I have a ruptured saline implant. My daughter is still nursing. What are my options?

Question

I would like to have another child and have put off getting pregnant to fix the implant issue, but have been told breastfeeding presents a bacteria issue. I'm older so I shouldn't wait a year (the time to stop, dry up and get surgery) to get pregnant. But I also don't want to wait 3 years to have this fixed as it is unsightly and painful with the shell resting near my ribs

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD · Answer

Most surgeons consider breast feeding a contraindication to placing or replacing implants. The risk of infection and capsular contracture is unacceptably high. If you are having pain from the implant, one option is to remove one or probably both implants and replace them after you have had your next child and completed breast feeding.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kisttt,

you should remove or replace ruptured implant and sometimes it can be done under local anesthesia. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you 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

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Dear Kisttt,
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and personal question—it's clear that you're navigating a very real tension between your health, comfort, and your plans for family.

You’ve been given important advice, and you're right to pause and think carefully. Breastfeeding does not usually present a significant bacterial risk in healthy individuals with implants; however, operating on the breast during or soon after lactation can increase risks such as infection, prolonged drainage, and altered healing due to residual milk production. Surgeons often recommend waiting at least 6–12 months after stopping breastfeeding to allow the milk ducts to involute and tissues to return to baseline.

That said, in your case—with persistent discomfort, visible implant malposition, and the shell resting near the ribs—your symptoms go beyond cosmetic concerns. Pain and distortion can absolutely interfere with quality of life.

Here’s my professional recommendation, based on both current literature and years of experience:

You may need to prioritize between family planning and revision surgery.
In your case, given your age and desire to expand your family, it may be best to remove both implants now—a relatively straightforward procedure that can relieve discomfort and reduce complications. Then, proceed with your plans for pregnancy and breastfeeding without the added concern of implant-related issues.
Breast volume, shape, and skin quality will naturally change with pregnancy and lactation. Trying to surgically correct the breast now—only to face further tissue changes—may lead to a suboptimal or short-lived result. Once your family plans are complete and your body has returned to its post-lactation baseline, a more definitive enhancement can be pursued. At that time, a combination of breast lift and re-augmentation (or just a lift, depending on your goals) can give you a beautiful, stable, and lasting outcome.

This path gives you the best chance of comfort, peace of mind, and aesthetic satisfaction—without rushing into a revision that may soon be undone by natural life changes.

If you’d like to talk through the risks or details of implant removal versus revision, I always recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess you in person and partner with you through this process.

All the best,

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA
ESJ Aesthetics

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You could pump milk to store it, have the implant removed/replaced, and hold off breast feeding and ween your child onto a bottle and do the surgery.  However, you need to stop breast feeding for a minimum of 3 months, better 6, unless you just want it removed.

I have a ruptured saline implant. My daughter is still nursing. What are my options?

Answers (4)

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