It’s not uncommon for individuals who are unhappy with an aspect of their appearance to get cosmetic surgery to help them feel better about themselves. Many women have breast implants, not realizing until it’s too late, just how dangerous it can be to their overall health to do so. This blog discusses the issues and litigation surrounding the Allergan implant.
There’s been an uptick in stories about women and the health problems they’ve experienced after receiving breast implants in recent years. They’ve described depression, hair loss, chills, anxiety, rashes, fatigue and chest pain.
Breast Implants Risk for Infection
Patients often choose between either silicone or saline implants for themselves. There are pros and cons to choosing one versus another. It’s not uncommon for a woman’s implants to rupture post-operatively. There’s also a risk of infection anytime a patient implants a foreign object in their body.
Allergan Implants
Some types of implants may be more dangerous than others, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a manufacturer of textured breast implants to recall them in 2019. The federal regulators did so after discovering a link between the Allergan implant and incidence rates of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). This is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that attacks a patient’s immune system.
Breast Implants Recalls
In case you’re wondering how FDA regulators were able to determine that the ALCL resulted from the breast implants, it was because patients ended up developing a fluid buildup around them.
Many of the women suffering from this type of lymphoma could feel lumps in their breasts, and others experienced swelling. They went and saw their doctors who diagnosed their condition. Many patients only needed surgery to remove the implants and surrounding tissue to regain their health, although some also needed radiation or chemotherapy.
Researchers are still studying the connection between other types of breast implants and the myriad of illnesses patients report. They have preliminarily concluded that some of the symptoms women experience could stem from undiagnosed medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases.
Breast Implant Lawsuit
There are a lot of dangers that come with undergoing any surgical procedure. A breast implant operation is no different in that respect. One of the best things you can do if you’re suffering adverse complications post-operatively is to see your doctor. You should then consult with a Houston defective medical device attorney who is keen on holding manufacturers accountable for their actions when they put consumers at risk. Call Reich & Binstock today for your free consultation at 713-622-7271.