Can Breast Implant Illness Cause Weight Gain?

If you've noticed unexplained weight gain alongside other perplexing health issues, you may be wondering if your implants are the cause. This post will explore the connection, delving into what breast implant illness is, its common symptoms, and how it might contribute to weight fluctuations.

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast Implant Illness refers to a collection of symptoms that some women experience after getting breast implants. These symptoms can range widely but often include fatigue, joint pain, memory issues, anxiety, hair thinning, and even skin rashes. BII is believed to be an autoimmune or inflammatory response triggered by the body’s reaction to the implant material—whether silicone or saline.

In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledged thousands of reports linking breast implants to systemic symptoms. Since then, more women have come forward, especially on social media, describing unexplained health declines that began after implant surgery and improved following implant removal (explant surgery).

How Common Is Breast Implant Illness?

There’s no exact number that tells us how common Breast Implant Illness is, largely because it remains underreported and underdiagnosed. Many women suffer symptoms for years without making the connection to their implants—or without being taken seriously by healthcare providers.

According to the FDA, by the end of 2020, they had received over 100,000 reports from patients and healthcare professionals regarding breast implant-related complications. Of those, thousands cited symptoms consistent with BII. Additionally, a 2021 study published in the journal Annals of Plastic Surgery suggested that up to 30% of women with implants may experience some symptoms related to systemic illness.

However, the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria makes quantification difficult. Some experts estimate that 1 in 3 to 1 in 5 women with implants may develop symptoms at some point—though not all will attribute them to their implants or pursue explant surgery.

Can Breast Implant Illness Cause Weight Gain?

Weight gain isn’t the first symptom most people associate with Breast Implant Illness—but yes, it can happen. While not all women with BII report weight changes, hormonal imbalances and inflammation linked to the illness may contribute to unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

Here’s how it works:

• Inflammation: Chronic, low-grade inflammation—a hallmark of BII—can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate metabolism. Inflammatory cytokines can disrupt insulin sensitivity and increase fat storage, particularly around the midsection.
• Hormonal Disruption: Some women with BII report thyroid dysfunction or adrenal fatigue, which are linked to weight fluctuations, especially unwanted weight gain despite regular diet and exercise.
• Reduced Physical Activity: Fatigue, joint pain, and other BII symptoms can sap your energy and limit your physical activity levels—making it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
• Cortisol and Stress: Living with chronic symptoms can increase stress levels. This in turn raises cortisol, a hormone that promotes fat retention, especially visceral fat.

If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain and have breast implants, it’s worth bringing this up with your healthcare provider. Keep track of all your symptoms, and consider working with a functional medicine doctor or integrative specialist familiar with BII.

The Connection: Breast Implant Illness Weight Gain Explained

Now, let's address the central question: can BII lead to weight gain? For many women, unexplained and stubborn weight gain is a primary concern. The connection isn't straightforward, but it can be explained by the systemic disruption BII causes in the body. There are several potential mechanisms behind breast implant illness and weight gain.

1. Chronic Inflammation: The body’s ongoing immune response to the implants creates a state of chronic inflammation. This inflammation can disrupt metabolic function and interfere with the hormones that regulate appetite and fat storage, such as leptin and ghrelin. Over time, this can make it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it.
2. Hormonal Imbalance and Cortisol: Chronic physical stress from inflammation can lead to elevated cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone. High cortisol is directly linked to increased abdominal fat, insulin resistance, and sugar cravings, creating a perfect storm for weight gain. Furthermore, some researchers believe the inflammatory process can interfere with thyroid function, a key regulator of metabolism.
3. Reduced Physical Activity: The debilitating fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches associated with BII can make regular exercise feel impossible. This forced sedentary lifestyle naturally reduces calorie burn, contributing to gradual weight gain.
4. Fluid Retention: Systemic inflammation often causes the body to retain water, leading to bloating and a higher number on the scale. While not actual fat gain, this fluid retention can make you feel heavy, swollen, and uncomfortable.

For these reasons, many women find themselves gaining weight despite maintaining their usual diet and exercise routine, adding another layer of frustration to their health journey.

The Wide Spectrum of Breast Implant Illness Symptoms

Breast Implant Illness (BII) can affect every woman differently, but the hallmark is a broad range of persistent, unexplained symptoms—often involving the immune system, nervous system, and hormonal balance.

If you have breast implants and you’ve noticed health changes that don’t seem to have a clear cause, it’s important to recognize the most commonly reported BII symptoms:

Systemic and Physical Signs of Breast Implant Illness

Many women experience a constellation of symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life. The most commonly reported breast implant illness symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Joint and muscle pain
• Brain fog and memory problems
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Depression, anxiety, or mood swings
• Skin rashes or dryness
• Insomnia or poor sleep quality
• Headaches or migraines
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid issues, irregular periods)
• Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., bloating, IBS-like symptoms)
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Shortness of breath or chest discomfort
• Frequent infections or slow healing

These signs of breast implant illness can develop at any time, whether it's months or years after the initial augmentation surgery.

Breast Implant Illness Neurological Symptoms

Beyond the physical discomfort, many women report a significant cognitive and neurological decline. This "brain fog" can be one of the most distressing aspects of the illness. Common breast implant illness neurological symptoms include:

• Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety and depression
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Sleep disturbances and insomnia

These symptoms highlight how BII can be a whole-body condition, affecting not just physical well-being but mental clarity and emotional health as well.

