It Looks As Though my Silicone Implant is Leaking and I Am 34 Weeks Pregnant?

Question

I had to have full double breast removal about 4 years ago. Do to the removal, I had silicone implants put in. I am 34 weeks pregnant right now, and it appears as though one of my implants may be leaking. My obgyn and plastic surgeon's is already closed for the day. I'm just wondering if this is something that needs immediate attention tonight, due to being pregnant. The reason that I think it is leaking instead of changes in breast tissue due to being pregnant, is because it

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I don't know why you think your breast implants are leaking. Even if they are the capsule will contain all silicone gel and there is no urgent need for treatment. Your pregnancies not in danger.

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

First of all, congratulations on your little one to come! As for your ruptured silicone gel implant, there is no immediate urgency to do anything. Focus on your baby! After your baby is born is when you should move forward with your breast by seeing your surgeon and diagnosing if your really do have an actual rupture and go from there. ac

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

You did not mention why you believe that your implant is leaking. With the new form of breast implants produced after 2009 there is little chance of the implant gel material migrating since the gel is more cohesive than it was prior to this time. The problem is non an emergency. You would need some type of diagnostic study to determine if it was actually ruptured such as a mammogram, MRI or ultrasound.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

You will not be able to have surgery until after your baby is born. It will be possible to have a sonogram but this is not a medical emergency.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

Try not to worry but the latest information we have, and which has not changed in 13 years is that silicone doesn't cause disease or other problems. Your plastic surgeon should be able to confirm this when you contact him/her. If you implant is only 4 years old, you also have the newer generation implants that are more viscous. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and when you're done with that, then you can further pursue your breast issues. But do contact your surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. I would be interested in knowing how you have detected a possible silicone gel breast implant leakage;  this leakage is usually difficult to detect clinically.  Often, an MRI study is necessary to determine whether a silicone breast implant has leaked or not.

	 At this point, a breast implant leakage would not need immediate attention;  it will likely be in your best interests to deliver and then undergo a workout for the breast implant leakage question. In other words, no “immediate attention” necessary.

	 I hope this helps.

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

It appears as though you didn't get to finish your question for some reason; perhaps you ran out of characters. In any event, I think you got enough through to understand your concern. As long as you weren't going to say anything like your breast is red, swollen, hot, painful, you have fevers or anything else to imply some acute and evolving situation, like infection, the following applies. The first thing that I want to get across is that silicone implants put in 4 years ago would have been of the current vintage gel, and all of these gels on the market essentially behave like solids. Therefore, the word "leak" really doesn't apply to them. Even if the outer shell of the implant ruptures, the gel most likely will stay right inside the shell. If you cut these implants open with a scissor you can see that the gel doesn't even move out of the implant. It is sticky inside like a marshmallow, but it is solid. It doesn't run or leak like a liquid. This is important to know, because it means that the gel would not be expected to travel or get "into your system." Furthermore, even if the gel gets out of the implant, as long as the scar tissue capsule which forms around all implants remains intact, the gel will be contained inside. Again, it won't get "into your system." Thus, I think that there is little to no risk involved with leaving your gel implants alone until you deliver your baby in 3 weeks or so, and after that time you can have an MRI to assess the implants for rupture. Even if you find a rupture at that time it's not an emergency, and although we probably should get the ruptured implant out at some point, it can be planned for a time that's convenient for you. So, the bottom line is that even if you have a strong suspicion, or actually even if you know for sure, that your implant is ruptured, there is far greater risk to you and baby from doing anything right now, and I suggest that you go forward and enjoy your baby's arrival with peace of mind, and when everything settles down for you, look into the implant issue with your plastic surgeon and see what is really going on. Good luck, and congratulations.

It Looks As Though my Silicone Implant is Leaking and I Am 34 Weeks Pregnant?

Answers (7)

More Breast Implants Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (7)

More Breast Implants Questions

Breast Implants and Weight Change?

Are my Breast Implant Pockets Too Big?

Is There Anything a Doctor Can Do to Create Under-boob That is Not Present in a Pre-op Breast? (photo)

What direction will implants point?

What are the odds of capsular contracture recurrence?

Can I Jump from a 30 Ft Rock into Water Without Causing Harm to my Saline Breast?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS