Any breast lump should be evaluated

Lumps can be a normal feeling under your breast , especially after breast augmentation surgery using saline implants. These lumps usually are felt in the area by your breast fold. Feeling the implant in this area especially a saline implant is very common. You didn't mention if the implant is above or below the muscle? Also, sometimes if you have very little breast tissue prior to surgery, the implant may be felt. But it could be a suspicious breast lump. Again, a quick visit back to your surgeon can answer these questions.

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Saline breast implants inherently can be much easier felt, or occasionally seen when used in augmentation. The saline can ripple or in certain postions a slight fold can be felt much like a small bubble that you can displace with your fingers.

The performance and appearance of a breast implant is affected by the placement whether it be under the muscle or just under the gland of the breast, and by the amount of the the natural breast tissue to cover and hide the implant.

Most often we place a saline implant under the muscle, though still the lower edge and outside edge of the implant will be covered by breast tissue only and at this area the implant may be felt, or a ripple can occur. If you are small or have had a very full augmentation the coverage may be thinner and the implant more easily felt.

Despite the bubble you feel you still may enjoy a very pretty augmentation with your saline impants. As a note of caution any breast lump should be evaluated by your doctor.

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I completely agree with Dr. Johnson's assessment and recommendation.

Any breast lump needs to be evaluated by a qualified health care professional. In the meantime to allay your fears, I offer the following suggestions.

1. I believe, like him that it is the implant.
2. These are the factors that help you distinguish a mass from the implant,

Implant folds/get worse when you bend over; masses don't

put your hand on the lower and outer part of the breast, while bending over feel if the folds are worse

Implants feel cooler; masses feel warmer

implant folds have a push back quality;masses don't;

this means that if you push in on the lump, it will pop back out as the fold/wrinkle comes back.

implant folds occur on the outer and lower quadrant of the breast where there is little breast tissue to hide them; masses statistically occur more often in the upper outer quadrant of the breast where the majority of breast tissue exists.

I hope this helps.

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Saline implants would have couple of reasons why you may feel a lump. Either you are feeling a fold and that would be more pronounced if the implant is placed above the muscle or you are very thin and without much breast tissue. Or you may be feeling the implant valve area if the lump you are feeling is in the center of your breast. Again these would be the result of the implant not having adequate coverage.

However, no breast lump should be left alone without a full evaulation by your surgeon. I would recommend calling your surgeon as soon as possible to schedule a follow-up visit.

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