Can saline implants leak slowly over time?

Question

I have saline implants & over the past several months I have noticed my left breast becoming more ripply and the volume looks smaller than the right. My right breast is full & round and the left looks totally different. The top view of the left breast looks a little caved in. I knew ripples could occur with saline implants but for one breast to develop more ripples, change in volume, & look irregular in shape is concerning me. Is it a faulty valve and would only leak when there is pressure then?

Eric Pugash, MD · Answer

A saline implant will eventually leak at the filling valve or, more commonly, through a small hole in the shell or 'bag.' A valve leak may be slow, but the more common type of leak through a hole usually drains the implant fairly rapidly - the breast will usually deflate over a couple of weeks. Saline implants are expected to last 10 to 15 years. Silicone gel implants will typically last 15 to 20 years before failing. The breast does not deflate; the gel is held in place by the scar tissue capsule that has formed around the implant. All the best!

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Saline implants can leak, but they usually completely deflate. Rarely do you get a faulty valve that has a slow leak. This should be something your plastic surgeon can easily evaluate. I would strongly encourage you to consider using silicone implants if you had to have something done. The safety profile is better and they look and feel much more natural. Best of Luck!

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Usually saline implants decrease in size or deflate rather rapidly but if you notice a clear size difference get it evaluated by your PS

Stephen M. Becker, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The short answer is yes, but it is very unusual for a saline implant to have a "slow leak". Most often, when a saline device fails, the breast rapidly deflates. What you are describing sounds more like an under filled implant. Without a picture or exam, it is difficult to say. I would suggest following up with your surgeon. If it is a device failure, it may still be under warranty.

Can saline implants leak slowly over time?

Answers (4)

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