Is it normal to feel the implant against the chestwall or ribs? 1 yr post op.

Question

silicone implant under the muscle with a lift. a month ago i began to feel something up against my chestwall there is slight pain when i move the implant against the chest wall. This is also the same side i sleep on. I have had a ultrasound that came back normal. I have asked for a MRI but my physician will not order it because of the ultrasound results. Is it normal to feel the implant against the chest wall after all this time? Im so afraid ... The implant is soft .. 500cc

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Most patients do not complain of this sensation, but that is not to say that it does not happen. If you were not feeling any kind of odd sensations, and now all of the sudden, you are having problems, then I would certainly get it investigated. An ultrasound can look for fluid collections around the implant, but is not the definitive test for silicone implants. An MRI is the study recommended for evaluation of silicone implants and is the study required by the FDA for monitoring silicone implants for so-called "silent rupture." The recommendation is to have an MRI at three years post-op and then every two years after that. Bottom line, if you feel like something is wrong and your doctor will not address it, find someone who will.Good luck to you!

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Your implants being submuscular are indeed sitting on your ribs.  Thereby they will move on your ribs with your muscle movements.  That is part of all submuscular implants.  Most patients get used to it but it does not go away. You do not need MRI.

Bruce Hermann, MD · Answer

Hello! Thanks for your question.Awareness of your implant, although not something most women complain about, is not necessarily abnormal or an indication of something going wrong.If you told me that for the first year you didn't feel the implant but now suddenly you do, I would be a bit more concerned that something unwanted might be happening, but it still could be totally normal in that scenario though.I would recommend having your plastic surgeon evaluate you. He/she can determine if there is something to be concerned about. My first thought when someone says they can suddenly feel their implant when they could not before is that they might be starting to develop a capsular contracture around the implant.Hope this helps.

Is it normal to feel the implant against the chestwall or ribs? 1 yr post op.

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Is it normal to feel the implant against the chestwall or ribs? 1 yr post op.

Answers (3)

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