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Symptoms of Breast Implant Rupture?

asked 3 years ago by lmoe in Lafayette, LA, USA
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 3,353 times
Tags: complication, rupture

I have an opening in my incision with a steady flow of clear fluid leaking out. Could this be a rupture in my implant? What symptoms or signs will help me figure out if my implant is ruptured?

13 answers to Symptoms of Breast Implant Rupture?

Open wound after breast implant

Thanks for your question - The situation you describe is concerning. Typically saline breast implant ruptures are very readily apparent. Deflation of the implant in question is usually rapid. Silicone implant ruptures can be more difficult to diagnose. The real concern from your description is a chronic infection of the implant. Infected implants can release fluid as your body tries to fight the infection. The fluid is part of the inflammatory process and likely not from within the... more

Steven H. Williams, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

See your surgeon

It sounds like you have a collection of fluid around the implant, and it is possibly infected-- this needs to be evaluated right away by your surgeon. Please call him as soon as possible to set up a follow up appointment.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Leaking breast implant

You have not specified whether this is a saline or silicone. In either event, it really doesn't matter and your should seek a plastic surgeon's advice. It is likely that you will need the implants to be replaced.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant rupture is unlikely

Dear Imoe, The condition you are describing sounds like a dehissence of your incision. The fluid leaking out is likely tissue fluid and not the implant leaking. If you have saline implants, a rupture would lead to rapid deflation of the implant within a couple of days If you have a silicone implant, a rupture would lead to leakage of silicone which is very sticky and thick. Almost like clear gum. Regardless of your particular circumstances, an opening of the incision warrants IMMEDIATE... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Get to your surgeon tomorrow

Imoe, Leak or no leak, you need to get to your surgeon ASAP. An exposed implant is an infected implant by definition. You will need revisionary surgery and possibly removal of the implants for awhile (3-6 months). So, get in and good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

You need to see your surgeon

It is not normal to have an opening in your incision nor to have fluid coming you. You need to call your surgeon have them evaluate you. If your implant is exposed, you may need surgery. If it is a saline implant and fluid is coming out of your incision, then there may be a leak. If so, your breast should be getting smaller as the implant is deflating. If you have a silicone implant and fluid is coming out then you may have an infection. If you have silicone coming out then you would... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

See your surgeon

This is a complicated question to answer without knowing more details and without examining you. You should definitely call your surgeon right away. This is most likely a seroma pocket, which is a pocket of fluid around your implant. If you have an opening and there is clear fluid leaking out, that would be my best guess. This is especially true if you do not have any signs of infection: fever, redness, pain. The implant is at high risk for infection. If this is a saline implant rupture,... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

Fluid from a breast

If you have fluid draining from your breast, you may have a chronic infection or a seroma. But you should see your surgeon ASAP to be evaluated.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You may have a chronic seroma after breast implants.

Hi. This does not sound like a leaking implant. You may have a chronic seroma (liquid accumulation ) after breast augmentation. You need a sonogram to help diagnose problem. See your doctor.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Go to your surgeon immmediately

Steady leaking from an incision usually means the wound has separated and there is serous fluid leaking out. You may have an infection. You are at high risk for loss of the implant and you should contact your surgeon ASAP. I doubt that the implant itself is leaking, as this fluid usually remains inside and is absorbed.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Rule out breast infection

I would recommend an expediate visit to your surgeon to rule out an infection. In general, if the drainage is limited to the skin, subcutaneous tissue local wound management will treat it.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

This is worrisome

I don't know when you had your surgery, or the extent of the opening. My #1 worry is that the implant is exposed to the outside world through the opening. If this is the case, it is by definition at serious risk for infection. I would call your surgeon now, and have him check this out. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Depends if you have a saline implant

If your implant is silicone, the clear fluid is not leaking gel. If iy is saline, it could be the saline i the implant but you would notice a deflation and decrease in breast size. There is normally a little bit of fluid around the implant in the pocket and you could have a communication into the pocket without a leak but simply a drainage of this lubricating, serous fluid.