My yearly mammograms show one of my saline implants to be opague and the other one clear. Does this indicate bacteria in one of them? The opaque one is firmer and tighter than the other one. My saline implants are 18 years old, and I previously had silicone implants, one of which ruptured after 5 years. I am 60 years old, slender, and still active in sports. I am worried about illness if bacteria leaks from a rupture. Aesthetically, I still look great.
October 31, 2011
Answer: Breast Implants and Mammograms
Hello Mature Lady,
You don't have bacteria in your saline filled breast implant. You have capsular contracture around one though, causing the affected implant to feel firm and look opacified on mammogram due to calcium deposits in the abnormal scar tissue. This is not dangerous, but does require a surgery to correct.
Best of luck!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
October 31, 2011
Answer: Breast Implants and Mammograms
Hello Mature Lady,
You don't have bacteria in your saline filled breast implant. You have capsular contracture around one though, causing the affected implant to feel firm and look opacified on mammogram due to calcium deposits in the abnormal scar tissue. This is not dangerous, but does require a surgery to correct.
Best of luck!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
October 28, 2011
Answer: Saline breast implants and mammograms
About 20 years ago there was some concern about bacteria in saline implants but the use of what is called a "closed fill system" became standard so it would be extremely rare. Although yours are 18 years old, a mammogram would not show anything like that anyway. It is likely something else such as the scar capsule, and if it is firmer on that side then you should have a plastic surgeon check it out.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
October 28, 2011
Answer: Saline breast implants and mammograms
About 20 years ago there was some concern about bacteria in saline implants but the use of what is called a "closed fill system" became standard so it would be extremely rare. Although yours are 18 years old, a mammogram would not show anything like that anyway. It is likely something else such as the scar capsule, and if it is firmer on that side then you should have a plastic surgeon check it out.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful