For decades, women with breast implants who developed unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or chronic pain were often told their symptoms were “in their heads.” Today, that’s beginning to change. As awareness of Breast Implant Illness (BII) continues to rise, more patients are finding answers — and hope — through trusted medical advocates like Dr. Landon Pryor and his team at PryorHealth, a national leader in explant and recovery care.
Understanding Breast Implant Illness
“Breast Implant Illness, or BII, is a condition that many women experience after receiving breast implants, though it’s still not fully recognized by all in the medical community,” explains Dr. Pryor, founder of PryorHealth and a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. “Common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, joint and muscle aches, autoimmune-like reactions, and unexplained inflammation. Each patient experiences it differently, which is why listening to their story is so important.”
That approach — listening first, healing second — is the foundation of PryorHealth’s BII Initiative, which aims to raise awareness and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care to those suffering from the condition.
Recognizing the Signs
Because BII presents differently for each woman, recognizing potential symptoms can be difficult. “If you have implants and are experiencing chronic, unexplained symptoms that started or worsened after surgery, it’s worth exploring the possibility of BII,” says Dr. Pryor. There is no single diagnostic test, which makes patient awareness and self-advocacy critical. “The key is to track your symptoms, seek a knowledgeable surgeon or advocate, and understand that your experiences are valid—even if the medical community hasn’t fully recognized the condition yet.”
A Focus on Total Healing
Dr. Pryor is one of the few plastic surgeons in the country who made the rare decision to stop performing breast augmentations altogether — dedicating his practice exclusively to explant surgery and whole-body recovery. At PryorHealth, the standard procedure for BII patients is a total capsulectomy, which removes both the implants and the surrounding scar tissue capsule.
“This is critical for safety and symptom relief, especially if the implant has ruptured,” he explains. “Recovery varies by patient, but many notice symptom improvement shortly after surgery. Typical downtime is about two weeks, and most patients resume full activity without restriction by six weeks.”
While total capsulectomy is the most direct solution for addressing the root cause of BII, Dr. Pryor and his team also emphasize holistic recovery. “Without removing the implants and capsules, nonsurgical therapies can only do so much,” he notes. “However, after proper en bloc explant and total capsulectomy, additional detox treatments can definitely help in reducing toxins and inflammation in the breasts, body, and brain.”
To support patients’ long-term wellness, PryorHealth offers complementary therapies such as IV treatments and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, designed to accelerate detoxification and healing.
The BII Centers of Excellence: Expanding Access and Awareness
Recognizing how many women were struggling to find knowledgeable care for Breast Implant Illness, Dr. Pryor established the PryorHealth BII Centers of Excellence — a national model dedicated exclusively to safe explant surgery, advocacy, and recovery.
The Centers of Excellence reflect Dr. Pryor’s commitment to making specialized BII treatment more accessible. Each center combines board-certified surgical expertise, dedicated patient advocacy, and comprehensive wellness programs, creating a trusted environment for patients seeking answers and relief.
Since the launch of the Centers in Illinois, PryorHealth has expanded into Florida, broadening access for women across the country who often have few local options for BII-specific care. The Centers also collaborate with the University of Illinois Chicago Rockford campus to study inflammatory responses linked to implants — bridging the gap between lived experience and scientific understanding.
PryorHealth’s BII Initiative is about more than surgery — it’s about giving women validation after years of being dismissed. The team includes BII advocates and survivors Laura Bowden and Yvette Melby, who provide hands-on guidance and emotional support throughout the explant journey. Their personal experiences make them invaluable advocates for patients navigating the same uncertainty they once faced.
Empowering Women to Be Heard
Ultimately, Dr. Pryor hopes women understand one thing: their symptoms are real and deserve to be taken seriously. “You don’t have to accept unexplained fatigue, pain, or autoimmune-like issues as your new normal,” he says. “With the right care, advocacy, and treatment — including total capsulectomy — recovery is possible. You deserve to be believed and supported every step of the way.”
For thousands of women, that message of validation is life-changing. As BII awareness continues to grow, PryorHealth’s BII Centers of Excellence stand at the forefront — not only as hubs of advanced surgical expertise, but as beacons of empathy, advocacy, and healing for women reclaiming their health nationwide.
This story originally appeared on Upscalelivingmag
