I Have 23 Year Old Silicone Breast Implants. Should I Have Them Removed?

Question

I have 23 year old silicone breast implants. I've had chronic fatugue, nausea and jaw pain for 3 yrs.I've had no breast pain or change in appearance or size. Mammogram was clean, MRI showed no evidence of rupture or extravasation of silicone.Report stated "large area of enhancement in upper outer right breat posteriorly and small focal area of enhancement in posterior inferior left breast which require follow-up with sonogram".Do I need a sonogram and should I have the implants replaced?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	It sounds like there may be no &ldquo;physical&rdquo; reason for youth to happy breast implants removed. However, it also sounds like you may be thinking that her breast implants are somehow related to your &ldquo;chronic fatigue&hellip;&rdquo;. Sometimes patients have breast implants removed ( despite the lack of science connecting breast implants to other medical conditions) for  peace of mind reasons.

	Ultimately, it will be your decision to make.  Hopefully you will be able to make this decision with the help of well experienced plastic surgeons and radiologists to guide you.

	Best wishes.

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

As long as the implants are not ruptured and your doing well, you should be fine.  Also, make sure you're doing yearly mammograms as well.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

This is not an easy yes or no answer, However, my impression, from your discription sounds as if you are generally dissatisfied with the implants and would benefit form implant removal.

Walter D. Gracia, MD · Answer

The MRI did not find that the implants are ruptured but it did find some areas that are suspicious and a sonogram was recommended. It would be wise to find out what the suspicious areas are.

	The fatigued has been present for three years and the implants for twenty three years , there does not seem to be a cause and effect here.

	You need to have the findings discussed with you by a Surgeon who does breast surgery or a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

I Have 23 Year Old Silicone Breast Implants. Should I Have Them Removed?

Answers (9)

Answer: Implant removal in patient

Answer: Implant removal in patient

Answer: Problem; Implants or Breast Tissue.

Answer: Problem; Implants or Breast Tissue.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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I Have 23 Year Old Silicone Breast Implants. Should I Have Them Removed?

Answers (9)

Answer: Implant removal in patient

Answer: Implant removal in patient

Answer: Problem; Implants or Breast Tissue.

Answer: Problem; Implants or Breast Tissue.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.