Hard breast implants

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9 answers to “Hard breast implants”

A: MRI will answer your question about a leak

By David Rankin, MD - Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

With the new silicone implants, leak detection can be more difficult than in the past. A leak could definitely present with a hardened breast and this should be evaluated with an MRI which will detect this. You should be evaluated by a plastic surgeon who could set you up for this study. You could also simply... more

A: Hard implants most likely capsular contracture

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hard implants are more likely a capsular contracture than a leak. A ruptured implant would deflate if it was saline, or possibly become mishapen and flatter if it were gel. An MRI will detect a ruptured gel implant.

A: All gel implants leak to an extent.

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, Silicone implants all leak to some extent and a patient's body can respond to this silicone gel sometimes by depositing scar tissue and/ or calcium crystals. This is thought to occur less with the more modern cohesive gel implants, but we really do not know the bottom line here yet as they have not been... more

A: Gradually Harder? - A Capsule Summary

By Athleo Louis Cambre, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Patients may develop a progressive hardening of the breasts during the months and years following breast augmentation. This is called Capsular Contracture or Encapsulation. The cause of this condition is not clearly known, and the presentation is variable; some patients may develop it in only one breast,... more

A: Implants getting hard is not caused by leaking.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

After 4 years, you definitely should have an MRI of your breasts to make sure they are intact. But this is probably not the problem. You are getting capsular contracture around the intact implants. This happens to about 5 percent of patients and, most of the time, we do't know exactly why. If it's just a... more

A: Implants can form a hard capsule after many years.

By David A. Dreyfuss, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Although it is unusual, some women can form a hard scar, or capsular contracture, many years after the initial implant. Most firm capsules form within the first year after surgery. However, some women notice changes after pregnancy or nursing. No matter what the cause, it should be evaluated by your Plastic... more

A: Implants may harden even years after placement

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

The hardening of your breasts now four years after your surgery may mean that you are developing a capsular contracture. Every breast implant, and any foreign material placed within the body develops a scar capsule around it. In a small percentage (about 1 in 200 to 500) of woman with breast implants the... more

A: It sounds like capsular contracture

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

It is sometimes the case that implants will develop a hard scar around them causing a distorted look, a harder feel, and even pain on some occasions. All patients with implants form a "capsule" around the implant as this is a natural reaction by the body to something foreign. But in a "capsular contracture,"... more

A: Get evaluated by your plastic surgeon - It may be capsular contracture

By Robert Singer, MD - La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Silicone or saline breast implants can develop a condition called capsular contracture (where excess scar tissue forms around the implant) shortly after surgery or in years to come. The only way to determine what is causing your condition is the evaluation by your surgeon, and possibly an MRI to determine the... more