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Sounds like a problem with your 30 year old implants may be a capsular contracture. This represents scar tissue around the implant that makes implant firm that can sometimes, change its position and possibly produces pain. This can be treated by removal of the implant removal of the internal scar/capsule and either leaving that as the final operation or replacing the implant.
The firmness of your implant represents a capsular contracture which is more likely to occur with a ruptured implant given the age of your device.Although this represents no health risk to you, removal of the implant and surrounding capsule would be necessary to resolve this. Replacing the contralateral implant at the same time may also be reasonable due to the age of the implants.
You most likely have a capsular contracture and it is most likely a result of an implant rupture. Although, you should not have to worry about a medical or health issue from this, it is suggested that you have the implant removed. It may be possible to remove the implants and place new ones in a new pocket. Sometimes, if there is a significant spillage of implant material or if a complete capsulectomy is required, it may be wise to remove the implants and replace them at a later time after everything has healed.
You have old silicone implants that are hardening - know as capsular contracture. This is the scar capsule around the implant that can harden over time. These old implants are most likely ruptured - for some time- but contained within the thick scar capsule - and not outside it, which is extra capsular rupture and this can be palpable and very visible on mammograms. This can be corrected with excellent results yielding soft breasts and implants with a natural shape. The capsules and implants are removed and replaced with new silicone breast implants preferably in a new pocket or location, submuscularly is my preference. You should be able to obtain breasts like you once had. With new shaped high-strength silicone implants results are natural and have given my patients a new found satisfaction with their breasts. Implants that are form stable and anatomically shaped also greatly diminishes the risks and concern of rupture to almost nothing in my opinion.
30 years is a long time to have had your implants, which is great if you have not be having any problems with them until now. Because they are 30 years old and your right breast is hard, your implant is most likely ruptured which may have caused a capsular contracture. You can have an MRI but at this point, it would be best to remove and replace your implants with new silicone gel and also have a capsulectomy to remove that scar tissue. You want to remove them as soon as you can because it can get worse and more uncomfortable. Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon as well. ac
I’m glad you are asking this question. Please don’t put off meeting with a boardcertified plastic surgeon who has experience in breast revision surgery,specifically with this older type of “liquid” silicone implant. The surgeon will probably recommend breasttesting that can let them know what the integrity of the implants are likeinside. They will then be able to answeryour questions more specifically. I’veperformed hundreds of surgeries with women who have the older “liquid” siliconeimplants and the surgery can become more extensive the longer the patientwaits. The hardening you areexperiencing could be the scar tissue in your breast (capsular contracture)and/or the silicone inside the implant that may now be in your breasttissue. Either way, don’t put this offany longer. I’ve had patients tell meafter surgery that they wished they would’ve done the surgery years before whenthey noticed a problem. Make aconsultation appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area todiscuss your options.
You may have a "Capsule Contracture" on your right breast.You need to remove both implants and the capsule in the contracture breast, and change them for 2 new breast implants.There is a high possibility that you have a broken implant and the only way to know it is by getting and MRI of your breast.
Most likely you have a capsular contracture of your right breast. When an implant is placed the body will form a capsule surrounding the implant. The formation of this capsule isn't natural and expected result of the implantation. Normally it remains soft and pliable. When a silicone implant leaks however it can cause the capsule to become hard and contracting in size
The breast implants used for augmentation 30 years ago were made from a 1st generation silicone gel that has a very liquid consistency. After being in your body for 30 years, the silicone shell that holds the implant together has a high chance of being worn down or ruptured. Many times, the implant capsule or scar tissue layer around the implant can contain a ruptured silicone implant, but the rupture and free silicone can lead to capsular contracture - or tightening and hardening of that scar tissue layer. This makes the breast feel hard and sometimes painful. Capsular contracture around a ruptured silicone implant is not dangerous, but you may want to treat it. Sometimes the silicone can leak out of the capsule and migrate into your breast tissue, which is not dangerous to your health (won't cause cancer or any diseases), but it will make an operation to remove the silicone more damaging to your breast. If the silicone is contained within the capsule, then it can be more easily removed. There is a possibility that your implant is not ruptured and that you just have capsular contracture, but I would be suspicious of rupture. The way this is treated is with a total capsulectomy - removal of the implant along with the capsule. It is your choice to replace the implant with a new one, leave the implants out and do a lift, or fat graft instead. If you are going to replace the implant with a new one, I would recommend doing both sides - since the other one is likely to cause you problems soon.
You most definitely have capsular contracture of your breasts. This will happen due to a variety of reasons, but in your case, it is most likely because the implants have ruptured. Implants from 30 years ago were constructed differently from the newer generation silicone implants. Current silicone implants are moderately or highly cohesive, so they won't migrate after rupture. Older implants are more water like and may get into your axillary lymph nodes. Your capsular contracture could be due to genetics or other factors as well. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon and have your breast evaluated. Your implants will need to be changed out, and your capsule will need to be removed. Without the firm capsule, which has been holding up your breasts and implants, you may need additional support for your implant replacements. If necessary, this will be discussed at the time of your consultation. Essentially, the short answer to your question is that it is correctable, it is not life threatening, but you should have it evaluated and changed out so that it doesn't cause any health problems down the road since older implants are of poorer quality compared to current implants.
