How does the chest X-ray look like after breast implants removal?

Question

As titled, after the removal, will it be obvious that one had implants before? What will the X-ray diagram look like? Thank you very much.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

If you have calcium present it means the capsule wasn't removed. If the capsule wasn't removed the operation was performed incorrectly.  It isn't really possible to predict what your X-Ray will look like.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

There may be changes on Xray - depends on whether you had any calcifications / capsules and also whether there is any indenting of the ribs from the pressure of the implants on the ribs.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Sometimes there are still changes on Xrays from the implants. The implants, especially large ones, may have indented the bones. Old implants may have some calcium present . Most surgeons try to remove all the old calcification when removing the implants. Also, your stretched tissues and skin will still be seen.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

The larger the breast implants, the smaller the woman and the longer the implants were on the chest may result in permanent skin and rib changes which MAY be seen on a chest X ray. Any calcifications in the scar around the implants which is left behind may be seen on such as film. Same with any indentations in the ribs.But to the trained eye of a Radiologist such changes are rarely confusing and suggestive of other diseases.

Pedro Vieira, MD · Answer

Simply stated it is very unlikely a prior history of breast implants will affect the diagnostic quality of your chest X-ray.  However, it is possible the remaining breast implant pocket capsule harbors some calcifications, which would be visible on X-ray.  The body forms a capsule around any implanted non biologic material, including breast implants.  Most surgeons do not excise the capsule when removing breast implants unless there is an obvious problem.  And most times it is rare that breast capsules develop calcifications because modern implants are much better quality.  At the surgery to remove your implants, if your surgeon found no problems with implant (e.g. leak) and no signs of significant capsule abnormality, it is very unlikely an X-ray will show evidence of prior breast implants.

Zachary Filip, MD · Answer

Hello kado2,It depends on how many years the implants were in place and how large they were, but yes, you may be able to see evidence of prior implants on a chest x-ray.  Over time the pressure of the implants create a small depression in the ribs.  It is very apparent when removing implants during surgery.  It wouldn't be "obvious" on a routine x-ray but it could be noticeable to any good radiologist.Zachary Filip, MD

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