Breast Implants Safe if Lumps Are Present?

asked 2 years ago by Marissa155 in New York City, New York
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 992 times
Tags: fibrocystic, lumps, risk

I have breast lumps for about 3 years now, several doctors advised me to get surgery and have them removed. However I did not listen to them and over time my breast lumps got smaller. I am considering breast augmentation and I'm wondering if having breast lumps prior to surgery may have health risks or complications?

12 answers to Breast Implants Safe if Lumps Are Present?

Breast lumps in a patient with implants for augmentation or enlargement

The lumps themselves will not be effected by the surgery. However, I would strongly recommend obtaining a new mammogram prior to surgery and at least 6 months but no more than 1 year after surgery to establish your augmented breast baseline. The real issue with this situation occurs when and if you develop a new lump after surgery. Typically the question of a benign or malignant mass must be resolved. Although mammogram, ultrasound and MRI may be useful, ultimately you may require a biopsy.... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants and breast lumps

The first thing you need to do is to be sure the lumps are benign. There are characteristic appearances on mammograms and ultrasounds that now allow radiologists to make a call often about what the lump is fairly often. Nothing replaces a tissue diagnosis, though, and either having them removed or at least needle biopsied is reasonable. As long as this is done before implants are placed and as long as the implants are placed below the muscle, most surgeons would go ahead. Your family... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lumps Prior to Breast Augmentation

Lumpy bumpy breasts are not uncommon in many young women. Benign Fibrocystic disease (as many of us were trained to call it) is more aptly called fibrocystic condition because of the high rate at which it affects young women. This is kind of analogous to contour irregularity after liposuction-it happens to everyone to varying degrees so it's not a complications. But I digress. Getting a subpectoral breast augmentation is safe. You will have to tell your radiographer when you get a... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Breast lumps and breast augmentation

I believe you are a candidate for breast augmentation. However, before proceeding with your breast implant procedure, you must be assessed by a breast surgeon to make sure these lumps are *benign*. Your breast surgeon may order imaging studies like a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI to aid in the diagnosis. A biopsy may be required. Once you are sure these masses as benign, it is OK to proceed with your breast augmentation procedure.

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

Investigate breast lumps prior to augmentation

You did not mention your age which could have implications to your overall care. It is important to know the overall density of your breasts and if there are any potential problems with accurate visualization of your breasts with mammography. An implant may interfere with your mammogram. If you have continued problems with cysts the mammogram may not be as effective at early detection. If you simply have fibrocystic disease, which is not a pre-malignant condition, then you should be fine to... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast Augmentation with Fibrocystic Breasts

The vast majority of American Plastic surgeons are fully trained General surgeons. As such we have a good understanding of Breast Disease and a healthy respect for the ability of benign-appearing breast "cysts" to actually represent something more ominous. If you have a family history of breast cancer, or if you want to know FOR SURE what these breasts masses are - you should see a Breast Surgeon and potentially have needle guided core biopsies of the masses. A baseline mammogram... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Cystic breasts and augmentation

Marissa, Many women have successful, safe breast augmentation surgery in the face of cystic breasts. Other important concerns include your age, and whether you have a family history of breast cancer. Most plastic surgeons obtain a baseline mammogram for augmentation patients over 30 years of age. Placement of implants under the breast tissue does cause some compression of the tissue and may make imaging with mammography slightly less effective. However, most mammographers today are well... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Breast lumps need complete evaluation before breast augmentation.

Hi. 1) You need to go to a breast surgery specialist (not a plastic surgeon) first. I work with Dr Lauren Cassell, who is excellent. 2) The breast surgery specialist will tell you what studies or biopsies you need. 3) Once the breast lumps have been removed or at least determined to be entirely benign, then it is safe to consider breast augmentation.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Masses with Breast Augmentation

The breast masses should be fully evaluated prior to surgery. After that, assuming that they are not cancer, you should be fine with the Breast Augmentation.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Breast lumps and implants

There really is no reason that you cannot have implants. They implants may make the lumps easier to feel. They also will block some of the mammogram beams and therefore may miss some of the breast tissue during mammograms. If there is concern about the lumps they should be investigated regardless of implants.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Breast lumps should be checked out before having implants

You sound as if you need to have your breasts evaluated by your gynecologist or a surgeon first. A mamogram or ultrasound will probably be reccomended too. Many women have benign breast lumps which can just be thickend breast tissue, but you do want to make sure you have nothing bad going on there before cosmetic breast surgery.