I'm a 73 years old woman and weight 140 pounds. Received silicone injections in 1969. Right breast is now deformed, options?

Question

Hi, I am a 73 years old woman, weight 140 pounds and I'm 5ft.6inches. i received silicone injections in 1969. I went from a B cup to a D cup. My right breast is now deformed. It is very hard and lumpy and is oozing a clear liquid and it bleeds a lot. This has been going on for a long time. I have enlarged or raised dark purple veins all over my breasts. Can you tell me the procedure and the down time etc. After the silicone is removed will i be able to have breast implants? Thank You!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Injectable silicone was once used to augment the breasts and we soon learned that this can cause longterm complications. You are experiencing problems that should be addressed so as to minimize longterm inflammation of the breasts. I would begin with a mammogram to assess the density of the injectable followed by ultrasound to see if there are any cysts of silicone that can be removed without surgery. I would suggest removing as much of the material as possible followed by implant reconstruction if possible.

Thank you,
Dr. Karamanoukian

Thank you,
Dr. Karamanoukian

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Cheerful 765902, thank you for your question regarding the removal of illegal raw silicone injections that were injected into your breasts in 1969. I’m sorry you’re having difficulties with your breasts now. I am extremely concerned that you have enlarged and raised dark purple veins all over your breast. In addition, I am concerned that you have a very hard, lumpy breasts which leak clear liquid and bleed a lot. These descriptions are very concerning. I would suggest immediate removal of your breast silicone. Typically, an incision is made underneath the breast and the silicone and scar tissue are directly removed. I perform breast reconstruction at the same surgery. Thus, I typically insert a breast implant on each side. I perform breast implant at the same time as breast silicone removal. The procedure takes approximately five hours to complete under general anesthesia. Plan for recovery of approximately two weeks. Since removing silicone from the breasts is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in removing silicone from the breasts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 breast silicone removal surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, breast silicone removal surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Hi Cheerful,Have you had this condition treated? I treat a lot of silicone problems in my New York offices- from buttocks, to face, to breast. In addition to the aesthetic concerns, there are serious medical problems that can erupt from this this substance. I'd recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this treatment. You can read more about my Silicone Removal Center in the link below. I always follow my silicone removal with some sort of reconstructive procedure. New implants for you may be possible after adequate healing from the removal. Best of luck to you.
Dr. Nik

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

There is a very high likelihood that your old implants are ruptured and densely encapsulated. This is not medically dangerous, but a frontal consultation with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon is advisable to discuss all of your options. Best of luck to you.

Praful Ramineni, MD · Answer

We have done quite a few breast silicone removal operations.  Generally the skin is involved and the treatment requires direct removal of the affected tissue and breast reconstruction (usually at a second stage).  Each surgery is individualized depending on the degree of tissue damage from the silicone.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Unfortunately you did not post photos and injected illegal substances years ago having late occurring consequences. My recommendation is seek immediate in person or virtual consults with boarded PSs. My guess is you will need skin loss simple mastectomies with either tissue expander or flap reconstructions.But since, again. no posted photos very hard to discuss.

I'm a 73 years old woman and weight 140 pounds. Received silicone injections in 1969. Right breast is now deformed, options?

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