Risks with Waiting to Replace a Ruptured Implant?

What are the risks or complications associated with waiting? How long can I wait? I have a completely ruptured saline implant.

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by Myrtle1975 in Anaheim hills

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Replace Ruptured Saline Implant Timely

Replace Ruptured Saline Implants Promptly. I would recommend that you replace the ruptured saline implant within the near future. Although there is little risk to wait it becomes a bigger procedure and potentially cost more. By waiting the pocket shrinks down and then has to be reopened. On the other hand if you replace them on a timely basis all your surgeon has to do is to simply replace it.

Risks with Waiting to Replace a Ruptured Implant?

Risks with Waiting to Replace a Ruptured Implant? The primary risks are contraction of the pocket and need for expansion at a later date. .

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

33 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured saline implant

Hi there- There is no reason to worry about the safety of waiting to manage a saline implant. There would be no adverse health consequences of waiting even years to do anything about it... On the other hand, the longer the time period between the rupture and implant replacement, the more the soft tissues in the area will contract (shrink), making it a bit more of a challenge to make the breast look just like the other breast (which did not experience a deflation). more

Saline ruptured implants

Ruptured saline implants should be removed and replaced. As to the timing, it really is up to you. However, the sooner you do it, the easier it will be to make it look like the previous one performed unless you were not happy with them to begin with. The pocket will close down and a capsulotomy or capsulectomy will need to be performed.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Deflated saline breast implants

I would agree with most of the responses that there are no risks associated with a failed saline breast implant regardless of how long it is in. As far as the body is concerned there is no difference. I feel the term "failed" or "deflated" implant is more appropriate than "ruptured" and such deflations can be total or partial but I have found that it is unpredictable whether and how much the capsule will contract down around the now smaller implant.... more

Risks with waiting to replace a ruptured implant

I would wait only a month at most because the shell of the implant is very stiff and can cause erosion through the skin causing a worse issue. From MIAMI Dr. B

There is NO Rush to replace a deflated Saline Breast Implant

A deflated saline breast Implant is NOT a surgical emergency. As the saline leaks out it will be absorbed by your body. In turn the breast pocket around the implant will gradually get smaller and the breast will flatten. In fact, the body will not react differently with a breast implant - full or empty and if you wanted you could leave it there without replacing it. The ONLY advantage of replacing a leaking breast implant promptly is that the pocket around the implant is still... more

Risk from ruptured saline breast implant

The only risk is that the scar around the implant (the capsule) may contract and shrink making replacement a little harder. You could, in fact, live the rest of your life with the ruptured implant with no problem other than the difference in the size of your breasts. This difference could cause some discomfort in the shoulder and neck due to the difference in weight of the breasts. This latter problem is, in fact, the main reason a number of women have delayed breast reconstruction after... more

Timing of Replacing Ruptured Implant

There is no increase in risks when waiting to replace a ruptured saline implant. However, it is much easier and accompanied by less pain if performed shortly after the rupture, since the pocket is present in its original size. If a long period transpires, it is possible that the pocket will contract and require more dissection to re-create it.

Advice on waiting for deflated saline implant replacement

There is no harm to your body in waiting to replace a deflated saline implant, but there are some practical considerations. When the implant deflates, the pocket (capsule) around the implant begins to collapse, so the longer you wait the more surgery will be required to re-expand the pocket. Also, although the implants have a lifetime replacement policy from U.S. manufacturers, there is a financial benefit to cover the costs of the surgery which has a time limit so be sure to look into... more