What are my options ? How can I pay for one breast implant removal?

Question

Sunday morning my wife awaken to her right implant deflated. They are saline filled. They are 10 years old. She in on SSI and our financial status at this time is critical..getting a loan is not feasible.... what can I do and where can I go ? I live near Jefferson City Missouri..

Glynn Bolitho, PhD, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Depending on the manufacturer, you may be eligible or financial assistance towards removal of the deflated implant and might even get a replacement implant. My advise would be to return to the surgeon who performed her procedure 10 years ago as he/she would have your records and could follow up with the manufacturer to see if you have any sort of warranty.  Good luck!

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I'm very sorry about the deflation.  Breast implants are mechanical devices and, as such, there is a certain incidence of failure, including this.  But that is of little comfort to the woman who's experienced it, and who wants to keep her implants.The best thing is for you to see a board-certified plastic surgeon near you.  If you cannot afford that, then consider going to a medical center that may have a teaching program.  They often offer less expensive treatments.It is not, fortunately, an emergency so however upsetting it is, you should not rush the decision including having surgery.  There are many options - from removing them both, to deflating the intact one for symmetry (a temporary solution) to replacing them.  And you should wait until she's in the best shape possible from all standpoints before doing this, particularly a largery surgical procedure.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of RealSelf100

Michael E. Ciaravino, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I recommend checking with the manufacturer of the implants. If your wife has a warranty on the implants she may be eligible to have the ruptured implant replaced along with a portion of the surgical fees covered by the manufacturer. If that is not an available option, look into finding a local plastic surgeon that specializes in percutaneous implant deflations, and have the implant that is not ruptured intentionally deflated so she is at least symmetric until she is financially able to afford the replacement surgery.

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