A doctor wearing gloves draws surgical lines on a woman's chest, who is wearing a bra, possibly preparing for a cosmetic procedure.

Breast Implant Illness Treatment

Breast implant illness (BII) refers to a range of symptoms that some women associate with their breast implants. It is not yet a formally defined medical diagnosis, but it is being taken increasingly seriously — in 2019 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced steps to better characterize BII and its risk factors, and research has continued since. For many women, these symptoms are very real and disruptive, regardless of the ongoing scientific discussion, and they deserve a thoughtful, knowledgeable evaluation.

At Avance Plastic Surgery Institute, those concerns are evaluated by Dr. Erez Dayan, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Medical Director of the practice who has studied this topic directly — he authored the research paper “Silicone Implant Illness: Science Versus Myth?” and a widely read publication on the safety of silicone breast implants. Trained in the Harvard Plastic Surgery Program, where he served as Chief Resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and fellowship-trained in aesthetic surgery at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Dayan brings a rare combination of surgical skill and published, evidence-based expertise to the conversation around BII. That background allows him to evaluate each patient honestly and recommend the approach that genuinely serves them.

YouTube video titled Breast Implant Removal Reno/Tahoe- Dr. Erez Dayan

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast implant illness describes a collection of symptoms that some patients experience after breast implant surgery. The understanding of BII continues to evolve as the FDA and the medical community study it, and no single cause has been established. Symptoms have been reported by women with both saline and silicone implants, with no clear link to any one implant type, and they can appear soon after surgery or develop years later.

Symptoms Patients Commonly Report

The symptoms women associate with breast implant illness vary widely and overlap with many other conditions. Commonly reported symptoms include:

Chronic fatigue
Joint and muscle pain
Breathing difficulties
Sleep disturbances
Rashes and other skin problems
Headaches
Hair loss
Gastrointestinal problems
Anxiety and depression

“Whether or not the science has fully caught up, these patients are experiencing real, disruptive symptoms — and they deserve to be heard and evaluated carefully. My job is to give them honest, evidence-based guidance and the right surgical option for them.” — Dr. Erez Dayan

Diagnosis of Breast Implant Illness

Diagnosing BII is challenging precisely because its symptoms are shared with many other illnesses and conditions. For that reason, a careful evaluation typically involves ruling out other medical causes first. Only after other possibilities have been thoroughly considered do many clinicians turn to breast implant illness as an explanation. Dr. Dayan approaches each case individually and works with patients to understand the full picture of their health and symptoms.

Treatment: Breast Implant Removal in Reno/Tahoe

The primary treatment for breast implant illness is removal of the implants along with the surrounding scar-tissue capsules. Removing these capsules appears to be an important part of relieving symptoms for many patients. Dr. Dayan performs implant removal for BII when symptoms interfere with a patient’s ability to function and live a full, productive life.

For patients who have their implants removed because of BII, Dr. Dayan generally does not recommend replacing them with new implants. Instead, he can discuss other options for restoring breast shape and volume, such as fat grafting, so patients can achieve a natural contour without returning to implants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Implant Illness

Is breast implant illness a recognized medical diagnosis?
BII is not yet a formally defined medical diagnosis, but it is being studied and taken increasingly seriously by the FDA and the medical community. For many patients, the symptoms are real and significant regardless of the ongoing scientific discussion.

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?
Reported symptoms include chronic fatigue, joint and muscle pain, breathing difficulties, sleep disturbances, skin problems, headaches, hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, and anxiety or depression. They can appear soon after surgery or years later, with both saline and silicone implants.

How is breast implant illness diagnosed?
Because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions, diagnosis usually involves ruling out other medical causes first. Dr. Dayan evaluates each patient individually and considers their full health picture before recommending a path forward.

What is the treatment for BII?
The main treatment is removal of the implants along with the surrounding scar-tissue capsules. Removing the capsules appears to be a key part of relieving symptoms for many patients.

Should I have my implants replaced after removal?
For patients having implants removed because of BII, Dr. Dayan generally does not recommend new implants. He can instead discuss natural options such as fat grafting to restore breast shape and volume.

Will removing my implants relieve my symptoms?
Many patients report meaningful improvement after implant and capsule removal, though outcomes vary and BII is still being studied. Dr. Dayan will give you an honest, individualized assessment during your consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Dayan for Breast Implant Illness Care

Published BII Researcher: author of “Silicone Implant Illness: Science Versus Myth?” and research on silicone implant safety
Evidence-Based, Compassionate Approach: honest guidance that takes patient symptoms seriously while staying grounded in the science
Harvard Surgical Training: board-certified with Chief Resident experience at Massachusetts General Hospital
Complete Capsule Removal: implant and scar-tissue capsule removal, which appears important to symptom relief
Natural Restoration Options: alternatives such as fat grafting to restore shape without new implants

Schedule a Breast Implant Illness Consultation in Reno/Tahoe

If you suspect you may have breast implant illness, you deserve a thorough, knowledgeable evaluation. Contact Avance Plastic Surgery Institute in Reno/Tahoe, NV at (775) 800-4444 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Erez Dayan and discuss your concerns. Virtual consultations are also available for patients traveling from out of town.

Maintenance Program

The maintenance program at Avance Plastic Surgery Institute is designed to offer patients a convenient way to continue seeing the benefits of our treatments for as long as possible.

