If One Silicone Implant is Leaking, How Urgent is Explantation? Would Insurance Cover This Expense? I

A leaking Silicone breast implant should be replaced soon, but it is not an emergency operation.  Leaving the implant in your body allows more time for the silicone to leak outside the shell of the implant.  If this happens, it is more difficult to remove the ruptured silicone from the surrounding areas.  If the implants were placed for cosmetic reasons, it is generally not covered by insurance to remove them.  Check with your insurance company first since sometimes they will cover removal, but not replacement.

When a silicone implant is found to be leaking, the recommendation is for removal. This is not an emergency, however it should be taken care of sooner rather than later. One obvious reason is that removal of the silicone gel when it is still contained within the implant capsule is much easier than when it spreads outside the capsule and into the breast tissue. The insurance question depends upon your insurance company and the policy you have with them. Some insurance companies will cover the removal of the implant and the capsule, but rarely will they cover replacement of the implant. If the implant is less than 10 years old, the implant manufacturer may cover the cost of the new implants and the surgery.

It is always better to take care of it once you recognize the problem. If it were from cosmetic surgery, then it is self-pay.