Is it possible for silicone to leak through your skin?

Question

I had a double mastectomy in November 2014, reconstructive surgery in March 2015. I woke up this morning with my bra completely soaked on one side. I can't tell where it's coming from but it's got a weird feel to the liquid. It almost feels like baby oil! Could this be silicone coming from my implant thru my skin or an incision somewhere???

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.This is most likely seroma fluid that has opened up and not the implant.Please see your PS asap.The best way to assess and give true advice would an in-person exam.Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Since you had your reconstructive surgery recently, you had the 4th or 5th generation implants which usually would not present the way you describe it for a silicone leak.  You most likely had a seroma and it found its way out through one of your scars.  Please call your plastics surgeon's office and inform them as you may need to be seen and placed on antibiotics if there is communication with your implant.  you may also need surgery, so please call them.  Best of luck

Jaron McMullin, MD · Answer

You likely had fluid in a pocket either around or near your implant, and that pocket slowly made a tunnel to the surface. The fluid has a lot of protein and will feel slippery. You should see your PS as soon as possible to see if you need to start antibiotics and to start the process of finding from where exactly the fluid came. Like other answers say, the gel of silicone won't leak out in this manner.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

The leakage that you are experiencing is most likely not from the implant.  It is not unusual to have drainage after any procedure.  This may be seroma fluid.  If you have concerns see your plastic surgeon.  The newer generation silicone gel implants are made from form stable gel and would not leak like the older styled implants.

Mark A. Brzezienski, MS, MD, FACS · Answer

In all likelihood, a seroma has drained through your skin.  A typical site of drainage is a former incision. You should contact your plastic surgeon immediately for treatment advice. An opening between your skin surface and the implant may put your reconstruction in jeopardy.  Modern silicone implants implants used in reconstruction are either 4th or 5th generation gels.  Both gels are cohesive, the 5th generation gels are highly cohesive and used in shaped form stable devises. All silicone implants have rupture rates, but freely flowing liquid is not consistent with the "physics" of modern silicone implant gels.

Is it possible for silicone to leak through your skin?

Answers (5)