My implant ruptured about five weeks ago. Will my breast tissue start to shrink? Or does it take time?

Question

I would like to have new implants, however the state is shut down for elective surgeries. My concern is that my breast tissue will shrink while I’m waiting to have the procedure and I will not be able to get the desired size implants

Stephanie Beidler Teotia, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. A ruptured silicone implant shouldn't change the size or shape of your breast. The implant is contained within the capsule. The capsule is what surrounds the implant in the pocket that was created for the implant. I would search for a board certified plastic surgeon that is doing video appointments and tell them of your situation. Hopefully you will be able to have your surgery soon. Good luck.Sincerely,Stephanie Teotia, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello,
Great question. I am sorry for your post op difficulties. The ruptured of your implants should not cause your breast tissue to shrink. Please visit a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed surgical plan to achieve your desired results.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Helpful131681,
if you have ruptured implant, then it should be removed. Waiting time should have no effect on your breast tissue size. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear of your implant failure. My operating room will be up and running very soon. Best to make a consultation appointment ASAP. You can have an initial virtual consult even today, get an estimate and proceed with booking. Best to replace it ASAP. Good luck...

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your rupture.  Unfortunately many patients are stuck in this quarantine period unable to be operated on, but fortunately your results will not be materially impacted by the ruptured implant, especially if you have silicone implants.  Talk to your surgeon and inform them of your rupture so that they can confirm it and book your procedure as early as possible.

James Knoetgen, III, MD · Answer

I’m sorry you’re going through that – it’s a stressful situation. 
To answer your question: your breast tissue itself usually doesn’t shrink just because an implant ruptures. However, the appearance or volume of your breast may change depending on a few factors: 
•	If it’s a saline implant: When a saline implant ruptures, the saltwater leaks out and the breast can deflate fairly quickly (within days to weeks). It’s not your breast tissue shrinking – it’s the loss of volume from the implant itself. 
•	If it’s a silicone implant: Silicone gel usually stays inside the capsule (the scar tissue your body forms around the implant). So a rupture often doesn’t cause a quick visible change. Over time, if the silicone moves outside the capsule or causes inflammation, the shape of the breast can slowly change, but it’s usually more gradual. 
Breast tissue can sometimes thin or weaken over years with implants (especially large ones), but that’s a long-term effect, not an immediate response to rupture. 
In your case, five weeks after rupture: 
•	If it’s saline, you might already see deflation. 
•	If it’s silicone, your breast might look the same for now, but over time, subtle changes can occur depending on how your body reacts. 
It’s usually recommended to have a rupture implant evaluated and replaced or removed, especially for silicone implants, to avoid complications like silicone migration or capsular contracture.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

A ruptured breast implant will not impact the volume of natural breast tissue that you have.  When elective surgeries resume you will be able to have the ruptured implant replaced.  I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.  Many are offering virtual visits during this time.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Tith a ruptured saline implant, you will loose the volume of the saline and become smaller. The breast tissue remains the same. The capsule around the implant may also start to shrink over time. However, there is no damage or danger waiting to have this replaced. You will also notice more empty corners of your saline bag. With a ruptured gel implant, you probably will notice no change.

Mary Gingrass, MD · Answer

A ruptured silicone or sailing implant will not change the size of your native breast. That being said, if you have a saline implant that is ruptured, you will notice a decrease in the size of your breast as the saline is absorbed by your body.  If you have a ruptured silicone implant then you will probably not notice any change in the size of your breast.   The silicone will stay within the capsule, which is the thin layer of scar tissue that surrounds any breast implant, whether saline or silicone.  Saline can escape through the capsule, which is why a ruptured saline implant  gets smaller when it is leaking.   Hope this helps  Try getting a virtual consultation and you may be able to get on the schedule more quickly once things open up in your state.  stay safe.

Christine Blaine, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Helpful131681 and thank you for your question.  If you have saline implants a rupture would present with a deflation in the size of your impacted breast.  If you have silicone gel implants a rupture can often go unnoticed, but other times visual changes in the shape of the breast can be observed.  In either case, an implant rupture is something that you would want to be evaluated for and have corrected.  I would encourage you to schedule a virtual consultation with your board certified plastic surgeon for an evaluation and to discuss the best next steps.Some board certified plastic surgeons, like myself, have our own accredited surgical centers that we hope to open as soon as the restrictions/bans are lifted and it is considered safe to do so.  Having surgery in one of these office-based facilities will keep you out of the hospital - many of which are still battling the COVID19 pandemic - and hopefully be able to schedule you for surgery sooner than if you needed to wait for OR time at a local hospital or surgery center that is likely backlogged with cases previously scheduled and postponed.  If you have not done so already, reach out to your surgeon and see if they can schedule you for a virtual consultation and evaluation.  I hope that this helps and I wish you all the best.

My implant ruptured about five weeks ago. Will my breast tissue start to shrink? Or does it take time?

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