When should ruptured saline implants be removed is up to you

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD answers: How long can ruptured saline implants stay in my body?

My right saline implant ruptured or had a slight leak some time ago. I had my surgery 8 years ago, and my surgeon is in another state some 2000 miles away. How long can I live with this deflated saline implant in my body before it causes harm? Should I have it replaced or removed immediately?


Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
9 months ago

There is no medical necessity for removing a ruptured saline implant, the saline (saltwater solution) will be safely absorbed by your body, it will be basically determined by you, the patient, as to how soon after deflation this should take place. Deflations can happed any time after surgery, they can happen overnight or they can be slow in progression.

Implants come with a lifetime warranty (these can vary from company to company check with your physician) and deflation due to crease fold failure, patient trauma, or unknown cause and loss of valve integrity is covered. One word of caution, the longer you wait, the contracure of the space will occur so try to replace them earlier than later.

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A: No rush in replacing deflated saline implants, but don't wait too long

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
9 months ago

There is no rush to change your implants unless you are bothered by the size change and/or asymmetry. The saline will get reabsorbed and it is safe. However, I would not wait months or years as you will get some contraction of the capsule or scar around the implant, as it is smaller now and some contraction of your skin occurred.

Therefore, the exchange surgery will be a bit more involved in releasing the capsule so you can get back to the size you were before the implants deflated. It may also cause some additional discomfort post-op -- but nothing like the original surgery. Pick a time that is good for you but in the near future and not too distant future.

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