Reduction for Breasts with Freeflow Silicone?

asked 2 years ago by Nikki Civetti
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 300 times
Tags: breasts

I badly need breast reduction for my breasts with freeflow silicone injected over 25 years ago. Size 46DD or E. My breasts were perfect until I gained weight In last decade, and some nodules and bumpy tissue have developed. Biopsy shows no problems. Why are surgeons hesitant to help me with this surgery?

5 answers to Reduction for Breasts with Freeflow Silicone?

Free flow Silicone and Breast Reduction?

Thank you for the question. The presence of free silicone in the breast tissue complicates any type of breast surgery contemplated. The free silicone tends to become “incorporated” into the breast tissue making handling of the tissue difficult and increasing the potential for complications after surgery. During your breast reduction surgery I would suggest that you ask for as much effected tissue to be removed as possible. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction in breasts that have silicone injection

Unfortunately, when silicon is injected into the breast it can lead to very serious health and aesthetic issues. Your body may react very strongly to this and may create a great deal of scar tissue. To correct this, you will most likely need a large surgery that will remove the silicone and great deal of the scar tissue. This will be a very difficult and complicated procedure. Be sure that you're working with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is well familiar with the many... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Free silicone in breasts

The problem with free silicone in the breasts in part is exactly what you wrote about. Patients get lumps and firm areas of granulomatous reaction to the foreign body. The problem also becomes the issue of removing it and maintaining healthy tissues to close the wounds so that the breast heals. I have seen very big complications with this.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction in Breasts augmented with free silicone injections

I have attended three women who had breasts augmented with free silicone injections. Our experience summarized all the reasons why many surgeons are unwilling to participate in your care. All women requested subtotal removal of their breast tissue because of a) pain; b) palpable lumps; c) difficulty with mammograms and d) in one case, breast cancer. All three were offered "lumpectomy" but elected subcutaneous mastectomy, once informed about the natural history of free flowing... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Breast surgery after silicone injection

Injectable silicone creates hard and inflamed nodules as the droplets of silicone create a foreign body response. A reduction creates some real judgment problems for the plastic surgeon. Treatment of the injected material is surgical removal of the affected tissue. This could remove the blood supply to much of the remaining breast including the nipple and areola. It might be possible to reduce the tissue not affected and leave the injected breast which would be unorthodox and something that... more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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