Is it safe to wait 2 months to replace ruptured implant? Abrading breast tissue/developing scar tissue that affects the pocket?

Question

I have a leaking, 22 year old Mentor saline implant (230 cc), placed over the pectoral. I plan to replace with similar implant - texture, shape and size - to try to not disturb any further tissue by having to recreate or enlarge the current pocket. I believe if I have a smooth implant, it should be replaced with same because the surrounding tissue is already acclimated to that texture. Thanks for addressing my concerns, your advice and feedback is much appreciated.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Most women like to have a deflation dealt with as soon as possible.  There is no harm in waiting however.  The pocket may shrink down around the old implant so the space may need to be recreated, but that's not a big deal.  If you had no problem with smooth implants, stick with the smooth ones. Also, saline implants usually have a lifetime warrantee. Make sure you check into that.

Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS · Answer

If you did not have a capsular contracture, are not interested in changing your size, and you dont need a lift, replacing the implant in the same pocket sounds like an easy way to go.  There is no rush to change the implants, you can continue living with a deflated implant and you may concider an office procedure to deflate the other implant so that you can have symmetry until you are ready for surgery to replace both implants.

Christopher Khorsandi, MD · Answer

You can wait for a few weeks to a few months after an implant ruptures.  The tissue will contract somewhat but this should not be too much of an issue in an experienced surgeon's hands.  Replacing the implant with a similar implant is possible, however depending on how the native breast tissue looks, and how much laxity there is, a possible lift may be necessary.  A consultation is necessary for a proper surgical plan.

Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS · Answer

Every case will be different and even if you were to replace it with the exact size implant filled to the same volume, your board-certified plastic surgeon may have to modifiy the capsule (scar that surrounds the implant). If your capsule was tight before, this would be necessary to give you a better result. It may be recommended that the entire capsule will need to be removed. The only way for you to know is to schedule a consultation, or, more, with board-certified plastic surgeons who can examine you and give you their best advice as to what you need.I hope this helpsDr. Edwards

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

The pocket begins to shrink after an implant ruptures and you surgeon will be modifying your old capsule or removing itDr Corbin

Howard N. Robinson, MD (retired) · Answer

It is certainly safe to replace a leaking
implant two months after discovering the implant failure. Saline implants don't
leak slowly, it is pretty much an all or none phenomenon and usually only takes
a day or two. Delaying the replacement makes achieving symmetry with the othwer
side more difficult as the pocket will get smaller when the implant fails,
requiring morer surgery and sometimes symmetry is not possible. I would suggest
you exchange your implants as soon as possible.

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

There is no harm in waiting 2 months to remove your deflated implant.  In fact, when women with very large saline implants want to replace them with much smaller ones we often deflate their implants in the office first and wait several months.  The capsule and skin will contract making the replacement easier.  This tells you that waiting will mean that your surgeon will likely have to either enlarge the contracted pocket or remove the capsule completely.  There is no harm in changing to a textured implant or even a slightly larger one.  The tissues will not have a problem with that.  Smooth implants over the muscle have a higher capsular contracture rate, but you have gone 22 years without that happening which is great.  Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that it won't happen the next time.

Is it safe to wait 2 months to replace ruptured implant? Abrading breast tissue/developing scar tissue that affects the pocket?

Answers (7)

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