Vibrating "Bourdonnement" 3 Years After Breast Augmentation Surgery

Your implant sliding against the stretched moist tissues causes a friction rub (sound) that can be felt as well as occasionally heard. This is termed "bourdonnement" and was definitively described in the plastic surgery literature: "Bourdonnement and other benign temporary breast implant sounds", Annals of Plastic Surgery, Vol 43 p589, 1999.

When this occurs this long after surgery, the sound is not related to the incompletely-healed and still-inflamed tissues. It may well indicate some new source of inflammation, possibly related to a moderate trauma to the breast tissues, perhaps secondary to bacterial contamination such as from dental work (controversial, but still a real occurrence). The inflammation that causes this sound has nothing to do with "bottoming-out" but could indeed be due to a severely overzealous breast manipulation!

You are either very good at research or have some medical background, since a friction rub heard on chest auscultation with a stethescope can be associated with a pulmonary embolus from DVT. Bourdonnement alone without any other symptoms (leg pain, swelling, shortness of breath) is NOT worrisome.  

Ibuprofen or Celebrex (prescription) anti-inflammatory medications are a good starting point. If you begin to notice firmness or soreness in the "noisy" breast, this could be an early sign of capsular contracture. See your surgeon for evaluation and consideration of a course of Accolate or Singulair and Vitamin E. Best wishes!

I have never heard of this before. However, it sounds sufficiently serious that I would not ignore the symptoms. It could be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder such as the transmitted pulse of atrial fibrillation or premature ventricular contractions. This may require cardiac evaluation. Discuss your findings with your plastic surgeon, internist, gynecologist and cardiologist.

You must be a music aficionado - this is an unfamiliar term in the realm of breast surgery- but your description is interesting. I have read that sub-muscular implants can move across prominent ribs and create noises from within the breast - but I've never met a patient that reports this. If you breasts looks and feel terrific, there is probably not an issue.

Not sure why you picked a French word to describe it but vibrations/buzzing may be felt with inner ear problems but I have NEVER encountered this in my training nor in my many years in Plastic Surgery. Moreover, not sure why you bring up the topic of an embolism as it is unheard of to have DVT / embolism appear 3 years after surgery much less heralded by sensory vibrations.

I would have to say that I don't know what you mean when you say "bourdonnement-vibrating/buzzing/humming". I cannot think of any reason whay a humming sound could be made, especially if there is no movement going on in the breast itself. It's great that you are so happy with how they look but I would recommend a follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon to allay your anxiety.
I hope this helps.
Dr Edwards

Breast Augmentation is one of the most commonly performed procedures and generally, patients are very satisfied. In Canada, we have been in a position to offer primary breast augmentation with cohesive gel implants for many years. 

Although Breast Augmentation patients are generally very satisfied, it also a procedure where long term complication and side effects can arise. Fluid collections within a pseudo capsule, hardening, rotation, pain and discomfort amongst others are all known to occur

Long term breast implant symptoms, no matter how unusual they may seem certainly warrant a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and likely some imaging and investigations to rule out any pathology or issues.

Before embarking upon any course of action a consultation with a certified aesthetic plastic surgeon is a necessity

After 25 years of breast surgery I thought I'd heard it all...but I have never heard of this term. What does it mean?
With regards to your concerns, it isn't normal to have the sensation of fluid around an implant years after surgery. A delayed seroma can occur and should be evaluated by a plastic surgeon.