‘It takes you to the limit’: a qualitative study of women presenting with systemic symptoms associated with breast implants (SSBI)

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to understand symptom experiences, illness narratives, and help-seeking behaviours in women living with systemic symptoms associated with their breast implants (SSBI) and seeking explant surgery. METHODS AND MEASURES: Patients for this study were recruited from a larger prospective comparative study on SSBI over a 3-year period. Semi-structured qualitative interviews using an adapted version of the McGill Illness Narrative Interview method were undertaken with Australian women seeking explant surgery. An inductive reflexive thematic approach was used to analyse the data and produce a chronology of the phases women go through in their journey with SSBI. RESULTS: Twenty-four interviews were conducted online, generating seven themes: 1) Making (constrained) choices around breast implants, 2) Being subjected to clinical authority, 3) Bearing the symptoms alone, 4) A lone quest for information and support - searching for a causative agent, 5) Explant surgery as an imperfect solution, 6) A recovery of agency through social connections, and 7) Agitating for change. CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted that women living with SSBI undergo a physical and psychological journey with barriers to accessing appropriate care, help and support. Better psychological and clinical support for women making the decision to have breast implants, from implantation through to explantation and recovery is required.