Over the past decade, women around the world, including many in Australia, have reported developing a range of unexplained symptoms after breast implant surgery. Fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, hair loss, anxiety, and skin changes are some of the most commonly described. These experiences are real and distressing for those affected. The term used to describe this pattern of symptoms is Breast Implant Illness, or BII. This article explains what BII is, what the current evidence does and does not say, how Australian regulators have responded, and what to consider if you are worried about your own implants. The aim is to give you an honest, balanced picture, not to minimise concerns or create unnecessary fear.

What is Breast Implant Illness (BII)?

Breast Implant Illness is a term used by patients and clinicians to describe a collection of systemic symptoms some women report after having breast implants. BII is not currently a single formally defined medical diagnosis. There is no specific blood test, scan, or biopsy that confirms it. Symptoms attributed to BII are non-specific, meaning they overlap with many other medical conditions, and a diagnosis is typically reached by excluding other causes.

BII is not the same as BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma). BIA-ALCL is a rare cancer of the immune system that can grow in the scar tissue around certain textured implants. Unlike BII, it has clear diagnostic criteria and defined treatment pathways. The two are often mixed up in online discussions, but they are very different conditions.

BII symptoms have been reported by women with all types of breast implants, including silicone, saline, smooth and textured. Symptoms may appear weeks, months, or many years after surgery. The majority of women with breast implants do not report these symptoms.

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?

BII symptoms vary widely between patients. The most commonly reported ones include:

Ongoing fatigue or low energy levels
Muscle aches and joint pain
Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or memory problems
Hair thinning or loss
Low mood, anxiety, or depression
Skin rashes, dryness, or newly developed sensitivities
Headaches
Disrupted sleep
Signs that look like autoimmune problems, such as dry eyes, dry mouth, or unexplained inflammation
Unexplained changes in weight
Frequent infections or a general feeling of being unwell

None of these symptoms are specific to BII. All of them show up regularly in the general population and can result from thyroid problems, autoimmune disease, nutrient deficiencies, perimenopause, poor sleep, chronic stress, or depression. This is a big part of why BII is so hard to study. If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, your GP is the right starting point, not an online symptom checklist.

What does the current evidence say about BII?

The scientific evidence on BII is still developing. Several published studies have reported that some women experience improvement in symptoms after their implants are removed (explant surgery). Other studies have found no clear relationship, or have not been able to demonstrate a consistent biological mechanism linking implants to systemic symptoms.

A few points are well supported in the literature:

Symptoms reported as BII are real and meaningful for those affected, whatever the underlying cause turns out to be.
There is no validated diagnostic test for BII at present, and no agreed clinical criteria.
Several possible biological mechanisms are being investigated, including chronic low-grade inflammation, immune response to implant materials, and bacterial biofilm colonisation of the implant capsule. None of these has been established as causal.
Symptom improvement after explant has been reported in case series, but is not guaranteed, and some women continue to experience symptoms after their implants are removed.

In Australia, breast implants are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which maintains an ongoing Breast Implant Hub with consumer information and updates. The TGA has previously taken action on certain textured implants associated with higher rates of BIA-ALCL, and from October to December 2025 conducted a post-market review of breast implants with micro transponders, resulting in the cancellation from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods of all breast implant devices containing those RFID identification chips. The TGA’s overall position is that women with concerns about their implants should be evaluated thoroughly, and that routine removal of implants is not recommended in women who are asymptomatic.

Having breast implants does not mean you will develop BII. The majority of women with implants do not report these symptoms. If you do, however, your concerns deserve careful and open-minded evaluation by your GP and a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

How is BII diagnosed?

There is no single test for BII. Diagnosis works by ruling out other conditions. Your GP and specialist will usually:

Go through your symptom history in detail
Request blood tests to check for thyroid problems, autoimmune conditions, vitamin and iron deficiencies, hormonal changes, and inflammation
Arrange imaging of the implants (ultrasound or MRI) to look for implant rupture, fluid collection, or capsular contracture (firm scar tissue around the implant)
Refer to other specialists where appropriate, such as rheumatology, endocrinology or dermatology

Capsular contracture is sometimes mistaken for BII. It is a recognised complication where the body builds up scar tissue around the implant, causing firmness, distortion or pain. This is a local issue, not a systemic one like BII, though both can occur in the same patient.

What are the treatment options for BII?

There is no single “BII treatment”. Management depends on the individual situation and may include:

Conservative management

Working through each symptom with your GP rather than treating everything as implant-related. Addressing iron deficiency, an autoimmune condition, sleep issues, mental health, or medication effects can make a real difference. Many women see significant improvement once the actual causes are found and addressed.

Explant surgery (breast implant removal)

Some women choose to have their implants removed after a thorough workup. This is called explant surgery. Depending on the circumstances, the surrounding scar capsule may be removed too (capsulectomy), sometimes as a complete capsulectomy or en-bloc capsulectomy, where the capsule and implant come out together. The right technique depends on implant type, capsule condition, and anatomy.

Symptom improvement after explant is not guaranteed. Case series report a range of outcomes: some women report significant improvement, others see only partial improvement, and some see no change at all. Explant surgery also carries real risks including bleeding, infection, scarring and changes to breast shape, which need to be part of the decision.

Implant replacement

Some women choose to have their implants removed and replaced with different implants, often smooth-surface, of a different type or size. This is breast augmentation revision surgery. Whether replacement is appropriate, and whether symptoms could recur, is part of the consultation discussion.

