I recently went to the hospital and had a ultra (sound) scan done and was told one of my breast implants is leaking outside the implant causing a small lump. Will I need them replaced and how soon? And what will happen if I just leave them? I am worried about the cost because I can’t afford (surgery) right now.
Related Posts
-
Capsular Contracture Revision Options
-
Is capsulectomy, along with strattice matrix best correct capsular contracture?
-
High Profile vs. Moderate Profile Implants
The Plastic Surgery Channel Surgeon Answers: (3)
Leave a Comment
PSC Pulse
How satisfied are you with your breast appearance?
What is PSC Pulse?PSC Pulse is an online tool to collect and quantify patients needs in the aesthetic marketplace and measure their understanding of the current procedures currently available. We will provide a topline summary of these results on a quarterly basis. Please provide your email address to get results.
Latest in Breast Augmentation
New Post-Surgery Pain Medication Recently Launched Means Less Pain for Surgery Patients
Duration - 3:13
The Breast Lift and Breast Augmentation; Meridian, Mississippi Plastic Surgeon Tells How to Decide Which is Right for You
Duration - 4:13
Latest on The Plastic Surgery Channel
New Post-Surgery Pain Medication Recently Launched Means Less Pain for Surgery Patients
Duration - 3:13
Dr. Jacobs responded:
Dear Nicki
If your tests have shown a leakage (or rupture) of an implant, it would be advisable to have BOTH of them replaced very soon. You should consult a reputable plastic surgeon and come prepared with copies of your ultra-sound test as well as with information about your prior surgery. That history would include a copy of the surgeon's operative report as well as specific information about the manufacturer, shape, volume, etc of your present implants. You could then discuss the various alternatives for treatment.
I would certainly not elect to ignore the test results. If costs are a factor, then perhaps a visit to a teaching hospital would be helpful.
Best of luck!
Elliot W. Jacobs, MD, FACS
New York City
Dr. Inglefield responded:
Dear Niki
Sorry to hear that you have this concern. Firstly, you should not ignore the finding of a ruptured implant. The implants will need to be replaced as soon as possible. You can ask your GP to refer you to your local Plastic Surgery Department if finance is a problem. They usually do not like doing this following cosmetic procedures but if you have a good GP, this should be possible. You should have a copy of your scan and surgery records from you original operation to take with you. You could have the implants removed which would be quite a straight forward procedure with minimal downtime. Replacing the implants is also fairly straight forward, commonly performed as a daycase. I hope that this is helpful and wish you well.
Dr. Whitfield responded:
Normally a saline device will deflate completely. If it is a silicone device and it is an extracapsular rupture the silicone and the device should be removed.