Breast Implant Rupture
Whether it happens in five years or 30 years, all breast implants will eventually break down and rupture. The older the breast implant, the more prone it is to rupture. Once a rupture has occurred, you will need to have your breast implants removed and replaced.
Saline Breast Implant Rupture
When a saline breast implant breaks, the salt water solution that it contains will quickly leak out, leaving the implant deflated. Your body will absorb the saline solution without any harm. In very rare cases, fungus or bacteria may have developed inside of your implant, which may cause you to become sick from a leak.
Women with saline breast implants have the benefit of knowing exactly when a rupture has occurred, since their breast will change in shape and size within a short period of time. In most situations, it is not necessary for an MRI or imaging test to be performed.
Silicone Breast Implant Rupture
The cohesive gel that is used in silicone breast implants is designed to stay in place when a rupture occurs. This means that the contents of your silicone implant will leak very slowly over a long period of time – usually several years. Sometimes, the layer of scar tissue that surrounds your breast implants is able to contain the leaking silicone. Unfortunately, in other cases, it may migrate into different areas of your body.
Silicone is a natural substance and should not harm your body, but if it reaches certain locations – such as your lungs – it may be impossible to remove. Because of this, the FDA recommends that you undergo an MRI every two years to ensure your silicone breast implant is intact and functioning correctly.
It is common for silicone breast implant ruptures to be “silent,” meaning they show no symptoms at all. In other cases, you may experience signs such as:
- Numbness and tingling
- Tenderness or pain
- Swelling
- Hard knots in your breasts
If you have further questions about breast implant ruptures, please contact us today to schedule a personal consultation with experienced Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim. We serve patients in the Los Angeles, and Santa Monica areas of California.
