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I Have a Soft Lump on my Breast That Feels Like a Water Balloon. Is This my Impant?

asked 6 months ago by lilly k
Latest answer by David Bogue, MD
Question viewed 369 times
Tags: saline implants, 2 years post-op, enlarged, lumps

I had saline breast implants placed on top of the muscle about two years ago. I have had no problems until recently. About 5 months ago I felt a small lump on my left breast,the outer part. It felt like a water balloon. I assumed it was my implant. Now the lump still feels the same, but it seems bigger and you can see it protruding. It is not painful at all. Am i feeling my implant?

13 answers to I Have a Soft Lump on my Breast That Feels Like a Water Balloon. Is This my Impant?

Breast Implant Feel

You cannot tell from" your" physical exam. Your Plastic Surgeon needs to examine these areas for any other issues. The Plastic Surgeon will let you know what needs to be done. Most of these are palpable implants, but a competant Plastic Surgeon will let you know. Hope this helps Dr J

Thomas T. Jeneby, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.beautybyjeneby.com

Lump in the breast.

First and foremost, you need to have this lump evaluated by your plastic surgeon and possibly a breast surgeon. Although the odds may favor the implant, it is important to rule out any possibility of a true breast tumor. No one on this site will be able to tell you if you are feeling your implant.

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Implant appearance and feel after surgery

There are several considerations: this may be the implant the skin may be thinning consider moving the implant subpectoral consider switching to gel see you doctor

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant feeling like a lump

Most likely the "lump" you feel is your breast implant. Frequently I see patients that can feel a fold or lump especially out to the side with implants, and more with saline than silicone. This is much more common when the implants are on top of the muscle than under the muscle. It is much more common when the patient starts to get a capsular contracture also, as it folds the implant making it feel like a knuckle. You should go see your plastic surgeon right... more

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.danmillsmd.com

Lump in breast

More than likley the lump of water you are felling is your saline implant, but without a formal exam I could not say for sure. Go see your surgeon ot be evaluated.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I feel a lump on my breast-2 yrs post op breast augmentation

Hi, Please have this 'lump' evaluated immediately. Your doctor will be able to determine whether its your implant or something that needs further investigating. Best wishes, Dr. H

Gary M. Horndeski, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Saline Implants, especially over the muscle, can cause "Water Balloon" Feel

Hi there- There is no way to know foe sure without examining you, and so I recommend that you visit your plastic surgeon asap for an exam. Generally speaking, however, it sounds like you are indeed feeling your breast implant. Saline implants placed over the muscle are very prone to visible wrinkling and the ability to feel the implant.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

I Have a Soft Lump on my Breast That Feels Like a Water Balloon. Is This my Impant?

This is not the norm. Seek immediate in person evaluation to be safe. You might be close to implant rupture.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

IMPLANT PALPABILITY

Saline implants are more likely to become visible and palpable when placed on top of the muscle. A lot depends on how much breast tissue you have to cover the implant. This is one of the reason saline implants are more commonly placed under the muscle. I would advise you to have an appointment with your surgeon to be sure of what you are feeling.

Todd B. Koch, MD
Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

Saline implants above the muscle

In my opinion, implants, especially salines, are best under the muscle. With salines above the muscle, palpable wrinkles, ridges etc can be present especially if you lose weight or breast tissue making the coverage thinner over the implants. Please visit a plastic surgeon for an exam and for options to treat this including switching to under the muscle and maybe gel too.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Saline Implant Palpable?

Thank you for the question. Based on your description of the presence of a saline implant on top of the muscle, it is likely that you are feeling the breast implant. Nevertheless, it would behoove you to be examined by your plastic surgeon in person. Palpability and rippling of breast implants may be related to several factors. These include the amount of soft tissue and breast tissue coverage over the breast implants, the position of the breast implants... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Feeling your implant

What you are describing is pretty common for saline implants Over time the pressure of your implants thin your breast tissue to the point where the implant is more easily felt and even seen (ripples). You can improve things by switching to silicone gel implants which look and feel far more natural. Hope this helps!