Kayaking after breast revision? Mentor, silicone cohesive gel, placed in 2007

Tens of millions of women who had their implants placed in the 60's, 70's, 80's, and even early 90's never had their implants checked and spent many years of their lives with ruptured implants. When evaluated in subsequent studies, they were found to be no different than women without implants in regards to general health or specific systemic diseases. Despite the hullabaloo about 'breast implant illness' in recent years, the data accumulated over the last 50 years do not support some mysterious illness. In fact, BII can't even qualify as an disease process because there is no specific set of symptoms. And now, activists label any symptom or other known disease a result caused by her implants. The reality is that implants, and especially ruptured implants, only cause local issues associated mostly with scar tissue around the device. If you think you have a ruptured implant, then see a surgeon who has high resolution ultrasound and can surveil your devices. Even if one is ruptured, it is not a medical emergency. You should probably take at least 4-6 weeks off from kayaking after surgery

Dear Areynolds34,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Although it is probably safe to Kayak and backpack with a ruptured implant, I personally would advise against this. A concern is that the increased activity could potentially convert an intracapsular rupture to an extracapsular failure. I would suggest that you confirm the rupture by having an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound of the implants before resuming these high intensity activities. Post surgery, I generally ask patients to avoid strenuous activity for a month

You will need implant exchange. I usually do these in the submuscular position and it would be about 1 month before you can return to kayaking.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

An implant rupture isn't a medical emergency, but it should be addressed as soon as it's feasible. You will need to recover from surgery and can return to regular activities after six weeks, however it is best to gradually increase intensity.

If your implant was placed since 2007, you have the new gel which stays together and stays inside your capsule. You can still kayak, but with a good supporting bra. After surgery, you will need to postpone kayaking for 6-8 weeks.

An mri is the most sensitive study for evaluating silicon implants.
That would be the radiological study of choice.
A plastic surgeon is not going to be able to determine if your implant is ruptured based on examination alone.
Once silicon implants rupture, the body will be exposed to the silicon gel from inside the implant.
With modern cohesive implants, the spread of silicone throughout the capsule will be less, but despite being cohesive silicon particles can still migrate around the capsule surface. For some individuals, this will cause an inflammatory response with thickening of the scar tissue around the implant and potentially the development of a capsular contraction.
For example, a patient who has had stable silicon implants for over 10 years who gradually begins to develop capsular contraction will likely have a ruptured silicon implant based an exam only. MRI may or may not confirm the rupture.
There is no definitive answer if implants should be replaced at certain time intervals.
The implant manufacturers have conveniently put all of the responsibility for these decisions on patients and providers, giving only strict recommendations in regards to interval monitoring using MRI exams.
The majority of patients do not follow the recommended follow up schedule of MRI studies after having silicon implants placed.
No one can give you a definitive answer if kayaking with potential ruptured implant is going to cause problems for you. You don’t know if your implants have ruptured.
I think most providers would say continue living your life and either choose to electively exchange the implants or wait until you have a sufficient problem justifying having a second procedure.
Rippling alone would not necessarily indicate a ruptured implant.
I think you’ll find that plastic surgeons may have different opinions and some may lean towards swapping implants which would not be inappropriate with implants that are 17 years old.
It would be relatively important for a new plastic surgeon to know the exact model and size of implants previously used.
If you don’t have the identification cards for your implants, then try to get the medical records from your original surgery if still available.
Swapping implants using the same or smaller implants is typically very straightforward if there is no capsular contraction or other issues.
Exchanging to larger implants will require a bit more extensive surgery, including opening the pocket to accommodate larger implants. likewise, if there’s any other adjustment that needs to be made or if you have any degree of capsular contraction, then implant exchange is a bit more complex.
Everything else being the same simply swapping plants is a relatively fast and easy operation and is generally substantially less complex than a primary augmentation.
if there are issues with your current result, then swapping implants alone, maybe insufficient to get a quality outcome.
For example, if you’re having rippling, then you may need more work than simply exchanging implants.
Your situation is better assessed through in person consultations, and I generally recommend people avoid virtual consultations for most plastic surgical procedures.
If you’re going to a new provider, then come to your consultations prepared bringing with you as much information from your primary procedure as possible.
If you have access to a complete set of your previous medical records, that would be ideal.
A new plastic surgeon would want to know the exact model and size of implants, have access to your previous operative report and preferably also have access to a complete set of proper before and after pictures from your first surgery.
You can prepare for your upcoming consultations by trying to obtain that information if you don’t already have it.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD