4 years post op breast implants and now they are getting hard. Could something be leaking?

Thank you for your question.

Breast Implants that become hard usually indicate Capsular Contracture or scar tissue around the implants. This is not an indication of leakage.

See your doctor for an exam. There is normally a small amount of silicone leakage around all silicone gel implants but this is not harmful.

A rupture of the implant typically follows trauma of some kind and results in a change of the shape of the implant. An MRI is used to diagnose a rupture.

The causes of Capsular Contracture are not fully understood. However low grade bacterial infection or excessive bleeding during the placement of the implants are both believed to contribute.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should be evaluated by your plastic surgeon. If the diagnosis is made of capsular contracture, depending on its severity, the implants may need to be removed and replaced.
Symptoms:
The implant begins to feel hard
The implant looks smaller, more ball-shaped, or distorted in some other form
The implant is higher on your chest
Pain, tightness, discomfort in your chest
I hope that answers your question regarding your symptoms. It’s great that you’re doing this research. I always say that the best patients are informed patients.
You might also want to research your options for breast implants in case you need to have your current ones replaced. Choosing the right implant is the number one concern among women considering breast augmentation. Did you know, there’s actually a way to select a implant shape, size, and profile that is perfect for you?
A term that I use with my patients for the perfect implant is the “Pony Implant”.
So what do I mean by “perfect”? Well, a Pony Implant has three qualities to it. First, the implant meets your beauty goals. For example, you want to your breasts to look fuller while still appearing natural.
Second, when you chose your Pony Implant, you walk out of your consultation 100% confident that you’ve chosen the right shape and size for you. In other words, you won’t be second guessing your decision, and you won’t be afraid of having gone too big or too small.
And third, after your procedure, you are thrilled with your results, and say, "I’m so happy. This is exactly what I wanted!"
That’s the Pony Implant. And the great news is that there is a simple process to go about finding yours.
This issue of selecting the right implant is so important when it comes to patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction that, again, I really encourage you to learn more about it.
Thank you for reading and best of luck on your journey!

Thank you for your question.  If your implants are just now becoming hard, it may be indicative of a capsular formation around your implants.  Scar tissue around implants is the bodies natural response to the implant (foreign object) but occasionally this response is heightened and the scar tissue grows and constricts around your implant, commonly referred to as a capsular contracture.  I would recommend following up with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a complete clinical assessment.  It is possible that a physical exam may be all that's necessary but your doctor may send you for a MRI of the bilateral breasts to examine the health of your current implants or diagnosis an implant rupture.  I hope you find this helpful and best of luck!