Thank you for sharing your story. What you're going through is very real and understandably frightening, especially as a parent. When silicone/biopolymers are injected directly into the breast, the body often reacts by forming granulomas, chronic inflammatory nodules where the immune system tries to wall off the foreign material. If your imaging showed granulomas in your breast and lymph nodes, this means some of the material may have migrated into nearby tissues and lymphatic drainage areas. The immune system has responded by creating localized inflammation, which can look and feel aggressive. Not all granulomas are life-threatening, but they can become dangerous over time due to chronic inflammation (persistent pain, swelling, and tissue damage). They can also migrate to distant areas. This is not something to ignore, especially if it’s progressing or affecting your health. The next step is to find a surgeon experienced in silicone/biopolymer removal. Not all plastic surgeons deal with this. It is of utmost importance to look for a surgeon who has extensive experience excising foreign material and granulomas, especially from the breasts and lymph nodes. An MRI with silicone-specific sequences can help map the extent and location of material. MRI is the best imaging for any disorder of the soft tissues. While granulomas can be benign, it's wise to rule out malignancy and confirm the diagnosis histologically, especially since it has been years since the injections. Based off of your MRI results, you may need surgical excision of the granulomas and affected nodes (surgical excision is the best, most effective route of silicone/biopolymer removal). Removing the bulk of the foreign material can greatly reduce inflammation and long-term risks. It's important to document any new symptoms (fevers, fatigue, breast changes or skin issues).
