Breast Implants: Q&A

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Breast Implants Leak Due to Sleeping Position

I am a stomach sleeper. My breast seem to be getting smaller over time by their look and bra size. Also over time, the rippling is becoming more noticeable. Could sleeping on my stomach cause a slow leak that only happens every night? Can a visit to a doctor determine this or would a surgery be needed? I had them done in 2000 and they are saline filled. Thank you for the info.

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by proud army wife in 85641

Doctor Answers (15)
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Implants and stomach sleepers.

Thanks for your question. Typically saline implants manifest leaks quickly. This means that if there's a leak it should happen quickly. Slow leaks are very unusual for saline implants. In addition sleeping on your stomach should not cause implant ruptures in any type of implant. Anytime you're concerned about the shape change in your breasts you should see your surgeon. I hope this helps!

Return to your plastic surgeon for re-evaluation

Thanks for your question. I definitely would recommend that your return to your plastic surgeon for reevaluation. It is unlikely that sleeping on your stomach has caused the changes that you have observed. With rippling, there is a probable chance that you are experiencing issues with scar capsular contraction. If you are unable to see or locate your original treating plastic surgeon, please see a board certified/eligible plastic surgeon experience in breast surgery. I hope you find this... more

Implants and sleeping on stomach

I do not think that sleeping on yoru stomach will make your implants leak. If they are leaking they will deflate and you will notice it.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sleeping position does not affect leaking

Hello proud army wife, The position you sleep in does not affect the integrity of the implant. A change in apparent volume may be due to any number of factors like thinning of your own breast tissue over time, more drooping, an additional pregnancy or change in weight. Having said that, I have seen the very rare saline implants (especially the textured type) leak through the valve with certain arm movements, as tissue has gotten trapped between the pig-tail and the valve itself. Best to... more

Unlikely for sleeping position to deflate implants

Saline breast implants can fail or deflate at any time following implantatoin. However, when it happens, it usually becomes apparent following a few days. You can have a partial deflation for a short while; however, it eventually fully deflates if you wait long enough. Breasts change over time, especially following augmentation. Changes occur with age, weight changes, pregnancy, etc. It is not uncommon to feel that one's breasts are getting smaller or 'looser' as the skin further expands... more

If it were a saline leak, it would happen much faster

It sounds like it is not a leak. However, without examining you it is hard to tell. If you implants are saline filled and had a lead, the size would decrease much faster that what you are describing. It is best to go back to your surgeon for a consultation.

A breast implant leak is possible

Dear Proud Army Wife, The scenario you describe is possible, but it is extremely rare for both implants to leak at the same time and at the same rate. Slow saline leaks do occur though and may take weeks or months to deflate the implants. If you have leaking implants the cause of the leak is not sleeping on your stomach, per se, but your nine years of arm and body movements that over time wear down the implant shell. Decreasing breast size and increasing rippling are signs of leaking... more

Very unlikely for sleeping position to cause implant leak

It is not out of the question that sleeping on your stomach is causing a "micro" leak of your implants through the valve. However, all of your described changes can be explained by the passing of time, and perhaps some weight change on your part. The implants will settle in the pocket with time, and ultimately may not be where they were a few years ago. Wrinkling is common with saline implants, especially when you lose some weight and this is reflected with a loss of breast... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ask you doctor

It is very unlikely that saline implant to have partial leak. Please check with your doctor and have him to examine you. You may have some breast changes due to weight loss and also hormonal changes.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Probably check with your doctor

It would be highly unlikely for both implants to be symmetrically leaking simultaneously regardless of your sleeping position. It is possible though that downward compression on the implants is stretching the lateral tissues and thinning them out making the wrinkling and rippling of the saline implants more noticeable. Your tissues may also be thinning as you age and or lose body fat, making the breasts seem smaller and the implants fluidity more apparent.

Various causes of leaking saline implants

Saline implants can leak quickly or very slowly. They may deflate completely or only partially. Usually this is due to fold failure or small cracks from the friction at creases or at the valve. Rarely it is caused by blunt trauma. Sleeping on your stomach shouldn't by itself cause the implants to leak. They are manufactured to withstand high pressures so you could virtually stand on them without rupturing. But what you describe suggests a slow leak. Check with your surgeon. The bottom line... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Very Interesting

It would not be impossible, but extremely unlikely that both implants would deflate at the same time and approximately the same rate. Having said that, here are some thoughts. A doctor visit wound't hurt. He would likely not be able to diagnose a leak on physical exam alone. You are the expert on your breasts and it sounds like something is shrinking. However the doctor could evaluate you and decide if you need a mammogram or some other diagnostic test. LIkely, he would just want to... more

Breast implant leaking from sleeping position unlikely

Sleeping on your stomach early after surgery could cause implant displacement or suture breaking. The few saline leakage I have seen go dramatically smaller over a short time. One of my patient quoted this as a" flat tire"! I recommend you to have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area and he will be able to answer all your questions and detect leak if present.

Does not sound like a leak

Saline breast implants do leak and once they do they deflate. There is no nightly change to them just because you are a stomach sleeper. They symptoms you are describing typically occur after some weight loss or post pregnancy changes. Your breast tissue becomes thinner and you will notice the bra not fitting as well and also see the implant rippling become more noticeable. The best thing to do is return to your surgeon for an evaluation. Your options may be to switch to a silicone gel... more

Sleeping position should not affect implant

If you have a slow leak, it would take some time and the implant would eventually get smaller. If one side is doing this and the other isnt it may be a leak. Unlikely that this is happening to both sides. You may have enlarging of the skin envelope and decrease in your body fat and breast tissue to explain the rippling. I would just recommend to go see your plastic surgeon and have him/her judge. Hope that helps.