Should I be worried if I have breast implants?

For most women, no. Most women with breast implants never develop BII symptoms, and routine removal is not recommended for those without symptoms, including by the TGA. That said, sensible monitoring is a good idea for everyone with implants. This includes:

Knowing the brand, type, and surface (smooth or textured) of your implants, and keeping your implant card or surgeon’s records
Attending periodic check-ups as recommended by your surgeon
Following Australian breast cancer screening guidelines for your age, including mammography
Watching for any new changes in your breasts, including swelling, lumps, pain, asymmetry or skin changes, and seeking review if any develop
Speaking with your GP and your surgeon if you develop new, unexplained systemic symptoms

If you’re thinking about breast augmentation for the first time, BII is one of several risks worth talking through at your consultation. Dr Norris covers the current evidence with every patient as part of the informed consent process, alongside other known risks such as capsular contracture, rupture, asymmetry, scarring, and the rare risk of BIA-ALCL.

Why choose Dr Norris for breast implant surgery in Sydney

Dr Benjamin Norris is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Sydney with more than 20 years of training in Australia and overseas. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FRACS), and is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA registration number MED0001160589).

Dr Norris performs primary breast augmentation, implant removal and replacement (revision surgery), and capsulectomy at fully accredited Sydney hospitals, with experienced specialist anaesthetists. Form & Face provides ongoing patient care well beyond the recovery period. Consultations are detailed and slow-paced, with comprehensive informed-consent discussion of risks including BII, capsular contracture, rupture, and BIA-ALCL.

Professional profiles and verified listings:

Clinic locations: Form & Face Bondi Junction (Eastern Suburbs) and Form & Face Bella Vista (The Hills District). Phone 1800 376 677 or visit our contact page to enquire.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common symptoms of breast implant illness?

The most commonly reported breast implant illness symptoms are fatigue, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, hair loss, anxiety or low mood, skin rashes, headaches, and sleep disturbance. These symptoms are non-specific and can be caused by many other conditions. A medical workup with your GP is the appropriate first step before attributing them to your implants.

Is breast implant illness the same as BIA-ALCL?

No. BIA-ALCL is a rare immune system cancer that can develop around certain textured implants. It has specific diagnostic criteria and established treatment protocols. BII, by contrast, refers to a pattern of systemic symptoms some women report after implant surgery. The two are distinct conditions.

Can BII occur with any type of breast implant?

Yes. BII symptoms have been reported by women with silicone, saline, smooth and textured implants. The condition is not currently linked to a specific implant type. By contrast, BIA-ALCL is more strongly associated with certain textured implants.

Will removing my breast implants cure BII?

Not necessarily. Some women report significant improvement in symptoms after explant surgery; others see partial improvement; and some see no change. Symptom resolution after implant removal cannot be guaranteed. The decision to have explant surgery should be made after a full medical workup and an informed discussion with a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

What did the TGA’s 2025 breast implant review involve?

From October to December 2025, the TGA conducted a post-market review of breast implants containing micro transponders (RFID identification chips). All such implants were cancelled from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. This was a device safety action and is separate from the TGA’s ongoing consumer guidance on BII, which is available through the TGA Breast Implant Hub.

Should I have my implants removed if I have no symptoms?

Generally, no. The TGA and major plastic surgery bodies do not recommend routine removal of breast implants in women who have no symptoms, even if their implant model has been subject to regulatory action, because the risks of unnecessary surgery may outweigh the benefit. Ongoing monitoring and check-ups are the recommended approach for asymptomatic women.

Next steps if you are concerned about your implants

If you have breast implants and are worried about symptoms, or you’re considering augmentation and want to go through the risks in detail, booking a consultation is a good place to start. Dr Norris sees patients at Bondi Junction (Eastern Suburbs) and Bella Vista (The Hills District) in Sydney. Existing implant patients are welcome, regardless of who performed the original surgery. Call 1800 376 677 or visit the contact page to enquire.

Further reading

Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty | Procedure Overview – Dr Norris’s primary procedure page covering implant types, technique, recovery and full risk discussion.

Breast Implant Removal and Replacement (Revision Mammoplasty) – Information on explant and revision surgery, including for women who would like to remove or change their existing implants.

Surgery Risks and Complications – A general overview of surgical risks relevant to breast implant procedures.

Form & Face Articles – Breast Procedures – Further articles on breast augmentation, revision, and implant-related topics.

Medical references

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Breast Implant Hub. The TGA’s central resource for consumers on breast implants, covering BII and BIA-ALCL.

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Post-market review of breast implants with micro transponders. 2025 regulatory action.

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Background on the TGA’s historical action on textured implants.

Healthdirect Australia. Breast implants. Government-funded national health information service.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Cosmetic surgery hub – information for consumers.

Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). TGA post-market review of breast implants. Specialist commentary on TGA action.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Breast Implants – Reports of Systemic Symptoms. International regulatory reporting on BII-related symptoms.

Cleveland Clinic. Breast Implant Illness. Peer-reviewed patient information.

Medical disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you have concerns about your breast implants, speak with your GP and a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon. All surgery, including implant removal, carries risks including bleeding, infection, scarring, changes in breast shape, and changes in nipple sensation. Individual results vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Read more about surgical risks at formandface.com.au/surgery-risks-and-complications/.