I had silicone injections over 30 years ago. I hate my breast as they sag and now are heavy. Can you help me?

Thanks for your inquiry, if your cardiologist clears you, you can have surgery. Please seek the opinion of a board certified plastic surgeon.

 Thank you for your question. Although not common, there were situations where silicon was injected directly into the breast. This is very different from an implant in that it is essentially within the tissue, not behind the tissue. It is possible to remove the majority of it but removing all of it may be difficult. It sounds like you would also benefit from a Breast Lift, which could be done at the same time. A pacemaker by itself does not Exclude you or place you into a high-risk category, but most surgeons would want a letter of clearance from your treating cardiologist.  It may also be wise to have your surgery done at the hospital rather than an outpatient surgical center. Best wishes.

Dear auntiemame1,
Silicone injections can be problematic but it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Without photographs or an in-person examination it is difficult to offer definite advice as silicone injections are troublesome to correct and may increase your risk of infection and other issues.  I would recommend posting images or seeking out a series of consultations to get the best advice. 

It is possible to get breast implants with a pacemaker in place as the pacemakers are typically placed high on the chest wall and would not interfere with the placement of an implant. I am more concerned about the silicone injections over 30 years ago. The only way to reverse any damage incurred is with a surgical procedure, which may not eliminate all the silicone or correct the visible effects.

Hi and welcome to our forum!Injectable silicone used for breast augmentation is not a homogeneous mass and may be spread throughout the breast tissue. It may be impossible to remove it all. However, improvement can often be obtained with removal of as much material as possible, along with a breast reduction / lift. With free silicone in the soft tissue, there is an increased theoretical risk of infection.Your general state of health is more important than your numerical age. You should visit your cardiologist and undergo complete evaluation to ensure you are in optimal health. You should also undergo complete evaluation and discussion with a board certified plastic surgeon. Together, they can determine your candidacy for surgery.Best wishes...

If your cardiologist gives you medical clearance for elective surgery, then you should be able to have this done. I would suggest first discussing this procedure with your cardiologist, and then meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

You should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out your best options. If you has silicone injections instead of an implant, this is a different operation than exchanging breast implants. Your health and safety is the most important factor and your plastic surgeon will want you to have a thorough medical clearance prior to any elective surgery. I wish you the best. Dr. Edwards

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry.

It is important to have an in-person medical assessment regarding this issue as it is difficult to determine virtually. Continue to update your doctor in the matter and follow their post-op protocol.

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery. We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!

M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind