Is there a place on a saline implant that can withstand a hypodermic needle poke to drain some out? (Photo)

Question

Due to poverty reasons since my breast implants in 1998, I want to fix the problem myself of an overfilled left implant that has never matched the perfectly filled right one. I want to suction out some fluid from the larger breast with a hypodermic needle until it matches the other breast in size. Can it withstand the poke and not rupture or fully leak out to flatness, basically, do they seal up again aftee a needle poke? I'm serious.

Eric Schaffer, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately saline implants will deflate if poked with a needle.  The saline will eventually leak out which may happen very quickly or take several days.  This would not be a solution for your current situation.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. No, there is no place on a saline breast implant that can be "poked" to allow for controlled drainage. In other words, puncturing a breast implant will lead to unpredictable partial or complete deflation. Best wishes.

David A. Lickstein, MD · Answer

If the shell is disrupted, the implant will leak until it is almost empty.  Depending on the location of the puncture, it may happen over a few days, or take some time.  This is not recommended.

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The answer to your question is definitively no. A small needle whole will likely leak either very quickly or over a few days and completely empty the saline implant. It is possible although not recommended to operate to expose the valve and then connect the filling port through the valve and remove some fluid. It's been my experience with doing this that sometimes the valve will lose its integrity and necessitate placing a new implant. Best of luck.

Is there a place on a saline implant that can withstand a hypodermic needle poke to drain some out? (Photo)

Answers (4)