For Saline implants - its simple - just look in a mirror and see if you are flat on one side. For silicone implants prior to 2006, ruptures occur at rates of approximately 1-2% per year for the first ten years then markedly increases after that time period. A rupture or deflation of the implant may be experienced at any point after the initial augmentation; this complication may be increased by an under-filling or overfilling of saline solution into the implant, excessive compression, trauma, and other causes. (If the implant shell if not filled with the correct amount of saline, there may be a crease or fold in the shell which often leads to a rupture). You will be able to self-diagnose the need for an implant exchange (if using a saline implant) because if the current implant ruptures, the breast will shrink to approximately its preoperative size. To detect a silicone implant rupture, it is usually noted on a routine mammogram or MRI scan. In either case although the situation needs to be corrected on a timely basis, it is not dangerous to your health from our current knowledge base. Silicone implants after 2006 are more cohesive and less likely to leak.
In the majority of patientsundergoing breast augmentation, implants last a lifetime.Occasionally, implants deflate and need to bereplaced.Current data suggests thatimplants deflate at a rate of 1% at one year and 3% at three years.Over time, this number can be expected togrow.Implants may deflate with noapparent cause or may deflate secondary to trauma.When saline implants deflate, thediagnosis is relatively easy to make.These implants lose volume and flatten quickly.Silicone implants present a much moredifficult problem when they deflate.Rupture of silicone implants may not be apparent for years.Signs of deflation include soreness, redness,loss of volume, change in shape and sometimes, capsular contracture.These signs may be subtle and a history oftrauma may be the only early indicator.Because of the difficulty of makingthis diagnosis with physical examination, ultrasound and MRI studies mayoccasionally be necessary.Even withthese aids, the diagnosis can be uncertain and, in some cases, surgery may benecessary to resolve this issue.Consultation with a plastic surgeon will be necessary to resolve thisissue, in most cases.
Saline implant ruptures can be detected relatively quickly as the saline generally flows quickly out of the shell. You'll probably notice deflation within a day or so. Cohesive silicone gel implants take longer to notice if they have ruptured as they stay relatively intact for a longer period of time. You may feel firmness or notice the affected breast look misshapen. For better confirmation of rupture you will need to get an MRI performed.
