How safe are breast implants for patients with connective tissue disease and lupus anticoagulant?

Question

I have a history of connective tissue disease and lupus anticoagulant that was discovered after two miscarriages, and the blood work that followed. I have been wanting for many years to get breast implants but have been reluctant as I have not been able to find good information on the safety in getting them with this medical history? Concern of clots and rejection? I currently take an aspirin daily and did take sub Q heparin for 2 pregnancies that followed. Would love professional insight!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Breast implants neither cause nor antagonize autoimmune/CTD diseases. Your real concern is your propensity to form clots, and like your pregnancies (which are far more high risk than a short surgery), you would be given an injectable heparin fragment for three to five days.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear eck2327,
there have been numerous studies on the safety and efficacy of silicone breast implants. The FDA has approved them to be safe and breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States every year. Implants are much different than they used to be with rigorous testing and cohesive gel. I can't tell you how happy my breast augmentation patients have been with their implants.
I would recommend a consult with a plastic surgeon to go over all of your concerns. Saline implants are also a perfectly good option if you are still concerned and are less expensive.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

How safe are breast implants for patients with connective tissue disease and lupus anticoagulant?

Answers (2)