Ruptured Saline Implant Hurts, How Harmful to Leave in?

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

If your breast #implants are ruptured, or, more than 10 years old, consideration should be given to replacement.  Plastic surgeons who have specialized in breast surgery and cosmetic surgery are suitable to perform your breast augmentation #revision. Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

You will be able to self-diagnose the need for an implant exchange (if using a saline implant) because if the current implant ruptures, the breast will shrink to approximately its preoperative size. A silicone implant that has a rupture is usually noted on a routine mammogram or MRI scan. In either case although the situation should be corrected on a timely basis especially if it "looks like it is going to come through your skin" as it just might do that.

If you are having pain, then you should have the implant removed and if you wish, have it replaced. You may find it very difficult to get this covered by your insurance, but a letter from your surgeon stating medical necessity may be helpful. Good luck.

Rhonda, technically speaking the ruptured saline implant is not harmful to your health and in my experience it  is very difficult to get insurance to cover removal.  That being said you will not be penalized for trying to get it approved.  A call to your insurance company to find out what your specific plan says about implant removal may save you a lot of time and headache.  The good news is that in most cases saline breast implants can be removed under local anesthesia as a simple office procedure.  This greatly reduces cost and risk.  If your ruptured implant is uncomfortable you should probably have it removed, but it is really not an emergency. From a cosmetic standpoint you can have the other implant ruptured so you are not so lopsided if you wish.  Good luck.  Hope that helps.