manifest as soon as days after surgery or may take years to develop and some women are more susceptible than others based on genetic factors, environmental exposures, and other lifestyle factors that might tip over their toxin bucket.
What causes Breast Implant Illness?
Breast Implant Illness or BII is an inflammatory response to the breast implant itself, or to bacteria and their biofilms that grow on the surface of the implant or within the capsule of scar tissue surrounding the implant. BII is also referred to as Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Syndrome Induced By Adjuvants--though it is unknown whether it is the implant materials or merely the presence of a foreign object that causes an autoimmune or inflammatory response.
While there is no official diagnostic test for Breast Implant Illness, common symptoms to look for include:
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue
- Memory loss
- Poor concentration
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dysbiosis
- Constipation
- Hair Loss
- Dry Eyes
- Puffy Eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Dry Mouth
- Swollen Lymph Nodes (often near breast implant or armpit)
- Shortness of breath
- Skin Rashes
- Joint Pain
- Recurring Infections
- Autoimmune Disease
The FDA actually issued a safety bulletin in 2022 noting that there have been reports of cancer including lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma have been found in the capsule that forms around breast implants.
Should I get my implants out?
Undergoing explant surgery is a very personal decision but if driving dynamic imbalance in the body should be strongly considered. Check out Episode 338 of the Naturally Nourished Podcast where we interview a plastic surgeon on his experience with breast implant illness and considerations for explant.
What can I do now to support my health while waiting for explant surgery or if I’m not ready to have surgery yet?
If you have implants, consider these as essentials:
Cellular Antiox take 1 twice daily
Glutathione is our master antioxidant that becomes deficient with toxin overload, mold exposure and chronic infection. Paired with NAC, this can further support the liver in detoxification while also aiding in breaking down biofilms.
Reset, Restore, Renew Detox Packs take 1 daily
These powerful packs contain nutrients to support both phase 1 and phase 2 of detoxification, helping to reduce the stress to the body created by the implants. These packs can aid in detoxification of mold and toxic metals associated with breast implants.
BroccoDetox take 1 twice daily
Provides additional potent detox support with sulforaphane and myrosinase and aids in hormone balance as we often see estrogen dominance associated with implant materials. This can also aid in reduction of breast cancer risk.
These 3 formulas are all part of our Detox and Defend Bundle, this provides savings on our top 3 detox supporting formulas!
Rebuild Spectrum Probiotic take 1 at bed daily
This can help to combat the dysbiosis associated with breast implants. It is very common to see overgrowth of candida as well as other yeast and bacteria in the body stemming from implants.
Additional Considerations Based on Risk Factors:
Vitamin D Balanced Blend take 1 daily
Vitamin D was found to be deficient in women with silicone breast implants who displayed symptoms of Breast Implant Illness. Aim for Vitamin D levels between 60-100 for best immune support and prevention of autoimmune disease. If you don’t know your levels, you can take an at home blood spot test.
Methyl Complete 1 twice daily if you have MTHFR SNPs
If you have known MTHFR genetic SNPs, you may be more susceptible to breast implant illness due to impaired detoxification pathways. You can learn more about your genetic susceptibilities with a Genetic SNP test.
Supporting Surgical Recovery
We have an entire protocol dedicated to pre and post op care so be sure to check it out so that you can be set up for success with your explant procedure. The most important formulas to highlight for explant surgery recovery are:
Inflammazyme 2-3 at rise, 2-3 at bed, additional 2-3 mid day as needed for pain (no food) Aids in reduction of scar tissue and will help to accelerate the healing process post surgery, keeping tissue supple and reducing inflammation.
Super Turmeric 1-2 up to 3x daily with food to reduce inflammation and pain
If I decide to go through explant surgery, what else can I do to rebalance my body after my implants are out?
Beat the Bloat Cleanse
2-4 weeks post surgery, do a Beat the Bloat Cleanse. This will aid in reset of the microbiome, as noted fungal infection and the presence of bacterial biofilms are common on breast implants. Our Beat the Bloat Program covers everything you need to know about this cleanse!
10 Day Detox
After you complete the Beat the Bloat Cleanse, complete our 10 Day Detox Program and plan to do a detox quarterly for at least the first year post-explant. This will further support clearing toxic metals and mold from the body and will help to get your liver back on track.
GI Lining Support 1 scoop at bed
Following your Beat the Bloat Cleanse, we recommend bringing in some gut lining support. Digestive issues are a common complaint of those suffering from breast implant illness. This formula will aid in healing and sealing leaky gut and is also helpful for post surgical tissue recovery and wound healing.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Breast Implant Illness
Infrared Sauna 2-3x/week, this will aid in elimination of toxins and heavy metals and can even help to kill microbes in the body. Check out Sunlighten for non-toxic infrared saunas that come in a variety of sizes and use code ALIMILLERRD to save.
Epsom Salt baths 2-3x/week are a great way to support magnesium status and detoxification
Dry brushing, rebounding and lymphatic drainage massage can all be helpful as well, check out this podcast on Moving Your Lymph
Lifestyle Recommendations for Breast Implant Illness
Bone Broth
Sip Bone Broth 1-2 cups daily to provide support for leaky gut and aid in healing connective tissue, making it an essential for pre and post surgery. FOND is a great, convenient option. Use code ALIMILLERRD for savings!
Cruciferous Vegetables
Consume at least 1 cup daily of cooked cruciferous vegetables (brussels, cauliflower, sprouts, kale, broccoli) these foods have indole-3-carbinols which help the body detox estrogen as well as other harmful compounds.
Naturally Nourished Grassfed Whey 1-2 scoops daily
Up to 2g/kg protein (more than double most people’s normal intake) is needed for wound healing. Plus non-denatured grassfed whey provides support for glutathione to aid in detoxification.
Naturally Nourished Pure Collagen 2-3 scoops daily
Use collagen in coffee, tea, smoothies or shakes to aid in connective tissue repair and support for skin healing post explant. This will also support gut integrity.
Probiotic Rich Foods
Incorporating cultured vegetables and kombucha are great sources of non-dairy probiotics. If you are not dealing with estrogen dominance you may consider also yogurt and keifer. Probiotic-rich foods will support a robust balanced microbiome to prevent autoimmune reaction and prevent infection.
References
Late seromas after breast implants: theory and practice
A surprising complication of breast augmentation surgery
Breast Implant Illness: A Biofilm Hypothesis