To maintain the outcomes of cosmetic breast procedures, we recommend non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments with the following devices:

Forma Body (InMode)
Morpheus 8 (InMode)

Research by Dr. Dayan

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Reviews

5.0 / 5.0

5.0 stars from 587 reviews

Hands down the most qualified, honest and knowledgeable plastic surgeon in Northern Nevada. Dr. Dayan and his staff are truly committed to offering leading edge technology, quality and professionalism to each and every treatment ranging from to simple non invasive injections to complicated procedures. What he and his team have to offer always seems too good to be true, but they always over exceed expectations and are incredibly budget conscientious. The Reno-Tahoe area is incredibly fortunate to welcome such a skilled and qualified aesthetic professional into the area!

Shelby M.

Dr. Dayan is the surgeon clients should interview with and choose for their procedures. I am always very cautious when deciding important life decisions and I can say without a doubt that I would go through my surgeries again with Dr. Dayan. Every appointment has been professional, courteous, informative, and truthful. I never felt rushed. I also appreciate knowing my privacy is maintained. My fear of pain is very respected, and his demeanor eases it quite a bit. I made my decision to trust Dr. Dayan because of his extensive education, vast experience, and my first-hand witness of his character. These factors have allowed me to look forward to all of my appointments.

Aubrey S.

I had three consultations and didn't make any decisions lightly, but Dr. Dayan blew the competition out of the water. From the moment I met him during my consultation, he was honest and open while also personable. He also insisted on putting me in touch with previous patients before I made my decision so that I could have a better understanding of the process and recovery as a whole. I ultimately picked him because I knew he would do a good job but also because I felt at ease with him. The day of surgery, I was very nervous and he was comforting while efficient with his time. He was also completely honest with me during my recovery and called either myself or my husband often to make sure I was doing well, but also to make sure my husband understood the process completely. He also makes himself so available for any little questions or concerns I've had, making me feel secure in knowing he's only a phone call or a text away. Although I am not yet completely healed (only 3 weeks post-op) I already feel so confident in the work that has been done. He has helped me to transform something that had me so insecure for such a long time into a body I feel comfortable in. I cannot wait for the final results! I won't hesitate to return to Dr. Dayan for anything else I need done. Between him and his office staff (Alli) I feel like more of a member of the Avance family rather than a patient!

Jacelyn O.

I highly encourage anyone who is considering plastic/reconstruction surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dayan. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and outcome from my breast augmentation. At my consultations, not only did I get my questions thoroughly answered, but I was treated with such genuine kindness and patience. Dr. Dayan is professional, highly knowledgeable, honest and has a certain way of connecting with others. For these reasons, I trusted him and felt supported throughout my whole breast augmentation experience from pre- to post-surgery care. All around, I felt safe and informed about this big decision/investment which is all I could ever ask for. I recovered so much easier than I expected, and my breasts are looking perfect and natural! Dr. Dayan definitely listened to what I wanted and followed through. Lastly, I want to mention how sweet and supportive his team is over at Avance! I am very appreciative of their service.

Sidney C.

My results after a "noninvasive" procedure are amazing. The cutting-edge techniques and noninvasive technology that Dr. Dayan incorporates into his procedures, as well as being a gifted and talented surgeon and individual, all contribute to his many accomplishments. However, I personally am impressed with his abilities to listen, communicate, and create beautiful results. I highly recommend a consultation with Dr. Dayan before making a final decision on any kind of procedure. Just another satisfied patient!

Mary J.

I had a perfect experience at Avance. Dr. Dayan was quick, professional, and checked in with me regularly to make sure I was comfortable during the short procedure I needed done. His demeanor was calming and I was able to put full trust in his abilities from start to finish. Erez really knows his stuff, and it's amazing he's here in Reno when he could clearly be somewhere much bigger if he wanted. I definitely won't hesitate to book again if needed.

Chris S.

Absolutely an amazing experience! Where to start? When I first thought of getting a mommy makeover my expectations were not that high because I didn’t ever think I could look the way I wanted to. I always just hoped it would be an improvement and I would be happy with that. Then I met Dr. Dayan. From the first consultation he made me realize that he could give me beautiful results that I didn’t know were possible. He was so kind and confident and I knew from that moment that he was going to be my surgeon. I booked my surgery (a breast augmentation with implants and a tummy tuck with lipo) that day and it was the best choice I have ever made. Before my procedure he was very thorough and explained step by step what he was going to do which made me feel so comfortable. I actually wasn’t nervous at all. I was so excited! I am now 1 month post op and my results are above and beyond what I could have ever dreamed my body could look like after a mommy makeover. Dr. Dayan did an exceptional job. I am not completely healed and I already am so pleased. There are no words that can do justice to how amazing it is to put trust in someone with my body and wake up with results that are better than I could have ever imagined. He truly is skilled in his profession and has the eye for what is best for your body to give you the best results. He followed up with me several times post op to see how I was feeling. If I had any concerns or questions he responded to them quickly and personally which made me feel confident that everything was going well! His care is exceptional from beginning to end. He has an amazing staff as well. His Patient coordinator Ali is so sweet and helpful. She is amazing with communication as well as helping you with financial options and scheduling. You won’t be disappointed working with Dr. Dayan and Ali!

Valerie F.

Dr. Dayan and his team are the best of the best! The level of care, professionalism is top of the class. I strongly recommend Dr. Dayan and his entire team. I cannot say enough about his work - he is incredibly talented and I am confident under his care. Of course the results are amazing! I love my LIPS!

Nasya M.