Risks to having a deflated saline implant remain in body? Can Mentor 2005 lifetime warranty apply to 2001/2002 implants? (photo)

To my knowledge, there is no risk to your health in leaving a ruptured implant in.  The implant pocket may shrink and make your reconstruction later slightly more challenging though.Sheila Nazarian

Beverly Hills

The only risk I can speculate on is if you start appreciating a pointy edge that gets more prominent with time as it could potentially extrude.  The shell itself is inert and the saline supposedly sterile when placed will remain sterile.  As for replacement, you could see your surgeon or contact Mentor directly.  This is where a good relationship with your rep can help get a replacement implant (that is all you would get from your warranty) if your warranty is expired.  You will still have the other costs of the operation such as surgeon fees, facility fees, and anesthesia fees.  If you can't afford it now, you could consider intentionally deflating your full side so you're back to symmetry or find an enhancer that allows you to look symmetrical in your clothes.

 There  shouldn't be a problem leaving a saline implant in your body that has deflated.   Mentor offers a lifetime warranty for your implants.   Although at this point they will not give you any money towards surgery, they will give you a replacement implant. The best option is to contact mentor directly and discuss your situation. 

Thank you for your question and photo and I would go on consults with experts in your area that use Mentor implants and have them contact Mentor for you and start the process of replacementDr Corbin

In all my years of practice there's been no health risk with leaving saline implants in.  There shouldn't be any chance of mold growing since the fluid is the same as your own body fluid.  Once the implant has deflated the pocket can start to shrink making it harder for the surgeon and patient when it is replaced.

Deflated implants pose no harmful risks, Mentor may replace the implants at no cost for the prosthesis but you may have to pay for the surgeon's fees and the operating room for implant replacement. Find yourself a surgeon and start the process.N. G. Morrison MD

The best way to approach this rupture and your warranty is to contact Mentor directly. If you have your implant card with serial numbers and reference numbers that will help Mentor in tracking your exact benefits for your warranty. As far as the ruptured implant there are no risks associated with leaving the implant in short term. In my practice I intentionally deflate patients saline implants in the office 1 month - 3 months prior to their scheduled exchange surgery. The deflation is done for various reasons, but one major benefit of the deflation process is that it allows the skin to retract for patients who would like to be smaller, but do not want or need a lift. If you continue to experience discomfort from the valve the best way to relieve the pain is to compress the area. Because you only have one implant deflated you can use an ace wrap to wrap the breast diagonally.