How long can ruptured saline implants stay in my body?

A leaking or deflated saline implant is not an emergency but it should be attended semi urgently. Once the implant fluid is absorbed by your body, not only will you have an apparent "deflation", but your body will begin to tighten the capsule around the implant making future surgical corrections more difficult... more

Saline breast implants don't leak, they rupture and deflate pretty quickly. A partially or completely deflated saline implant can be left in place for a few weeks but the pocket will shrink slowly and scar tissue can set in making the replacement a little more difficult in some patients. It is not... more

The best time to replace a ruptured saline implant is immediately after the deflation is noticed. The reason for this is that the capsule, or scar layer surrounding the implant will begin to shrink down around the deflated implants.  After a certain time passes (approximately 2-4 weeks), replacing the... more

There is no medical necessity for removing a ruptured saline implant, the saline (saltwater solution) will be safely absorbed by your body, it will be basically determined by you, the patient, as to how soon after deflation this should take place. Deflations can happed any time after surgery, they can happen... more

There is no rush to change your implants unless you are bothered by the size change and/or asymmetry. The saline will get reabsorbed and it is safe. However, I would not wait months or years as you will get some contraction of the capsule or scar around the implant, as it is smaller now and some contraction of... more

I had a patient who had bilateral implant ruptures for many years without problem. As long as you do not have a problem there is no rush. I wouldn't recommend waiting years or even too many months. Get it taken care of when practical.

A ruptured saline breast implant is noticed almost immediately in the vast majority of cases. The saline is absorbed into the body without any harmful effects. Although having a ruptured saline implant is certainly an inconvenience, it is not a medical emergency to have it replaced. It certainly can be... more

I agree with the answer below- tightening of the connective tissue pocket around your implant will progress with time. While this is possible to improve at surgery, the chances of you achieving an excellent outcome and symmetry are higher if you have this managed sooner rather than later. Having said that,... more

Hello, When a ruptured saline implant is left in place, the pocket in which that implant sits tends to close down. It can be opened again at surgery, but may not heal as well the second time around. For this reason , I recommend earlier as opposed to later replacement optimally within weeks of the rupture... more

Leaking saline implants pose no health risk to the patient, since the saline that filled the implant is sterile and will simply be absorbed by the body. A leaking saline implant can create a variable degree of asymmetry, depending upon the extent of the leakage (partial vs. complete), and depending upon how... more