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How Long Can You Safely Leave a Leaking Saline Breast Implant In?

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leak saline implants

15 Doctor Answers | Asked by PennyArlington1964

Doctor Answers (15)
Community Comments (0)

How Long Can You Safely Leave a Leaking Saline Breast Implant In?

Best is to replace the implant promptly. If not, the pocket will begin to shrink, and what would be a simple procedure as in back to work the next day, will become more complex, requiring addition manipulation of the pocket, and more chance of less than good symmetry. Other than that, there is no harm in delaying for most people. However, if the deflated implant has firm folds, the implant may be uncomfortable, and may injure the breast skin if you lie on the implants. All the... more

No Exact Time Limit

There is no exact time limit but I like to remove them within one month or two before capsular contraction of the pocket becomes worse.

Complications with the pocket

Hello. The implant was created to be left in the body therefore the implant itself will not cause any problems and neither will the leaking saline. That being said it would be best to replace your implants as soon as possible to avoid complications pertaining to the pocket. With time the implant pocket will scar and close making replacement surgery more difficult. Jaime Perez, MD Breast Augmentation Specialist Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Ruptured saline implant.

There is no harm to your body leaving the implant in place. The saltwater in the implant will be absorbed by your body with no ill effect. The implant itself will not cause any additional reaction. However the capsule around the implant will contract over time and the space will need to be revised with placement of the new implant. If you have the implant replaced immediately, then the new implant can be placed in the old pocket without much manipulation. This will... more

Deflated Breast Implant

It is better to schedule surgery as soon as possible for implant replacement for a deflated breast implant to avoid the breast pocket from shrinking and closing.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD

4 reviews

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

What to do with a leaking saline implant?

I have had patients come to me with a deflated saline implants that happened years ago and wish to address the problem now. Although it is desirous to have the surgery to correct the deflated implant to restore symmetry and balance, the truth is that is not always medically necessary to have the surgery done immediately. Keep in mind that if a saline implant breaks, all that leaks out is saltwater. The saltwater is harmlessly absorbed into the body. On occasions, the... more

Is it wise to wait too long when saline breast implant is leaking?

It is not a good idea to delay surgery after a leak in saline implant starts to cause deflation of implant. Deflation leads to collapse of breast pocket which then starts to scar down and close. This makes replacement surgery more difficult and could cause asymmetry. Deflated implant also creates harsh implant shell folds. These folds have a potential to errode through muscle and skin. There is nothing to be gained from delaying surgery. Have it done as soon... more

Leaking saline implant

There is not set time to remove a saline implant that is ruptured. But, I think it is better to do it sooner than later so that the pocket does not shrink down.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Deflated Saline Implant

There is no set time to remove the leaking saline implant. The saline (salt water) would be resorbed by your body with issues and as long as the implant does not become infected you do have the luxury of time. Having said all of this it is advised to get this issue address as soon as possible to avoid any problems. Dr.ES

Cosmetic Surgery is an Art and a Science

Thank you for the question. You can have a leaky saline implant replaced/removed at any time. I am unaware of any risk in waiting as the saline is absorbed by your body. Your appearance may be a concern to you in the mean time. Replacing the implant is not difficult. Best Wishes Dr. Thomas Narsete Austin, Tx

Leaking Saline Implant and Safety?

There is no risk in leaving the implant in just as if it were filled. However, that breast most likely will look different in clothing etc...Remember that implants are typically covered by a warranty if the implant(s) are leaking. Check with the manufacturer of your implant and your surgeons office for more information on your warranty.

Leaking Saline Implant

Great question. There is no urgency to removing a ruptured saline implant. Your body will absorb the saline and the implant will collapse. The problem is a collapsed implant will form scar tissue around it closing down the implant pocket. This will make subsequent augmentation more difficult.

How long to leave a leaking saline implant in?

Technically, you could leave the implant in for the rest of your life. It is not dangerous to you. The saline should be sterile and would be absorbed by your body. Then, instead of an inflated implant, you would simply have a deflated implant. The implant itself is the same so it presents no more risk to you than it did when it was full.

Leaking Saline Breast Implant and Safety Concerns?

I'm sorry to hear about the complication you seem to be experiencing. Generally speaking, there is no “urgency” to remove leaking breast implants but you should be aware that over the course of several months the breast implant pockets may “shrink down” making the breast re-augmentation (if planned) slightly more challenging. However, from the "safety standpoint”, I would not allow the presence of a leaking saline breast implant disturb you. Best wishes. more

Leaking Saline Implant

In general, the saline leaking is not going to cause issues as your body will likely absorb this, and saline is a relatively innocuous substance. However, the longer you have an empty shell in your body the more involved the surgery will be to replace the implant. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA