If you've undergone explant surgery to address breast implant illness (BII), you may have expected a quick resolution of your symptoms. However, many women find that some symptoms can linger for months or even years after their implants are removed. This can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening, especially after making the difficult decision to explant.
Rest assured, persistent symptoms after explant surgery are not uncommon. Here’s why symptoms can linger after surgery, and what you can do to start feeling better.
- Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is a key part of the body’s immune response, but when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to persistent symptoms. In the context of BII, your immune system may have been activated for years in response to the implants, low-grade infections, or environmental toxins.
Even after explant surgery, it can take time for your immune system to shift out of this reactive state. Ongoing inflammation has been shown to disrupt hormonal balance, impair detoxification, and affect cognitive and digestive function. A 2025 study found lingering inflammatory markers in the blood even after explant in women with BII. [1]
This inflammation is not just a side effect—it’s often a core mechanism driving fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and gut issues long after the implants are gone.
What you can do:
- Focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition (low in sugar, gluten, dairy, and processed foods)
- Prioritize quality sleep—poor sleep is directly linked to increased inflammation and impaired healing
- Reduce stress through activities like meditation, breathwork, journaling, or time in nature—chronic stress keeps your immune system in overdrive
- Consider our Inflammation Support Bundle for comprehensive immune and antioxidant support
2. Biofilms & Residual Bacteria
Biofilms are slimy coatings that bacteria form to shield themselves from your immune system and antibiotics. When breast implants are placed, the body forms a scar capsule around them, and studies have shown these capsules can harbor bacterial biofilms. [2]
These bacteria—most commonly Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis—can persist in the tissue even after explant. In fact, a 2024 study found that 29% of tested capsules contained biofilm-associated bacteria, even when there were no signs of infection. [3]
If the entire capsule isn’t removed, or if bacteria have migrated beyond the capsule, the immune system continues to respond to these microbes, keeping inflammation active and contributing to symptoms.
What you can do:
- Work with a provider familiar with BII and consider testing for stealth infections.
- Biofilm-busting botanicals and therapies (like specific plant stem cells) may support microbial clearance.
- Compounds like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), garlic extract (allicin), and nitric oxide precursors have shown potential in disrupting biofilms
- Certain plant compounds (like those found in kale and cruciferous vegetables) may also help impair biofilm signaling
3. Ongoing Toxin Exposure
While explanting addresses one potential source of toxins (i.e., the implants themselves), it's important to recognize that we are exposed to countless other toxins on a daily basis. These ongoing exposures can continue to tax your body's detoxification systems, contributing to lingering symptoms.
Some common toxins that can affect women post-explant include:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): Found in plastics, personal care products, and pesticides, EDCs mimic or block hormone function. Phthalates, BPA, and parabens are common chemicals women are exposed to daily. [4]
Mold toxins: Exposure to toxic mold from water-damaged buildings is surprisingly common. Mycotoxins can cause neurological symptoms, hormonal imbalances, and immune dysfunction. [5]
Heavy metals: Chronic low-level exposure to heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium can impair detoxification and contribute to oxidative stress. [6]
Pesticides: Residues from pesticides used in conventional agriculture can disrupt gut health and hormonal balance. [7]
Air pollution: Fine particulate matter from air pollution can trigger systemic inflammation. [8]
What you can do:
- Choose organic foods to minimize pesticide exposure
- Filter your water to remove heavy metals, chlorine, and other contaminants
- Purify your indoor air with a HEPA filter or air purifier like Jaspr (use code DRROB for 10% off)
- Opt for non-toxic personal care and cleaning products to reduce your chemical body burden
4. Genetic Variations
Some people are genetically predisposed to detox more slowly. Variations in genes related to methylation, glutathione production, and Phase I/II liver detox can significantly affect your ability to clear toxins and heal. [9]
If your detox pathways are sluggish due to these SNPs, toxins can linger longer in tissues, and you may be more sensitive to environmental exposures post-explant.
What you can do:
- Consider genetic testing to assess detox efficiency
- Support your detox pathways with methylated B vitamins, glutathione, sulfur-rich foods (like onions, garlic, cruciferous vegetables), and antioxidants
5. Hormone Imbalances
Hormonal imbalance is a common consequence of long-standing inflammation, toxic exposure, and gut disruption. These imbalances don’t just develop post-explant—they often begin while implants are still in, but become more noticeable once the body begins recalibrating.
Estrogen dominance (excess estrogen relative to progesterone) is one of the most common issues. It can cause mood swings, heavy periods, weight gain, and breast tenderness. Low thyroid function or adrenal dysregulation (like low cortisol) can also lead to ongoing fatigue, brain fog, and poor stress tolerance.
What you can do:
- Run a full hormone panel: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and thyroid hormones (including reverse T3)
- Use targeted support (e.g., DIM, calcium-D-glucarate, adaptogens) under guidance
- Restore gut health and detox function to improve hormone clearance
6. Gut Dysbiosis
Your gut plays a central role in detox, immunity, and hormone balance. Many women with BII also experience gut symptoms like bloating, constipation, or food intolerances. [10] These issues are often due to dysbiosis—an imbalance of good and bad microbes—and increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”).
Toxins, antibiotics, stress, and inflammation can all damage the gut lining, which then allows toxins and undigested proteins to leak into circulation. This triggers immune flares and keeps inflammation simmering—even after explant.