What Causes Breast Implant Illness?

The exact cause of Breast Implant Illness isn’t fully understood—but most researchers and integrative health experts agree: BII is likely a multifactorial condition. That means there’s no single cause, but rather a combination of factors that may trigger symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Potential causes include:

1. Chronic Inflammation

Your body recognizes the implant as a foreign object. Over time, this can lead to chronic immune activation and widespread inflammation. This persistent immune response may drive many of the symptoms you feel, from fatigue to joint pain.

2. Silicone or Chemical Sensitivity

Even saline implants have silicone shells and may contain trace elements of heavy metals or other chemicals used during manufacturing. If you’re sensitive to these materials—or your body struggles to detoxify them—they can build up and trigger systemic symptoms.

3. Biofilm and Low-Grade Infection

Some studies suggest that bacteria can form biofilms on the implant surface, leading to chronic, low-grade infections. These don’t always show up in tests, but can cause ongoing immune stress.

4. Autoimmune Response

Some women develop symptoms resembling autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is sometimes referred to as Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA)—a theory that breast implants (and other medical devices) can stimulate autoimmune conditions in genetically predisposed individuals.

5. Implant Rupture or Leakage

In the case of silicone implants, leakage—even microscopic—can allow silicone particles to migrate to other tissues, possibly amplifying immune reactions.

Who Is at Risk of Breast Implant Illness?

Breast Implant Illness can affect anyone with breast implants, but some women appear to be more susceptible than others.

1. Have a history of autoimmune disease

Women with conditions like Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia may already have an overactive immune system. Implants can potentially trigger or worsen symptoms in these cases.

2. Have chemical or metal sensitivities

If you’ve ever reacted to metals, dental fillings, or ingredients in skincare or medications, you might also react to compounds used in implants.

3. Have a family history of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions

Genetics plays a role. If close relatives have autoimmune disease, your immune system may be more prone to misfiring in response to a foreign device like an implant.

4. Have chronic allergies or inflammatory conditions

Asthma, eczema, seasonal allergies, and chronic infections may be signs that the immune system is already on high alert.

How Is Breast Implant Illness Diagnosed?

One of the biggest challenges with Breast Implant Illness (BII) is that there’s no official test or diagnostic criteria—at least not yet. Diagnosis is often based on a combination of symptom patterns, medical history, and the exclusion of other conditions. That makes it a clinical diagnosis, not a lab-based one.

Here's what the diagnostic process typically involves:

1. Detailed Symptom Review

Your doctor will look for common BII symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, rashes, and hormonal imbalances. You should share when symptoms started and how they’ve progressed since your implant surgery.

2. Exclusion of Other Conditions

To rule out conditions with similar symptoms—like autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, or Lyme disease—your provider may order blood tests, imaging, or referrals to specialists. This step is crucial because BII symptoms often overlap with other chronic illnesses.

3. Assessment of Implant History

The type of implant (saline or silicone), the implant's age, surgical complications (e.g., rupture or capsular contracture), and prior surgeries can all provide important context.

What Is the Treatment of Breast Implant Illness?

The most effective treatment for Breast Implant Illness is explant surgery—surgical removal of the implants and the surrounding scar tissue, known as the capsule.

Here’s what treatment typically involves:

1. En Bloc or Total Capsulectomy

This is when the implant and capsule are removed together, in one piece, without opening the capsule. This approach minimizes the risk of silicone leakage or chemical contamination during surgery. Not every surgeon offers this technique, so it’s important to ask during consultations.

2. Detoxification and Healing Support

After explant, your body may need time to recover. Many women find it helpful to work with functional medicine practitioners, nutritionists, or naturopaths who can support detox pathways and reduce inflammation through diet, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments.

3. Monitoring Recovery

Symptom improvement varies from person to person. Some women report immediate relief after explant; others see gradual recovery over several months. Common improvements include more energy, clearer thinking, fewer joint pains, and stabilized mood.

One 2021 study found that over 80% of women experienced symptom relief within a year of explant surgery.

4. Emotional and Psychological Support

Explanting is not just a physical decision—it’s emotional. You may need to work through changes in self-image or identity. Connecting with BII support groups or mental health professionals can help you process this part of recovery.

When to See Your Surgeon

If you have breast implants and you’re experiencing new, worsening, or unexplained symptoms, it’s time to speak with your plastic surgeon—or a second opinion surgeon who’s knowledgeable about Breast Implant Illness.

Here are key signs it's time to schedule a consultation:

• You’ve developed chronic fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, or autoimmune-like symptoms
• Your symptoms began or worsened after getting implants
• You’ve ruled out other medical conditions, but still feel unwell
• You’re noticing implant-related issues like hardening, shifting, or visible distortion
• You’re concerned about implant rupture or capsular contracture
• You’re considering explant surgery and want to understand your options

Don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. The earlier you take action, the more options you’ll have and the sooner you can begin recovering. It’s your body—you have every right to advocate for your health and get answers.

Are you experiencing symptoms you believe may be related to your breast implants? It's time to start a conversation with a professional who understands. Contact our office today to schedule a compassionate and comprehensive consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in breast implant illness and explant procedures.