Silicone nodules in armpit from ruptured implant

I have silicone nodules still in my armpit. I recently had seven nodules and two lymph nodes out, and now several more now in my armpit! Who should I go to?

What doctor should I go to after I have done four surgeries in my left breast? Can all the silicone be removed out of me? MRI revealed several in armpit and one in the middle left over from a ruptured silicone breast implant. Any idea as to why the surgeon didn't get it all out? My surgery in 2007 was three hours long and a drain placed in me afterwards. She wouldn't take me seriously when I said was experiencing soreness and pain in my armpit. Help!

Sort: Date | Helpful
8 answers to “Silicone nodules in armpit from...”

A: Silicone in Armpit

Armando Soto, MD

Hi there- I'm sorry to hear about your problem. I'm sure you are worrying about this... The good news is that there is no medical reason to worry that the silicone that remains in your armpit will ever cause you a health concern. Silicone is inert and won't harm you. The more difficult detail is that when this... more

A: Remember, silicone is not going to harm you.

George J. Beraka, MD

Hi! In New York, we have seen at least 2 dozen breast augmentation patients similar to you.  Here are some facts: 1)  It has been scientifically shown that silicone does not cause any diseases.  Therefore, it is not necessary to remove every last bit of silicone from your body. 2)  Even if... more

A: ? Remove the silicone nodules

David Shafer, MD

 You really have to weigh the risks and benefits of the decision to remove the nodules/nodes, since there are risks with any surgery.  Since the silicone is trapped by the lymph nodes in your armpit, then it requires removing this tissue.  Removing this tissue is not without consequences.... more

A: Silicone granuloma removal: How much is enough?

Lavinia Chong, MD

Sorry to hear about your predicament.  Silicone implants have been reengineered significantly, since their development in the mid-60's.  Generally, the manufacturers have made the gel "stickier" or cohesive.  The implication for the patient is that in the event that the external shell... more

A: Silicone in armpits

Steven Wallach, MD

This can happen when it is trapped by lymph nodes in  your axilla.  If it is really bothering you, you can have some of it removed, but probably not all of it. If your plastic surgeon does not feel comfortable doing it, then you can probably go to a breast surgeon( cancer surgeon) to see if he/she... more

A: Silicone adenopathy

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Generally after a rupture of silicone gel implant, one that is extracapsular as in your case, it is impossible to removal all the gel. Usually this does not cause complications and surgery to remove all of the gel can be more disfiguring and disabling than leaving the gel alone. If you can easily palpate the... more

A: Silicone nodules in the armpit and soft tissue

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Silicone nodules in the armpit and soft tissue of the chest can occur after migration and lymphatic progression of silicone particles. This is a reflection of the implant rupture and the viscosity of the silicone in your implant rather than the technique of your correcting reconstructive surgeon. It is very... more

A: You can't always get all of the silicone out

Richard P. Rand, MD

Sometimes it is not pssible to remove all of the extravasated gel, especially in cases like yours where the rupture was extracapsular and the gel escaped into the tissues.  Your lymph nodes keep trying to trap it and those that can be safely removed can be excised.   Some of the nodes, however, get... more

Post your question

Breast implants: 679 reviews

77% said it was worth it

Breast implants before & after photos

SPONSORED Post your question
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.