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How Do You Know if Your Implant Has a Slow Leak?

asked 1 year ago by pixiepixie in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Latest answer by Christine Sullivan, MD
Question viewed 1,108 times
Tags: leak, revision, rupture

a week ago i had breast enlargements,in the last 2 days my right breast has gotten considerably softer,less painfull,and noticibly smaller than the left,could this mean a rupture and if so when should i have it replaced

15 answers to How Do You Know if Your Implant Has a Slow Leak?

+2

Surgery two days ago.

At two days that breasts may be getting softer as the swelling subsides.  If it is noticeably different than the other one, you may want the surgeon to evaluate it.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+2

Leaking breast implant?

Go back to your surgeon and have them check.  It is common for one side to relax earlier than the other but in your case, the problem may actually be with the other side being too hard from fluid or hematoma around the implant.  This deserves a visit.   A manufacturer's defect in the implant would be very rare but can happen.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Implant Concerns

Contact your Board certified Plastic Surgeon to schedule a visit. Upon examination, you will know if there is a concern. best wishes!
Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implant rupture,Deflation of saline breast implant

If you are experiencing a delation of a saline breast implant, it is best to correct it sooner than later with a replacement surgery. If you wait too long, it becomes a larger surgery for you have to reopen the space that has contracted down. You may want to consider switching to silicone implants to avoid deflation again and usually a more natural appearance and feel with less ripples. See my unbeatable all-nclusive breast implant special. Watch my videos. 
Edward J. Domanskis, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast size change after augmentation.

In the first two weeks after breast augmentation, the breasts will become softer and smaller. This occurs as the swelling leaves the breasts. Sometimes, the swelling will leave one breast sooner than the other. If this is a large volume decrease and the implants are saline, it could mean a leak in the implant. This is unusual and would be noticed at your postoperative visit. On the other side, if the larger breast remains firm, increases in size, or starts to harden, this needs to be... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Early volume change in a saline implant is a leak until proven otherwise

It is very common for the breast size to decrease a small amount in the first few weeks following implantation. Most breasts will swell a bit during the implantation procedure, and it takes several weeks for the swelling to subside. However, if one breast has gotten significantly smaller than the other (whether one week or one year after surgery) then a rupture exists until proven otherwise.
Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Size change following augmentation may be a sign of leaking

Early size change at two days following a breast augmentation might be a sign of leakage if the implants are saline.  If the implants are silicone, it is unlikely that a leakage would manifest as an early size change.  If the size discrepancy between the two sides persists, you should return to see your surgeon.
Kevin F. Hagan, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saline implants, silicone implants

If you have saline implants then a leak will reveal decreased size sooner than silicone.  If you have a silicone implant you should have mammogram or ultrasound or MRI and that will show whether there is a leak. Otherwise it could be that one breast could have a seroma while the other not hence the size discrepancy. Suggest seeing your surgeon. HC
Helen S. Colen, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Do You Know if Your Implant Has a Slow Leak?

Run to see your operative surgeon ASAP! Sounds like a leak if there is a size decrease. From MIAMI DR. Darryl J. Blinski
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Do You Know if Your Implant Has a Slow Leak?

Your description of a decreasing size of the breast certainly sounds compatible with a slow leak. Seek your doctors attention.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Slow Leaking Implants?

Although feasible, it is almost unheard of for breast implants to leak this early after surgery. Once there is a hole in the shell, saline implants would deflate completely in a week while silicone implants may not change in feel and a MRI may be require to diagnose them. Since surgical swelling subsides gradually, I would follow up with your surgeon and let him advise you if a diagnostic study is required. It is highly unlikely the implant has leaked. Dr. Peter Aldea... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Did you have saline or silicone gel implants

If you had saline imants and there is a leak, your implant will deflate fully in 3-4 days. If you have silicone gel imant and there is a leak you will not notice it this soon because the implants in market are cohesive and will not leak out. The other possibility is the uneven swelling or hematoma on the other side. Please see your surgeon.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Early breast implant leak?

Pixie, Although swelling from breast augmentation may resolve asymmetrically (differently on different sides), it sounds as though you may have something else going on.  If you have saline implants then it is entirely feasible that an implant is leaking.  Conversely, if the more swollen breast has a hematoma (collection of blood) around the implant it may need to be drained.  You really need to see your surgeon for an evaluation.  Good luck! see video
Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

+1

Early changes after Breast Augmentation

A week after your surgery you should be discussing this with your surgeon. There is frequently significant swelling after Breast Enlargement, and this sometimes resolves asymmetrically. The only way you could have a leak is if you had Saline Implants, and this is quite rare. Call and see your surgeon the first of the week if you are still worried.  
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Early deflation of saline implant

It would be highly unusual, although not unheard of, to have such an early leak. Usually doctors test an implant intra-operative to check for mechanical leaks or valve malfunction. If there are none, then the only wat it could leak so soon is if it were injured during the procedure such as nicking it with a scalpel, puncturing it with a needle, or cauterizing it to heavy. There all should be avoidable with careful and attentive surgery. It might be that the opposite side is overly swollen.... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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