Having a lumpectomy and I have silicone implants. Any suggestions?

This is a great question. When you have a breast augmentation and now have a suspicious mass it is always stressful. Not only because you have implants and a mass but having a mass in general. It is imperative to identify what is the pathological diagnosis of the mass is and based on that your treatment plan. You are absolutely correct in thinking about what will happen to the implant and not unusual for implant to get damaged which may require additional procedures. If the lumpectomy is malignant and requires mastectomy than insurance will cover your reconstruction. If it is benign and implant ruptures you will be responsible for a new implant. If it is malignant and can be treated with lumpectomy and radiation you will be responsible for a new implant costs. The removal of ruptured implant will depend on your general surgeon and most of the time they would recommend for a plastic surgeon to address that. Sometimes they may recommend for you to see a plastic surgeon to perform the lumpectomy. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I would consider seeing a surgeon who already works with a PS in case there is a need to intervene. That will give you an opportunity to meet with the PS in advance and learn about the risks of having a lumpectomy with the implant in place.

I would suggest your general surgeon consult with a plastic surgeon with experience in breast reconstruction.  Anything involving the implant at this juncture should be covered by insurance.  All the Best.

You should know that you are not alone in this and your exact scenario occurs everyday. I would start by asking your general surgeon who he/she prefers to work with for reconstruction by a plastic surgeon. Because you have a mass that needs to be removed, this now falls into a reconstructive realm of plastic surgery and should be covered by your insurance plan. You can and should get an in person consultation with a plastic and reconstructive surgery who will be able to answer all of your questions. The 2 surgeons can often work one after the other so that you wake up already reconstructed with new implants. Best of luck!

Yes.  No needle work without image guidance.  Also, please inform surgeon about implants so they can be aware and avoid injury to the implant.  This is a routine procedure that requires communication to all involved.Hope this helps.Dr. Ali Mosharrafa

First of all good luck and hope the lump is benign!  I would ask your general surgeon if he is comfortable working close to the implant.  There are techniques that can be used that will likely protect the implant.  Your general surgeon may not be familiar with these techniques.  If he is not, he may be willing (he should be willing) to allow your plastic surgeon (who will be more than happy to do this I am sure) to assist in surgery.It is very unlikely that the implant is currently ruptured (the rupture rate runs about 2-3%).  However if the implant is ruptured during surgery, your insurance company should cover replacement (although that might be a fight).  And that is another reason for your plastic surgeon to be involved--so that a replacement implant can be on hand and inserted if the original is damaged.Good luck.  These issues are not unusual and in the vast majority of cases everything turns out just fine.