---
title: "Understanding breast implant illness: how Second Opinions and implant removal improve patient outcomes"
description: "Breast Implant Illness: A Growing Concern for Silicone Implant Recipients A 2024 study published in GMS Interdisciplinary Plastic and Reconstructive…"
canonical: "https://medcabinet.eu/en/understanding-breast-implant-illness-how-second-opinions-and-implant-removal-improve-patient-outcomes/"
lang: "en"
---

Medical Diagnostics, Second opinion, Therapy

-   28/04/2025

![](https://medcabinet.eu/_astro/philippe-spitalier-MUr_fp74Ivo-unsplash-1024x680.C4mNAU1U_ZLKJ1r.webp)

**Breast Implant Illness: A Growing Concern for Silicone Implant Recipients**  
A 2024 study published in GMS Interdisciplinary Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery analysed symptom patterns in 412 patients before and after silicone breast implant removal. The results validate growing patient-reported concerns about Breast Implant Illness (BII) – a cluster of 60+ systemic symptoms linked to implants, including chronic fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive dysfunction.

**Key Findings:**  
• 88% of patients reported significant symptom reduction post-implant removal, with improvements in:  
• Chronic fatigue  
• Muscle/joint pain  
• Skin rashes  
• Neurological symptoms  
• Symptoms worsened over time in patients retaining implants, suggesting a dose-dependent relationship.  
• 72% of participants had sought ≥2 medical opinions before opting for explantation.

**Why Patients Seek Telehealth Second Opinions for BII**  
1\. Validation of Symptoms: Many healthcare providers still dismiss BII due to lack of diagnostic biomarkers.  
2\. Access to Specialists: Telehealth platforms connect patients to reconstructive surgeons experienced in en bloc capsulectomy – the gold standard for implant removal.  
3\. Cost-Effective Consultations: Virtual visits reduce travel burdens for patients comparing surgical approaches.

**The Role of Telehealth in Post-Explant Care**

Post-removal monitoring via telehealth enables:  
• Regular check-ins for wound healing  
• Mental health support during recovery  
• Long-term tracking of symptom resolution

**Key Takeaway for Patients**  
This study confirms that implant removal can resolve treatment-resistant symptoms in most BII cases. Telehealth services play a critical role in helping patients:  
• Verify diagnoses  
• Compare surgical options  
• Access aftercare remotely

**Ready for a Second Opinion?**  
Medcabinet connects you with German board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in BII management.

[Find a doctor](https://medcabinet.eu/en/doctors-category/plastic-surgery/)

[Source: GMS (German Medical Science journal)](https://www.egms.de/static/en/journals/iprs/2024-13/iprs000186.shtml)

-   Ursula Tanzella - Park-Klinik Birkenwerder, Birkenwerder, German
-   Klaus Ueberreiter - Park-Klinik Birkenwerder, Birkenwerder, Germany
-   Lola Fanny Krapohl - University of Leipzig, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
-   Armin Bell - Park-Klinik Birkenwerder, Birkenwerder, Germany
-   Björn Dirk Krapohl [](https://www.egms.de/dynamic/en/contact-form.htm?id=ZZSQdAjyKdTIKerYnlnYieIxz9qgI0sh&text=%20%20Bj%F6rn%20Dirk%20Krapohl%20&ref=/en/journals/iprs/2024-13/iprs000186.shtml)\- Department of Dento-maxillofacial, Reconstructive, and Plastic Surgery, Carl-Thiem Klinikum, Cottbus, Germany