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Can I Get a Normal Mammogram After Breast Implants?

asked 3 years ago by Telisha in Lindenwold
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 5,455 times
Tags: silicone implant

I have breast implants and am wondering if there are different mamography procedures or if a standard mamography would suffice? Can anyone advise?

16 answers to Can I Get a Normal Mammogram After Breast Implants?

Effective Mammograms Possible after Breast Implants

Thank you for your question. Yes you certainly can and should have mammograms after breast implants. You will need to go to an experienced breast imaging center usually at a hospital or breast center who is experienced doing mammograms in patients with breast implants. A specific "distraction technique" is used to displace the implant so that the breast tissue may be imaged.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Breast implants and breast cancer surveillance

Telisha, Yes you can still get mammograms after breast augmentation. They can still see good results as long as the mammography center is familiar with the necessary technique modifications involved in adjustments to allow for visualization of breast tissues. You are at no additional risk for breast cancer with implants nor are you at additional risk for it going undetected. Please take some time to find the right center (and don't pick it out of convenience to your home exclusively). Best... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

There are several different imaging modalities for women with breast implants

There are several different imaging modalities for women with breast implants. Typically, radiologists begin with mammography in attempt to screen for or detect occult breast cancer lesions. When you have breast implants, be sure and tell the mammographer and your Ob/Gyn or PCP, as they may modify the imaging plan for your specific case. Women with breast implants typically get several extra imaging views in addition to the usual ones that involve pushing the implant against the chest and... more

Jennifer Walden, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon

Mammography and implants

There are mammography techniques that take into account the presence of breast implants. These techniques essentially push the implants away from the breast tissue so that the tissue may be imaged better and the implants are not injured. Most mammography centers use these techniques as standard method today. So, don't let your implants be an excuse for not getting a mammogram and as always seek the advice of your board certified plastic surgeon and/or your gynecologist if any question... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Better than Nothing

Many patients with breast implants after breast augmentation are afraid that mammography will injure their implants. Therefore, they put off having their mammograms done at the recommended intervals, or worse, put off having a mammogram at all. Because of the popularity of breast augmentation and the increasing percentage of women in the general population who have breast implants, newer imaging techniques have been devised to better visualize the breast while minimizing the chance of... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Ask your radiologist

All patients with breast implants should continue to do regular breast cancer surveillance. This includes self exams and mammography. Mammograms can be performed with various techniques including compression and displacement. You should have yours done at a large center where they visualize breast implants regularly and ask the technician which technique is best for you.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Mammogram after Breast Implants

Almost all mammography centers in 2011 are educated on the techniques to perform mammograms on women with breast implants. The technique known as the Eklund implant displacement technique has been around for many years and should be standard at all centers.

Robert Heck, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Mammography and breast implants

Mammography can still be performed with breast implants in place. Mammography technicians are trained to use specialized techniques for women with breast implants that help to image the breast tissue around the curved surface of the implants. Be sure to let the mammography provider know that you have breast implants when you schedule your mammogram. It is not possible to obtain a mammogram by imaging through the implants, only around them. Breast implants therefore potentially do reduce... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Mammogram post breast surgery

Many women are concerned with whether or not breast augmentation surgery may affect the results of a mammogram, the answer is "no". During your examination, radiologists usually ask if you have had some type of breast surgery prior to performing the exam. I recommend informing the examiner if they do not ask. Even with implants, a mammogram can be performed with no issues and will not affect the results of breast surgery. Take care and I hope this was helpful.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Mammogram after breast implants

Mammography is affected by the presence of implants. Depending on the size of the implants compared with the amount of breast tissue, the ability to see the breast tissue relies on the ability to displace the breast tissue in relationship to the implant. Many women with implants will also have a screening MRI of the breast to fully assess any suspicious areas on mammography. Due to the high numbers of women with breast implants, many radiology centers... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Mammography after breast augmentation is more complicated but just as accurate.

Women should continue recommended breast cancer screening after breast augmentation. The center should know implants are in place because it effects the technique. Nevertheless, the study is just as accurate with implants in place.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Implants and mammography

Mammogrpahy can be performed after having breast implants. There may be some issues with visualization, but the mammographer can use different compressin and displacment views to obtain the views that they need.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Special mammogram views for breast implants.

Hi. You need to see a radiologist who treats hundreds of women with breast implants, because you do need special views and special techniques to get an accurate mammogram after breast augmentation.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mammograms and Breast implants

Yes , you can get a mammogram after implants. Just let your mammographer know you have them and what kind they are. If they are gel implants, you should have an MRI instead.

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

www.newjerseyplasticsurgery.com

Mammogram after implants

To evaluate breast after breast implants your options are: Self examination Mammogram with modified compression (Eklund) views MRI (preferred for silicone implants) Patients express concern with the trauma of a mammogram, but in my 15 years of experience, it is rare to have a patient present with a rupture after a mammogram. Ruptures are unusual with slow steady pressure but are more common from repeated bending and flexing (stress fatigue) called crease fold failure. The benefits of a... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Cancer Screening with Breast Implants: MRI, Eklund technique, Mammogram

Routine mammograms may not identify the entire breast parenchyma in patients with breast implants. There are several alternatives: Eklund technique for mammograms- Be certain to inform your mammographer that you have breast implants and they will alter their standard technique to visualize more of the breast. This is known as the Eklund technique. MRI: This is fast becoming the gold standard to visualize the entire breast. It is expensive and not covered by all insurance policies... more