Breast Implants Side Effects

Breast augmentation poses various risks, some less severe than others. The more common breast implant side effects include:

• Breast pain: Soreness or outright pain in the breast or nipple area may occur.
• Changes in nipple and breast sensation: An increase or decrease of feeling in the nipple and breast may occur. The changes can be more or less severe depending on how much feeling is lost or gained. These changes can be permanent or temporary and might affect sexual response or breast feeding.
• Hematoma: Hematoma is a collection of blood in one area that can often appear as a large, very dark bruise. Hematomas near the surgical site may lead to swelling, bruising and pain. The body can absorb small hematomas, but large hematomas might require surgical draining or other medical intervention.
• Infection: Infections, including Toxic Shock Syndrome, may happen if bacteria or fungi contaminate the implantation wound. If infections don’t respond to antibiotics, the implant might need to be removed.
• Inflammation: Inflammation can lead to redness, swelling, warmth and pain.
• Redness or bruising: The implantation surgery and foreign objects in the body may cause a temporary change in skin color.

Anyone with breast implants should contact their doctor right away if they experience any new or worsening side effects. Breast implants may also cause systemic symptoms, sometimes called breast implant illness (BII), and more severe side effects.

What is breast implant illness (BII)?

Breast implant illness (BII) isn’t an official medical condition. It refers to a range of symptoms, including anxiety, brain fog, chronic pain, fatigue, muscle pain and skin rashes. It is also known as: 

• Autoimmune syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)
• Breast implant disease
• Silicone implant illness

(Adjuvants are substances that strengthen the body’s immune system.) 

The cause of BII is not known, and it is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions. Some researchers think it might be connected to:

• An autoimmune or inflammatory reaction to parts of the implant, such as silicone
• Bacteria growth on the surface of the implant that causes an infection
• Response to the breast implant surgery itself

BII can impact a person’s muscles, their ability to think and focus and their overall feeling of wellness. People with either saline-filled or silicone-filled implants may experience BII symptoms. The symptoms may begin directly after breast implant surgery or years after. For some people, BII symptoms disappear after their implants are removed. Others continue to experience the symptoms.

Common breast implant illness symptoms include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Brain fog
• Chronic pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dry eyes 
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Joint pain
• Loss of memory 
• Low vision that cannot be corrected
• Muscle pain 
• Muscle weakness (myopathy)
• Skin rashes

Although the exact relationship between these symptoms and breast implants is not clear, removing the implants may help. Researchers are investigating these symptoms to better understand their origins.

Some individuals are at risk of developing severe breast implant side effects, such as:

• Cancer
• Capsular contracture (hardening of the breast around one or both implants)
• Changes in the position of the implant
• Implant leakage or rupture

Surgery to remove or replace the implants may be required to correct these complications. Anyone who has breast implants should seek medical attention immediately if they experience new or worsening side effects. 

Certain breast implants have been linked to an increased risk of developing an immune system cancer known as BIA-ALCL.

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is a cancer of the immune system. It is not breast cancer. In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the breast implant. 

Some breast implants are smooth, while others have a rougher texture intended to keep them in place. Smooth and textured implants can be made of silicone or saline. BIA-ALCL has developed in people with both types of materials. Textured implants are more commonly associated with BIA-ALCL than smooth implants. 

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately 85% of BIA-ALCL cases have been diagnosed in people with Allergan’s BIOCELL textured implants. Allergan no longer makes these implants and issued a recall for physicians and hospitals to return any stock still on hand. 

Medical experts aren’t sure why BIA-ALCL develops in people with breast implants. It might be caused by a chronic infection around the implant that stimulates the immune system and results in cancer of the immune cells. Some people could be more prone to BIA-ALCL because of their genetics.

The symptoms of BIA-ALCL include:

• Breast or armpit pain
• Hardening of the breast
• Lumps in the breast or armpit area
• Redness or rash on or around the breast
• Swelling or enlargement of the breast

BIA-ALCL is a serious condition, and early detection is critical. It can lead to death if not treated promptly. Most people with BIA-ALCL require surgery to remove the implant and surrounding scar tissue. Some may also need chemotherapy and radiation therapy if the cancer has spread. If you have breast implants, speak to your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts.

Serious breast implant side effects, specifically BIA-ALCL, have led to severe health complications. The injured parties are seeking justice by filing breast implant lawsuits. The lawsuits allege serious injuries, including chronic inflammation and cancer, related to their use of BIOCELL textured breast implants. These implants are made by Allergan, one of the world’s largest breast implant manufacturers. 

The Allergan breast implant lawsuits have been combined into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District Court in New Jersey. Motley Rice is engaged in the multidistrict litigation over these breast implant claims. 

As of January 2, 2025, 1,266 actions were pending in the Allergan Biocell Textured Breast Implant Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2921.

People who undergo breast implant surgery may experience side effects from the surgery or the implants themselves. Here are some frequently asked questions that people have about breast implant side effects.

How long do breast implant side effects last?

Breast implant side effects last varying lengths of time. You may experience:

• Breast pain, swelling, bruising and tightness for a few weeks 
• Fatigue for several weeks 
• Nipple pain, resolving within six to eight weeks
• Loss of nipple sensation, resolving within 12 – 18 months or longer

What are the long-term effects of breast implants?

People with breast implants may experience long-term effects like “breast implant illness.” It includes anxiety, depression, brain fog, confusion, dry mouth and eyes, fatigue, memory loss and skin rash. These symptoms and their causes are not well understood. The most serious long-term effect of breast implants is a type of lymphoma cancer called BIA-ALCL.

Other long-term health problems related to breast implants include connective tissue diseases (lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), reproductive problems and trouble breastfeeding. However, more research is needed to understand the connection between breast implants and these conditions.

Do breast implants cause cancer?

Breast implants have been linked to cancers like BIA-ALCL. BIA-ALCL stands for Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Researchers think roughened textures on the outside of certain implants may lead to irritation, which may cause tumors to develop in the tissue surrounding the implant. More research is necessary to determine the exact causal relationship between BIA-ALCL and breast implants.

Motley Rice is on the front lines representing thousands of women harmed by defective medical devices and products including women with defective breast implants involving serious complications. Motley Rice has extensive experience litigating breast implants, other implanted medical devices and medical drugs cases, including:

• Toxic hair relaxer
• Transvaginal mesh
• Paragard IUDs

Learn more about our experience handling defective medical device cases.