Breast implants can leak, although such instances are rare. But, could implants actually explode at a high altitude – say, in an airplane that loses cabin pressure? The Myth Files investigates the science behind this urban legend.
We’ve all heard the horror stories: A buxom young woman with breast implants boards a plane en route to an exotic locale. She is planning a relaxing getaway, but mid-flight, the plane loses cabin pressure. Suddenly, her breast implants begin to expand inside her body, countering the decrease in external pressure, and putting a tremendous strain on her skin and muscle. The pain becomes unbearable until the unthinkable happens: her implants burst.
Stories of breast implants exploding at 30,000 feet have surfaced online in recent years. But, is there any truth to these accounts – and is it even physically possible for breast implants to expand at high altitudes? The debut episode of The Myth Files explores the science behind the urban legend, as board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mike Dixon delivers the real dish – with a dose of humor – for curious viewers who may be hesitant to take to the skies.
The Myth Files is sponsored by Mentor, maker of Memory Gel breast implants. Learn more about breast augmentation surgery at LoveYourLook.com.
Rick responded:
False. Implants have no gas which could expand. Liquid is essentially incompressible. If the implants were full of air, then yes; but they are not.