Silicone Implants 8 Years Ago. Breast Has Become Lumpy and Painful - Is It Dangerous?

I had the cohesive sillicone gel implants in 2002. Over the past few months the left one has changed shape and become lumpy in various places and is painful. I was wondering if it is a matter of urgency that I have them replaced and will the following surgery be a much more complicated procedure?

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by 478570anon in London

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Silicone Breast implants and deflation

Most likely you have developed signifcant amount of capsular contracture after having had breast augmentation with silicone implants. There is even the possibility that the implant might have ruptured. I have had at lease one patient with a cohesive type silicone implant who had parts of the implant break off and show up as a lump (see picture in web reference). You need to be evaluated by a board certified plastics surgeon and have your implant evaluated with an MRI before considering... more

Lumpy Painful breast following augmentation mammoplasty

It sounds like you have a capsular contracture. This is when the scar that the body makes to surround the implant off begins to tighten causing deformity and hardening of the implant. This can be quite painful. It also may result in lumpiness as the implant is being squeezed, it is folding on itself. Alternatively, a rupture of a capsule can allow some of the implant to leak outside of the capsule that has surrounded the implant causing lumpiness. Usually when... more

Suddenly lumpy and painfull breast augmentation in critical areas

You should schedule a consultaiton with a certified plastic surgeon who would most likely obtain imaging studies such as an MRI to evaulate the breast and help plan surgery which most likley would require a capsulectomy and possible resection of extracapsular silicone

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Implants lumpy?

Lumpy implants? Is not a goo thing. You should have it checked out first by your surgeon then decide when to have them redone.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Painful, lumpy breast after silicone augmentation

You may have a ruptured silicone breast implant which is causing you to have pain and a lump. There are no health risks of this condition but you may consider surgery to have the implant and the scar tissue removed and replaced with a new implant. This may also alleviate your painful symptoms. This can be a more complicated surgery than your first one, especially if the contents of the implant have spread within the breast pocket or space surrounding the implant. The... more

Painful breast after Breast Augmentation

It sounds like you have a capsular contracture. This is excessive scar tissue that forms around an implant. The treatment involves removal of the capsule and/or change in the original pocket placement. The best advice is to visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to get all of your options. Dr. ES

Breast changes with implant rupture

It sounds like you might have a leaking silicone implant and subsequent breast tissue changes- capsular contracture. Seek out a board certified plastic surgery for an examination- he may request an ultrasound or other study to assess the integrity of the implant prior to replacement surgery.

Breast contour changes after Implants

You could have a rupture of your implant, or increases in scar tissue around your implant (capsular contracture). I would advise a visit to your plastic surgeon for evaluation. An imaging study such as mammogram or MRI may clarify your diagnosis. I recommend surgery to remove and replace implants in the situation of ruptures, but non urgently. I would also rule out any other issue that could require a more urgent treatment.

Dealing with Deformed, Painful Augmented Breast (Capsular Contracture)

Regarding: "Silicone Implants 8 Years Ago. Breast Has Become Lumpy and Painful - Is It Dangerous? I had the cohesive sillicone gel implants in 2002. Over the past few months the left one has changed shape and become lumpy in various places and is painful. I was wondering if it is a matter of urgency that I have them replaced and will the following surgery be a much more complicated procedure?" I sounds like you are either forming serious scar tissue around an intact... more

Ruptured silicone implants should be removed

It sounds like your aging silicone implant has ruptured, leading to the lumps and pain you are feeling. At the very least, you should see a plastic surgeon to confirm the implant rupture and rule out other causes for your breast lumps and pain (infection, cancer, etc). Once it's clear that an implant rupture is your issue, I would recommend removal sooner rather than later. The symptoms you have won't improve, and they could worsen. You will need a capsulectomy... more