How to Detect a Rupture in a Breast Implant?

This is a great question! We are in the latest generation silicone devices with the shells getting stronger and the gel much thicker or "cohesive". I am an Allergan guy but you may be surprised that the round gel implants filler inside is essentially the same gel, memory or not. It is like a thick jello material so even if the shell does fail, most of the gel stays inside the implant itself. If some knucles out it nearly 100% stays inside the implant capsule or internal "zip-lock" bag your body forms around your implant (called an intra-capsular rupture). The latest generation form stable implants like the Natrelle 410 or CPG that are currently available in the US in clinical trials only...hopefully approved soon...contain even thicker more cohesive gel with even lower shell failure rates less than 1% at 8 years.
The FDA when approving gel implants back on the US market about 3 years ago have recommended MRIs at 3-5-7 years looking for shell abnormalities. We are just beginning a very exciting IRB study with GE looking at gel implants with high resolution ultrasound looking at shell abnormalities and comparing them with MRI. Early results are exciting...so hopefully in the future we will have an easy inexpensive test to follow and screen your implants over time.
Nearly All implants will need to be replaced at some point so you should be prepared for that but it is very straightforward to replace a current generation implant because the gel is so much more thick and your pocket is already stable.
Even with this potential of "silent rupture", the research shows that every disease a woman can get including autoimmune disease and breast cancer is the same in women with a silicone gel implant or a woman with no implant.
All my Best!

It's a great question. The answer really depends on what type of implants you have. If saline implants leak, they simply deflate, your body absorbs the saline fluid, and there are no issues. It's important to know that the latest generation of silicone implants are made of a solid silicone gel, so they don't leak out if the shell were to break. This is an important safety feature. Older liquid silicone can cause irritation of the tissues when it leaks out around the implant. If you suspect a rupture, it's important to contact a board-certified plastic surgeon so that you can be seen in person. They will examine you and may order imaging (typically an MRI).

Thank you for your question.  Detection of an implant rupture or shell tear depends upon what type of implant a patient has.  With saline breast implants, patients will know if they suffered a implant rupture or leak almost immediately as they will see a natural deflation in the size of the affected breast.  Saline implants contain saline fluid which your body can easily absorb, however, I do not recommend leaving a ruptured or leaking implant in for any prolonged period of time.  With silicone gel implants, on the other hand, patients are not generally able to tell if there is an issue or any compromise to their implants.  Most silicone implant issues are silent, meaning that there are no noticeable signs or symptoms of any issue, and require an MRI for detection.  I inform all of my patients that 3 years after their breast augmentation procedure that they will be sent for a MRI to check the integrity of their silicone gel implants.  I do recommend that patients with implants of any kind (either saline or silicone) perform monthly breast exams.  Furthermore, any issues, concerns or differences that a patient may notice should always be addressed at a follow up appointment for evaluation.  I hope you find this helpful!