Why does one implant look clear? (Photo)

Hello @suzieq096, thank you for your question. It may be due to a difference in the integrity of the implants. For example, if one implant has ruptured or leaked, it could change the appearance of the implant fluid, making it look "icky." Saline implants, when ruptured, tend to deflate quickly as the body absorbs the saline. Silicone implants, on the other hand, may not show signs of rupture immediately, as silicone tends to stay within the capsule (scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant). Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Have you talked with your surgeon to see if any samples were sent to microbiology or pathology? This would be to rule out infection, silica, cancer, BIA-ALCL that can be linked to breast implants? If you have those results, this could explain the discoloration.

The older silicone breast implants can change color over time. The silicone inside the shell degrades and ages. All silicone implants degrade differently which is why 1 implant looks different than the other. There are no adverse affects on ones body in either case.

Were you having problems with one or both sides. On bilateral explant the side patients have more complaints is more likely to have an abnormality in the implant. It also looks like you had saline implants. Saline implants have been known to get larger from movement of water into the implants over years. This may have have happened on the right side leading to the discoloration. Interestingly your surgeon wrote no manufacturer lot or serial number. Did you have the implants placed in the United States?

The "icky" implant looks that way because it has some calcifications around and within it. This is evidenced by the white small balls seen around the implant in the photo. The capsule on that side is also firmer appearing. This can happen if you had capsular contracture on that side or even just benign calcification around the implant. Good luck!

One appears to have fluid present inside, which could happen if it were ruptured. The pathology report might give more answers. Implants often turn yellow from body heat.

Hi, and Happy Tuesday, and thank you for your question and photos. It looks like the implants were saline and now are deflated (for one reason or another). The RIGHT side (volume and implant manufacturer unknown) appears more "cloudy" as it was likely ruptured for awhile while inside the breast implant pocket, and likely had some bacterial contamination resulting in biofilm or even purulent fluid (pus) formation resulting in a thicker capsule or right sided contracture within it whereas the left does/did not. The left ruptured implant appears clear, as that is what the implant (when saline is removed) should look like. Hope this helps.

Benjamin J. Cousins MD
Triple Board Certified Plastic Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Miami and Miami Beach, FL