Replacing Ruptured Silicon Implant - Pros and Cons? (photo)

I have my silicon implants for 10 years, and just discovered through MRI and Ultrasound that right one is raptured (but the silicon is contained within the implant) and left has some mild signs of rapture. I am 33 and was planning to get pregnant this year with my first child - would it be reccomended to wait until I finish my pregnancies and then replace the imlants, or better replace them now?How would pregnancy affect the newly installed implants, will I have to do another relacement? thanks!

Tags:

age 25-34 rupture silicone implant 10 years post-op pros and cons replacement silicone injection

Comment on this

12 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mermaid555

Doctor Answers (12)
Community Comments (0)

Rupture Implant and Starting a Family

You may want to consider removal of your implant now. Start and complete your family. Once your family is completed then you can have your breast evaluated to determine if anything needs to be done based on the changes that occurred during pregnancy. Dr. ES

Replacing Ruptured Silicon Implant - Pros and Cons?

Replace is the correct path to follow as soon as possible, especially prior to pregnancy. Good luck.

Ruptured Silicone Implants

I would replace the implants prior to pregnancy as that is the usual recommendation when a rupture is diagnosed. Pregnancy should not affect the implants, but it usually changes the shape of the breasts. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Ruptured implant(s) should be replaced, but 21% of MRI "ruptures" are false positives.

To me, the question to be answered is "Why did you have an MRI and ultrasound in the first place?" If you had a recent trauma (like a car accident and seat belt bruise to your breasts) prompting the studies, well, fine. But if you were otherwise asymptomatic, why were these studies obtained? Let's assume you had some sort of concern: new pain in one or both breasts, new firmness (capsular contracture), or just that one or both breasts "felt" different. Then THAT is the reason to consider... more

Replacing ruptured silicone implants

Once there is evidence of rupture it is better to replace them sooner then later. Over time the silicone can potentially migrate out of the capsule and cause more problems and require more extensive surgery. Only highly cohesive implants have shown reduced risk of bleed outside of the scar tissue, traditional cohesive implants can be associated with gel migration outside of the scar tissue.

Replace Ruptured Silicone Implants Before Pregnancy?

Since you have a diagnosed rupture and are currently not pregnant, I would recommend that you replace the implants sooner rather than later. Once you are pregnant you will not be able (short of some emergent condition) to have the surgery for the term of the pregnancy plus a period afterward. During this time you may experience problems and complications as a result of the untreated rupture. I suggest you consult directly with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who can help you to... more

Eugene J. Sidoti, Jr., MD

3 reviews

Scarsdale Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured Silicone #BreastImplant

If you have a rupture diagnosed on MRI, the normal recommendation is to have this replaced. There is no science that this is an emergency of will have a particular negative health impact. However, when there is limited information (and potential for pregnancy) most surgeons will recommend a replacement. There is no way to predict what a future pregnancy will do to your breasts, however it is possible you will need additional surgery after your pregnancies to restore the shape of... more

Ruptured Silicone Implants

If they have found a rupture, then the implants should be replaced. It is not an emergency, but should be done sooner rather than later. As for the surgery, it is usually much less involved in terms of time of surgery and also recovery when the implants are exchanged. I would suggest talking about your options with your plastic surgeon. Good Luck.

Implants and rupture

I think that once a rupture is identified it is best to treat it and exchange it for a new one. Good luck with your decision.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silent rupture with silicone gel

While it is true that with more cohesive gels the silicone will stay 'with' the breast implant. However once the silicone rubber shell has torn, the gel in contact with the capsule will cause irritation and eventual capsular contracture. Few would suggest that you not replace your ruptured implants now rather than later.