What you can do:
- Get a microbiome test to assess bacteria, parasites, and inflammation
- Eat gut-soothing foods like bone broth, ginger, and steamed veggies
- Add probiotics and prebiotic fibers like inulin or partially hydrolyzed guar gum
- Limit alcohol, NSAIDs, and processed foods, which worsen leaky gut
7. Detox Pathway Bottlenecks
Healing from BII is rarely a straight line from point A to point B. Explanting removes a source of toxic input, but your body still has to process and eliminate years of stored toxins. To do this, it needs functioning detox pathways to safely eliminate toxins released after explant. If any system—liver, kidneys, lymph, gut, skin, or lungs—is sluggish, those toxins can recirculate.
Many women experience "detox waves" after explant—periods where old symptoms (like fatigue, headaches, or skin flare-ups) resurface as the body releases toxins. [11] This is common, but it can feel discouraging if you’re not prepared for it.
What you can do:
- Sweat, poop, and pee daily to keep elimination pathways open
- Staying well-hydrated to support kidney filtration and waste removal
- Eating plenty of fiber to promote daily bowel movements
- Support your liver with glutathione, B vitamins, and fiber
- Support your lymphatic system with dry brushing, rebounding, or lymphatic massage
- Consuming detox-supportive foods like cruciferous veggies, garlic, and cilantro
- Deep breathing to support lung detoxification
- Once your pathways are functioning well, you can slowly add in more intensive detox supports like infrared saunas, chelation, or binders under the guidance of a trained practitioner, but go slowly: aggressive detox too early can backfire
It's important to honor your body's own healing timeline. Resist the urge to compare your journey to someone else's. With each wave, trust that your body is healing on a deep level. Supporting yourself with ample rest, nourishing food, gentle movement, and stress management techniques can help smooth out the ride.
Recovery Is a Journey, Not Just a Procedure
Explant surgery is the beginning. Recovery is the process that follows.
If your symptoms haven’t fully resolved yet, it doesn’t mean the surgery didn’t work. It means your body may still need time, support, and the right inputs to heal.
This is exactly why I developed the SHARP Method—to give women a comprehensive, strategic approach to healing that includes detoxification, gut and hormone support, personalized supplementation, and inflammation resolution.
You’ve already done the hardest part. Let’s take the next step.
Start supporting your body today with the Inflammation Support Bundle.
It includes:
- Liposomal Glutathione – the body's master antioxidant for cellular detox
- Liposomal Vitamin D3+K2 – supports immune regulation, bone health, and inflammation control
- Liposomal B Complex – supports energy production and methylation pathways
- Liposomal Vitamin C – a potent anti-inflammatory and immune booster
- Magnesium & Acetyl-L-Carnitine – for cellular energy, muscle recovery, and nervous system support
Together, these nutrients work synergistically to support your body's natural detoxification processes, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular repair. They provide the raw materials your body needs to heal and rebuild.
We use liposomal delivery for superior absorption and bioavailability. Liposomes protect these nutrient compounds as they pass through your digestive system, delivering them directly into your cells where they’re needed most.
Healing isn’t just about removing what made you sick—it’s about rebuilding what makes you strong.
To your health,
Dr. Rob Whitfield
References
[1] Azahaf, S., Spit, K. A., De Blok, C. J. M., & Nanayakkara, P. W. B. (2025). Increased FGF-19 levels following explantation in women with breast implant illness. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88013-4
[2] Rieger et al. (2013). Bacterial biofilms and capsular contracture in patients with breast implants. British Journal of Surgery, 100(6), 768--774. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.9084
[3] Whitfield et al. (2024). Clinical Evaluation of Microbial Communities and Associated Biofilms with Breast Augmentation Failure. Microorganisms, 12(9), 1830. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091830
[4] Kabir, E. R., Rahman, M. S., & Rahman, I. (2015). A review on endocrine disruptors and their possible impacts on human health. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 40(1), 241–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2015.06.009
[5] WHO. (2023, October 2). Mycotoxins. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins
[6] Jaishankar, M., Tseten, T., Anbalagan, N., Mathew, B. B., & Beeregowda, K. N. (2014). Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7(2), 60–72. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009
[7] Ali, A., & AlHussaini, K. I. (2024). Pesticides: Unintended impact on the hidden world of gut microbiota. Metabolites, 14(3), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030155
[8] Pope, C. A., Bhatnagar, A., McCracken, J. P., Abplanalp, W., Conklin, D. J., & O’Toole, T. (2016). Exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with endothelial injury and systemic inflammation. Circulation Research, 119(11), 1204–1214. https://doi.org/10.1161/circresaha.116.309279
[9] Aronica, L., Ordovas, J. M., Volkov, A., Lamb, J. J., Stone, P. M., Minich, D., Leary, M., Class, M., Metti, D., Larson, I. A., Contractor, N., Eck, B., & Bland, J. S. (2022). Genetic biomarkers of metabolic detoxification for personalized Lifestyle medicine. Nutrients, 14(4), 768. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14040768
[10] McGuire, P., Clauw, D. J., Hammer, J., Haws, M., & Adams, W. P. (2021). A practical guide to managing patients with systemic symptoms and breast implants. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 42(4), 397–407. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjab375
[11] Glicksman, C., McGuire, P., Kadin, M., Barnes, K., Wixtrom, R., Lawrence, M., Haws, M., Ferenz, S., Sung, C. J., Hamilton, R. G., & Faasse, K. (2023). Longevity of Post-Explantation Systemic Symptom Improvement and Potential Etiologies: Findings from the ASERF Systemic Symptoms in Women–Biospecimen Analysis Study: Part 4. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 43(10), 1194–1204. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjad098