I have had silicone breast implants for 24 years and have always loved them and have never had a problem with them. Now, 24 years later, the left breast it becoming firm and sore. Due to the age of the implants, is it safe to assume it may be due to a rupture? I plan on having both replaced and I'm wondering about my odds of developing this again in the near future. Since I had no issues with my current implants until now, I'm thinking the odds are in my favor for good results with the replacements.
February 14, 2020
Answer: Capsular contracture silicone implants Statistically speaking, if you have 24 year-old silicone implants you have a >90% chance of having a leak in one or both of them. Sometimes this can lead to a sudden appearance of a capsular contracture. You need to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. If you have the records from your original surgery that tells the size and type of implant that you have, this would be very helpful. If the implants are leaking, there could be a warranty that would pay for the cost of the new implants. However, no warranty will cover any of the other costs of surgery 24 years later. Some insurance plans will also pay to have them removed if they are ruptured silicone implants, but no insurance will pay to have them replaced.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 14, 2020
Answer: Capsular contracture silicone implants Statistically speaking, if you have 24 year-old silicone implants you have a >90% chance of having a leak in one or both of them. Sometimes this can lead to a sudden appearance of a capsular contracture. You need to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. If you have the records from your original surgery that tells the size and type of implant that you have, this would be very helpful. If the implants are leaking, there could be a warranty that would pay for the cost of the new implants. However, no warranty will cover any of the other costs of surgery 24 years later. Some insurance plans will also pay to have them removed if they are ruptured silicone implants, but no insurance will pay to have them replaced.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 14, 2020
Answer: Capsular contracture Capsular contracture has about a 1% per year incidence. It is impossible to determine why you have noticed this after 24 years. Usually, capsular contracture goes through stages or a process of progressive worsening, so there may have been some mild capsular contracture going on for a while without you necessarily noticing it too much. There is much that is still unknown about the etiology of capsular contracture. There is some relationship to bacteria and inflammation, but exactly why any particular patient develops a contracture is practically impossible to determine. Your plastic surgeon will have several treatment options available to you depending upon your exam.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
February 14, 2020
Answer: Capsular contracture Capsular contracture has about a 1% per year incidence. It is impossible to determine why you have noticed this after 24 years. Usually, capsular contracture goes through stages or a process of progressive worsening, so there may have been some mild capsular contracture going on for a while without you necessarily noticing it too much. There is much that is still unknown about the etiology of capsular contracture. There is some relationship to bacteria and inflammation, but exactly why any particular patient develops a contracture is practically impossible to determine. Your plastic surgeon will have several treatment options available to you depending upon your exam.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
