Breast Reconstruction: Q&A

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How Do I Know if my Silicone Implants Are Not Leaking After Reconstruction?

I had a bi lateral mastectomy 7/11/12 with expanders and on 11/4/12 had 800cc natrelle silicone. I am having a lot of pain in left breast and under armpit. It is painful to the touch. But my right one is not bad at all. I do not have cancer it was prophylactic. I am 33yrs old.

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age 25-34 mastectomy pain silicone implant 6 months post-op expander

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by meowtattoo

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Silicone implant rupture

Pain after mastectomy and breast reconstruction with implants can be from many things. Often silicone implant rupture is silent, or without symptoms, and found on imaging.The best way to determine the source of pain is a history, physical exam and imaging, likely an MRI. 3 months out from surgery, aside from implant rupture, it could be early capsular contracture or scar tissue, infection, muscular pain or costochondritis, or something else entirely. Implant rupture is not common this early... more

Implant rupture after mastectomy

I am sorry to hear of your troubles after your breast reconstruction. It is oftentimes difficult to determine if there is a rupture of a silicone implant by clinical examination. Sometimes the first signs are a change in shape or capsular contracture. It would be unusual for you to have a rupture this soon after placement of these implants at the second stage of your reconstruction. Typically, rupture does not present with pain. If there is any concern, an MRI... more

Pain after breast reconstruction

Pain after breast reconstruction can be from alot of different things. It is best to be seen in person. A silicone leak does not usually present with pain unless you had trauma.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Leak/rupture of a silicone implant

It is often difficult to tell on an exam if a silicone implant is ruptured, but if there is concern, an MRI and/or ultrasound can be helpful. You recently had surgery and thus the pain could be due to other issues such as infection or scar tissue. You should discuss this with your surgeon and be evaluated. Best of luck.

Silicone leak in breast reconstruction

One way to tell if the implant is leaking is to do an MRI. it's not perfect, but has a high sensitivity. The pain could be due to multiple issues including contracture, nerve impingement with suture, or scar tissue.

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Breast Reconstruction: Q&A