The Dr. Hyman Show

Breast Implants Are Making Women Sick—Here's What's Happening | Dr. Jonathan Kanevsky

16 snips
Apr 1, 2026
Dr. Jonathan Kanevsky, board-certified plastic surgeon and data scientist focused on breast implant illness and explant surgery, shares his journey away from implants. He discusses how implants can trigger immune reactions, the debate over removing capsules, natural alternatives like fat grafting, and practical recovery strategies including timing, nutrition, and surgical preparation.
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INSIGHT

Implants Correlate With Systemic Illness

  • Many women report chronic, wide-ranging symptoms that correlate with breast implants and often improve after explant.
  • Jonathan Kanevsky observed repeated patient patterns of fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, brain fog, and autoimmune signs prompting his shift away from implants.
INSIGHT

Complication Rate Near Thirty Percent

  • Overall complication rates for breast implants are substantial, roughly 30% when including capsular contracture, breast implant illness, and ALCL.
  • Capsular contracture is an immune scar response forming hard, painful capsules around the implant; ALCL is a rare implant-associated lymphoma.
ADVICE

Remove Capsule Only When Safe

  • When performing explant, remove as much capsule as safely possible but weigh risk of chest wall or lung injury.
  • Kanevsky explains on-block capsulectomy is technically challenging and not always indicated if removal risks harm.
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