Is It Safe to Leave Silicone in the Breast Tissue After Removal of 25 Year Old Implants?

Question

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

There have been no studies showing that this situation will be harmful to you.  However, the FDA is recommending removal of silicone implants at this time as a precaution.

David L. Mobley, MD, FACS · Answer

Having removed many old ruptured silicone implants I can attest that very small amounts of silicone are often left behind in spite of my best efforts to remove every last bit.

	I have yet to see a patient return with problems, granulomas or otherwise and they are always thankful to have new, usually more aesthetically pleasing implants which are soft.

	Often ruptures, which extend outside the natural scar layer which forms around the implant (extracapsular) are associated with hardening of the implants (capsular contracture) and this problem is solved at the same time.

	There is no harm to your overall system from this tiny amount of silicone.  Of course, if you look on the Internet long enough you will find an uninformed or clearly biased web site that claims they will make you sick.  Steer clear of these since their rants are not scientifically based and usually just unsubstantiated assumptions (or worse someone trying to profit by inspiring fear).

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

It is very typical after silicone gel implants have been in place for many years, and especially after attempts at a 'closed' capsulotomy, so common used to soften gel implants in the past, that there is some leakage of the silicone gel into the breast tissue. It can be very difficult to remove and will cause no health risks if left behind. Small silicone cysts can remain without much harm.

	Best of luck,

	peterejohnsonmd

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

No matter how thorough the doctor is in removing old silicone implants it is usually impossible to remove a 100 % of old silicone.This should NOT be cause for alarm.It is perfectly OK.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

With ruptured implants, one aims to remove as much of the silicone as possible. Often, it is contained in the capsule surrounding the implant which makes its removal much easier. If there is free silicone outside of the capsule extending into the surround tissues, it can be very difficult to remove all of it. Within reason, attempts are usually made to remove as much of this as possible but there are risks including permanent breast deformities in these areas due to to concommitant removal of the breast tissue.

	Silicone has not been shown to increase your risk for breast cancer.

Is It Safe to Leave Silicone in the Breast Tissue After Removal of 25 Year Old Implants?

Answers (9)

Answer: Silicone left behind

Answer: Silicone left behind

Answer: Removal of silicone with implant rupture

Answer: Removal of silicone with implant rupture

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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Is It Safe to Leave Silicone in the Breast Tissue After Removal of 25 Year Old Implants?

Answers (9)

Answer: Silicone left behind

Answer: Silicone left behind

Answer: Removal of silicone with implant rupture

Answer: Removal of silicone with implant rupture

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.