Will my Implant Rupture from Pressure of Laying on and Reaching Down off Side of Bed?

Question

I am about 2 weeks post-op under the muscle saline 350 cc. I was laying on my chest and put even more force on one breast leaned over on an angle as I reached down to grab something off the side of my bed on the floor. There was a lit of pressure on the right breast. Will this cause the implant to rupture?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Altitude and pressure have no effect on breast implants, whether saline or silicone.  It is safe to travel by air within pressurized cabins or even scuba dive without concern.  No further precautions should be taken during these activities. Certainly, discuss any concerns with your surgeon prior. In the same manner, blunt force will unlikely cause rupture.  Repeated trauma from the folding of the implant over time is known to be associated with rupture. Obviously, penetrating trauma from sharp objects will also result in rupture. Both saline and silicone implants are very durable and daily activities will not cause any increased risk to the integrity of the implant. Hope that thus helps. Best wishes!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Although it is true that a severe blow to your breast implant could cause a rupture, it is highly unlikely that laying on it would cause any problems. In fact many plastic surgeons in the past have their patients do that as a way of keeping them soft. 
	Any severe trauma like falling directly on your implant with your full weight is capable of rupturing you implant. On the other hand the implants are quite sturdy and in most cases would probably withstand this force.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

laying on implants will not cause them to rupture unless they are old and or severly encapsulated

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It is highly unlikely for breast implants to rupture with slight pressure as you describe. A great amount of force is required to cause an implant to burst. It is also possible for the implant to be defective and that alone could be the reason for deflation. Best wishes, Dr. H

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Breast implants have a very durable silicone shell that can withstand a lot of pressure.   It is extremely unlikely that you implant would have ruptured unless it was defective which your doctor would have noticed during the surgery.

	Sincerely,

	Martin Jugenburg, MD

Will my Implant Rupture from Pressure of Laying on and Reaching Down off Side of Bed?

Answers (8)