Breast implants are among the most tightly regulated medical devices in the world.
Before approval, they undergo clinical trials, toxicological studies, and strict certification processes.
Plastic surgeons emphasize that these products are generally safe and offer excellent aesthetic and psychological results for women, particularly after mastectomy.
However, as with any medical implant, they require careful long-term follow-up and transparent information to ensure informed decision-making.
Also read: Processed foods that support weight loss
Implants can significantly improve body image and confidence, but experts remind patients that safety depends on ongoing monitoring.
Some women live with their implants for decades without problems, while others may experience complications that appear years after surgery.
Serious diseases linked to implants
Over the past decade, reports have surfaced of rare conditions connected to breast implants.
One of the most notable is breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant, not in the breast itself.
Also read: Running without stopping: What’s normal for your age?
It occurs most often in patients with textured implants, whose rough outer surface helps them adhere to tissue.
Symptoms may include swelling, pain, or the accumulation of fluid around the implant, usually more than a year after surgery.
Though the disease is extremely uncommon, estimated at 0.1 to 0.3 cases per 100,000 women with implants, its existence has led to increased medical awareness and improved surveillance.
Even rarer is the development of squamous cell carcinoma in the capsule surrounding the implant, first highlighted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022.
Also read: What healthy blood pressure looks like at different ages
Fewer than 20 cases have been documented worldwide, typically emerging more than two decades after implantation.
When symptoms appear without a clear cause
A growing number of women report a wide range of unexplained symptoms after breast augmentation, including fatigue, joint pain, anxiety, memory issues, and digestive problems.
Some women experience improvement after implant removal, while others see no change.
For this reason, major health authorities such as the FDA and the European Medicines Agency do not recommend removing implants preventively in asymptomatic patients.
Also read: The ideal hour for magnesium intake, according to heart specialists
Regular medical monitoring remains the cornerstone of safety.
Annual ultrasound scans and magnetic resonance imaging every five years are standard recommendations.
Any persistent swelling, pain, or asymmetry should always be assessed by a qualified specialist.
This article is based on information from ElConfidencial.com.
Also read: New study shows how few steps it takes to improve your health