Is There Any Way to Know if Your Implants Are Infected Before Actually Removing Them?

Hi there, I have had health issues since getting saline implants 15 years ago. I know that it is rare, but they can have faulty valves that allow bacteria in in some cases. Most of my health issues seem to mimic mold toxicity and I have already ruled out my environment with thorough testing. Not looking for opinions about my issues..What I'd like to know is if there is a way to test the implants for toxicity/bacteria before undergoing surgery?

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by RN in Colorado in Colorado Springs, CO

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Community Comments (1)

Is There Any Way to Know if Your Implants Are Infected Before Actually Removing Them?

Obvious Breast implant infections are - Obvious. Redness, tenderness, warmth and occasional discharge from a new opening in the breast. Less subtle are subclinical infections. These may be caused by bacteria reaching the implant from elsewhere in the body and forming a "biofilm", a jelly-like layer of dormant and actively dividing bacteria which are poorly responsive to antibiotics. There is NO way to accurately diagnose this condition by either a single blood or XRay... more

Implant issues

Infections of breast implants are usually pretty obvious. Patients usually will have pain, fever, and redness. Some more obscure infections may not be as obvious. White blood cell counts can be measured and blood cultures can be obtained, but other than culturing the pocket internally, it is hard to decipher something like fungal or mycobacteria.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Comments (1)

MrsED 3 Nov 2012

I, too, have symptoms that seem to indicate possible toxicity. Extreme fatigue, dry eyes, sensitivity to sunlight, sinus type problems (mucus in throat), body aches. I have been tested for everything over the last 3-4 years and all tests come back OK. So, I am thinking of having implants removed. Wish there was a way to determine before explantation but I don't think so.

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