My Implant Has Suddenly Become Hard and Larger This Morning. I've Had It for 15 Years and Believe It Was Made in Germany?

Question

I believe it is made of two parts. It was filled with saline I think. Tanna

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

You should see a board certified plastic surgeon you can trust as soon as you can. This sounds like a seroma, hematoma or even capsular contracture.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Hematoma or seroma formation acutely 15 years after breast augmentation is extremely rare. There also some other very unusual conditions that can cause fluid to collect around the prosthesis although more insidiously. Regardless of the cause it needs to be evaluated urgently.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Sudden enlargement of a breast years after augmentation can be due to infection, seroma or sudden bleeding from a tear in the surrounding capsule. You should get checked by a Plastic surgeon as soon as reasonably possible.

Steven Yarinsky, MD, FACS · Answer

Differential of sudden swelling includes bleeding, infection, seroma, cancer.  all require urgent follow-up with a plastic surgeon.

Gavin Sandercoe, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hi Tanna

	A sudden increase in size like you are describing is most likely to be a bleed with resulting haematoma. It is worth getting an ultrasound and booking an appointment with a local Plastic Surgeon to get this assessed. It is likely that you will need your implants exchanged as part of the process of treating this problem.

	Good Luck

	Dr Gavin Sandercoe

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Likeliest is a fluid collection, and attention by a plastic surgeon is important. This would be a bleed, or perhaps a seroma, which could be the presentation of a rare (but almost always curable) tumor involving the breast capsule--ACLC, or anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

	Although not an emergency, it deserves prompt attention. Best wishes.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, and thank you for your question...I would definitely recommend setting up a consultation with a plastic surgeon as soon as possible. The sudden increase in size suggests the accumulation of fluid of some sort. The most likely of which is blood or seroma fluid. A plastic surgeon will examine and evaluate you as well as obtain imaging to see what the cause of the problem is. Hope this helps.

	Best of luck to you!

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

I have seen a patient with almost the same history. The implant can develop a crease and erode into the capsule and start an intracapsular bleed. Since this was a sudden occurrence I would seek the care of a plastic surgeon as soon as possible.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

At 15 years postop, an implant failure is the most likely cause followed by seroma and capsular bleeding. You will need a workup by a plastic surgeon.  Often, if there is an implant failure, patients will have pain and swelling as fluid leaks out into the surrounding tissue before being reabsorbed.

Thomas P. McHugh, MD · Answer

For a "sudden" enlargement of the breast after augmentation many years ago you would need fluid build up around the breast implant. Blood would be the most likely. If the breast is not red and swollen infection is unlikely. This is a case where you need to see your plastic surgeon for examination. Any tests would be determined at that time.

My Implant Has Suddenly Become Hard and Larger This Morning. I've Had It for 15 Years and Believe It Was Made in Germany?

Answers (11)

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