Ruptured breast implant: How long can I be with it?

Question

My surgeon doesn't want to do lift implant when he changes the ruptured implant because I told him that I am considering get pregnant in a couple years. Now the question is how long can I be with the ruptured implant cuz I am thinking that may be would be good if I wait to removed the implant until I have a baby

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello lily2014 Deflated or Ruptured Implant: For silicone implants prior to 2006, ruptures occur at rates of approximately 1-2% per year for the first ten years then markedly increases after that time period. A rupture or deflation of the implant may be experienced at any point after the initial augmentation; this complication may be increased by an under-filling or overfilling of saline solution into the implant, excessive compression, trauma, and other causes. (If the implant shell if not filled with the correct amount of saline, there may be a crease or fold in the shell which often leads to a rupture). The patient 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 needs to be corrected on a timely basis, it is not dangerous to your health from our current knowledge base. Silicone implants after 2006 are more cohesive and less likely to leak.

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

There is no way to know in an  individual case, but the FDA strongly suggests removing ruptured gel implants, because over a time a gradually increasing percentage of women will get some of the gel into the tissues around the breast. If it were a saline implant, the only issue is that delaying will allow the pocket to contract, and some work on that will be needed at the time of re-augmentation.
There are undoubtedly many women with ruptured implants with no symptoms and no problems, who are unaware that their implants are ruptured.  That is why women with gel implants need an MRI or equivalent imaging study at intervals to check for implant rupture.  Once it is known that a patient has a rupture, I recommend removal and replacement if desired, within a reasonable period of time. That would be weeks or months, but not years.

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

The sooner that you remove the implant, the better, as scarring will ensue. I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. If the implant is ruptured, then it would be advised to take it out and have it replaced. As to whether you heed that advice or not, that is up to you. If it is saline, it poses very little threat and you could choose to leave it in place. Discuss your options in detail with your PS.Good luck!

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Assuming that you have saline implants, then you can leave the implant ruptured for as long as you would like. You could consider exchanging your implant now or waiting until you finish childbearing to have additional surgery. A third option would be to rupture your other side to improve your symmetry and then undergo a revision surgery when you have finished having children.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

Dear Lilly,  Front and side view pictures would have been very helpful. It is not clear to me why your surgeon refuses to replace the ruptured  implant and perform the lift procedure at the same time, regardless of your next pregnancy plan. It is very  frustrating for a woman  to live with breasts that are asymmetrical  and droopy.   I would recommend that you consult with other experienced board certified plastic surgeons. I am sure that you will find an expert surgeon that will be able to help you and make you whole again.                         Best of luck,                                            Dr Widder

Scott Thellman, MD · Answer

Assuming you have a saline implant, there's no harm in waiting to replace it.  I've had patients come to me several years after having experiencing a rupture and we've operated on them with little difficulty.  If you choose to wait and the asymmetry is bothersome the other implant can be deflated easily in the office with little local anesthetic and a needle.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

If you are not planning on having a child for several years that it would make senses to exchange the implants or just remove them.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

pose no danger if they are saline or the newer cohesive gel implants.  Technically, you can leave them alone but with knowledge of a ruptured gel implant, recommendation will be made for replacement.  Your future plans for pregnancy would not  impact the decision on whether the left one should be done or not.  The age of the implants, if older saline or the old gel would definitely warrant replacing the opposite side at the same time.  And if you have saline and don't mind the look of your deflated implant and you don't have any warranty covering you, you could easily deflate the left side to achieve symmetry until you are done with having children.

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question. If you're not planning on getting pregnant for a few years than I would recommend having your ruptured implant removed and reforming any additional surgery at the same time. Although you can leave a ruptured saline implant alone for quite some time, it makes more sense to me to have your implants removed/replaced sooner than later. Best of luck!~Dr. Sieber

Ruptured breast implant: How long can I be with it?

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