How urgent is it to get a collapsed saline implant removed?

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

The deflated implant should eventually be removed, but there is no urgency.  The risks of leaving it are small but I would do the removal within a year.

Generally the risk of a deflated saline implant would be negligible. That said, the pocket will shrink making the replacement slightly more involved if you wait.  Removal can be done under local anaesthetic and will only take a few minutes.  If they see that a capsulectomy is required that would have to be done another time under general.  It may not be needed.Dr Rodger ShorttOakville Plastic SurgeonDirector of Cosmetic Surgery Training &Assistant Clinical Professor,McMaster University

Thank you for your question.A saline implant that is deflated is not an emergency.  The body forms a capsule around the implants after they are in place, so it is contained in that pocket.  There are patients that go years with a ruptured implant and do not know.  If it were a silicone implant, it would need to come out sooner.  The only concern is that you may start experiencing discomfort on the side of the deflated implant.

It is not a medical emergency to have the deflated implant shell removed. There is no specific recommended time to explant, but rather have the shell removed as soon as it is conveniently possible. The risks of having the shell present are minimal.

It is not an emergency to have a deflated saline implant replaced but after a few weeks, it may require a bit more work to replace it properly as the capsule may have gotten smaller. 

I am sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. Although it is true that removal of a deflated breast implant is not an “emergency”, it is best to have it removed/replaced within a few weeks. Otherwise, the surrounding tissue can contract down making the revisionary breast surgery more challenging/more complication prone. Also, as you mentioned, empty breast implants can be irritating/painful to patients as the shells irritate the under surface of the breast skin. Best wishes. 

Hi,

Thanks for posting your question. I am happy to try and help you. It is
important to remember that a board certified plastic surgeon will be your best resource
when it comes to an accurate assessment of your situation, and concerns.

Having said that, I recommend draining the saline filled implants in the office
and leaving the breast implants in after deflation all the time. This is
reasonable to allow for evaluation of the skin, breast shape and life impact of
having the breast implants removed. So it is quite safe for you to take some time and collect the necessary money to the breast implant removal costs.
This can be done in the office and at a
reasonable expense. If they shape is something that requires adjustments then
the degree of adjustment and results can be discussed before surgery.

Below is a link to learn more about implant removal.

Best wishes,

Dr. Michael J. Brown
Northern Virginia Plastic Surgeon

Breast implants are a medical device and therefore weather they are saline or silicone they may wear out.  Twenty years is a long time to have implants and you are lucky to have had no issues with them for many years.  Saline is salt water solution so it is not harmful to the body.  Therefore, according to the manufacturer there is no urgency to replacing other than if you have any physical issues with the deflation.  Also it is more work for you cosmetically to have the difference in size on a day to day basis.  After you have the funds please seek a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss breast implant exchange surgery or removal.  It is less expensive to have the removal due to not purchasing implants but ultimately the decision is yours.

A deflated implant without other problems is certainly not an emergency.It could be replaced later but might need some capsule adjustments.