I Have Had Breast Implants for 15 Years; Experiencing a "Sloshing" When I RuN?

Question

I am extremely active....a personal trainer and all natural bodybuilder. I have, for the last several years experienced, "sloshing" when I run. It is not only bothersome, but has become almost painful. In addition to 2 bras, I am finding that I have to hold my breast so it wont "move". I have since moved from my hometown where I had the breast augmentation and I have been unsuccessful in reaching the original surgeon. Can anyone offer any advice? I hate to undergo another surgery. Thanks!

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

This is a not uncommon complaint with Saline Implants immediately after surgery and then again later, years down the road.  At first after surgery, there is air and fluid around the implant.  Patients will say they "hear" and "feel" the implant moving.  Down the road, one of two things can happen.  The breast, capsule and thus the space surrounding the implant can stretch and the implant then moves too much in the pocket.  The second cause is a partial deflation of the implant, usually a slow leak of the valve.  A revision breast surgery can fix this.  Usually, it involves implant replacement with a slightly larger Silicone Gel Implant and sometimes a capsulorrhaphy.  Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing. Despite best intentions, online consultants will not be able to provide you with a precise enough diagnosis and/or treatment recommendations. My best advice therefore would be to seek consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. For example, you may be experiencing an issue with breast implant displacement ( movement);  sometimes breast implant displacement can cause discomfort.  This movement can also (potentially) explain the sounds you are hearing.

	 Good medical advice would require an accurate diagnosis which can only be made after careful history and physical examination.

	 Best wishes.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If the breasts remain the same size, the possibility of leak is small.  The air within the implant could be the issue and could be producing this.  Sometimes air and fluid around the implant can cause noise as well.  A surgery may be the only thing to fix the sloshing, but an exam would be needed to verify this.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The sloshing you may be feeling is the saline implant. Silicone implants do not  slosh around.  You may want to switch.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

If your implant has been in for 15 years you probably have a saline implant as silicone gel was not available. Sloshing might indicate a slow leak and volume loss, not unexpected after 15 years, and it might be time for a replacement.

I Have Had Breast Implants for 15 Years; Experiencing a "Sloshing" When I RuN?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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I Have Had Breast Implants for 15 Years; Experiencing a "Sloshing" When I RuN?

Answers (9)

Answer: Sloshing with implants

Answer: Sloshing with implants

Answer: Sloshing 15 years after implants

Answer: Sloshing 15 years after implants

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.