Photo Credit: Dr. Marco Ellis

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Marco Ellis specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. His unique training, experience and knowledge in facial surgery give him unparalleled expertise in assessing facial form. Dr. Ellis is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Neurological Surgery at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Ellis is also an adjunct assistant professor and Director of Microsurgery and Breast Services at the University of Illinois Chicago in the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery. Haute Beauty chats with Dr. Marco Ellis about breast implant illness, and what you need to know about it. 

There has been some recent concern by patients that breast implants can be related to a chronic illness. Many women have developed support groups to inform each other about the range of symptoms and possible treatment options. This phenomenon is in its infancy and has little scientific evidence to confirm the association. Nonetheless, there are a few women who believe their autoimmune diagnoses and chronic pain are related to breast implants. Some common symptoms include fatigue, headache, rib/ armpit tightness and pain, night sweats, abdominal pains, and GI upset, and arthritis. 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

In our office, we are seeing more patients over the last two years with these concerns. Since we are still collecting information, we have no firm guidelines. Women who have implants for augmentation are treated with implant removal and total capsule excision. Those women with breast cancer diagnoses and previous mastectomy, frequently undergo abdominal best breast reconstruction.

Our office’s early results have not shown any rise in inflammatory markers or bacterial colonization. But, we can report anecdotally that women fee better knowing they’ve explored all their options that may contribute to their symptoms.