Breast Implants: Q&A

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I Feel Saline Implant Valve

I have Mentor Saline HP Smooth Round 380 cc Implants filled to 450. They were placed by INF approach and placed dual plane. I can palpate a ridge, approximately the size of a quarter to the right of my nipple on my right breast and it's smooth in the center. I have already had several consultations with PS's and I have been told that I have bottomed out and have lateral displacement as well so I need revision surgery but was just wondering if this is normal?

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Mentor 450-499cc saline implants bottom out displacement normal smooth valve

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by tshall in Clarksville, TN

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Breast Implant valve and Malposition

Thank you for the question. Yes it is possible in the rare patient to feel the implant valve associated with saline breast implants. Also, as you describe, one of the most common complications after breast augmentation surgery is implant mal-position. This occurs when the implant is in an incorrect position on the chest wall. This may include incorrect position of the implant superiorly (“riding high”), inferiorly (“bottoming out”), medially... more

Implant Valve and Malposition

You raise two questions. Yes you may be feeling the implant valve particularly if you have thin skin. This is inconsequential. The other problem is lateral displacement and bottoming out. Revisional surgery with placement of internal sutures called a capsulorrhaphy or another procedure using a neo capsule may be beneficial. You should discuss these options with your plastic surgeons. A gel implant may give a better feel and be better if you have thinning skin.

Saline breast implant palpability: Convert to Silicone

Implant palpability is the most common difference in saline breast implants as compared to silicone breast implants. The deformity you are feeling may represent the breast implant valve. This could be alleviated with a change of breast implants from saline to silicone. please refer to a board certified plastic surgeon for this problem.

Saline implant valve can be palpable.

In thin individuals with overfilled saline implants, the valve can sometimes be felt. As for the bottoming out and lateral displacement, it sounds as though your overall tissues are not supporting the implants very well. Consider the use of a dermal matrix (Strattice) to provide an "internal bra" for longer term support. If your muscle has window-shaded and the overlying breast tissue is quite thin, the Strattice can also help camouflage the implant valve. Switching to gel implants... more

David Bogue, MD

6 reviews

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

I Feel Saline Implant Valve

Feeling the anterior valve is the norm in slender individuals. As for re operation you posted no photos so can not advise.

Breast Implant Valves

In thin women either with thin skin or small amount of breast tissue it is common to feel the breast valve region with saline breast implants. If you need a revision of your augmentation due to lateral displacement of your implants then you might consider converting to silicone implants at that time. Smooth silicone implants do not have a valve.

Saline Breast Implant Valve Palpability

It is possible you are feeling the valve of the saline implant or you may be feeling scar tissue that has attached to the valve. Either way, your remaining breast tissue must be fairly thin to be able to palpate it. There is no harm to the implant or your breast because it can be felt. Given that you may be considering revisional surgery for implant repositioning, it may be wise to consider changing to silicone implants. Silicone implants are not manufactured with valves in them since... more

Implant valve

Saline implants have exactly waht you describe a valve that is the size of a quarter where you will feel it below the nipple or to the side. Silicone implants do not have this.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Thin soft tissue coverage

Hello, It sounds like the tissue coverage you have is thin. Your implants are likely too large for that coverage. A change to gel might solve the problem to an extent as well as downsizing your implants. You need to be evaluated to ascertain your options. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

Feeling a valve on a saline implant

This can happen with saline implants in certain cases. You may consider converting to silicone implants which do not have valves. Your tissue also may have thinned out which is contributing to the valve's prominence. A board certified plastic surgeon can outline a surgical plan for your revision. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno

Feeling an implant valve after augmentation

The valve on a saline breast implant is on the back side, and even if the implant has turned over it should be very difficult to feel the valve. Your breast must have thinned over the overfilled saline implant. A silicone gel implant will be a better choice if you choose a revision. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

If you can feel the implant valve then coverage is too thin

From your description it sounds like the implant has flipped back to front, since the valve is a small bump but on the back of the implant there is a patch about the diameter of a quarter with a ridge around the edge. More important is that if you can feel it, your tissue coverage is very thin despite the implant being under the muscle. You may wish to look into the option of a Strattice graft, which makes a sort of internal bra. This would support repair of the lateral displacement... more

Palpable saline implant valve

In exceptionally this patients, and your implants may have thinned you out, it is possible to feel the valve. You can't with gel so you might consider a revision and pocket repair and replacement with gel. see photos