What happens if an implant bursts

Replacing both implants at the same time means that you only have to go through one surgery. If the rupture is intracapsular, then the implant replacement procedure is relatively simple. The old implant is removed, and the surgeon cleans up the silicone from within the capsule. In some cases, the capsule itself may also need to be removed if it has developed capsular contracture, which is a tightening of the capsule.

The new implant can then be placed, and the incisions closed. If the rupture is extracapsular, then the procedure is essentially the same, but the removal is a bit more complex. The surgeon will attempt to clean up all of the silicone from the surrounding area tissue, although this can be difficult. A silent rupture may be found on an imaging procedure, such as an MRI. If this is the case, then one option is simply to monitor the situation closely, without proceeding directly to surgery.

Another option is to go ahead and replace the implant. Many people develop capsular contracture , or hardened scar tissue around one or both implants. The saline in your implant will leak out and get reabsorbed by your body. This leak can happen all at once or slowly over the course of a few days. The deflation may not become obvious until all of the saline leaks out. The affected breast will lose its size and shape and look dramatically different from your other breast.

Breast implant ruptures are rare in the first few years, but the risk does increase over time. Silicone gel is much thicker than saline. When a silicone implant ruptures, the gel will often stay inside the implant or surrounding scar tissue. Because of this, ruptured silicone implants often go unnoticed. When symptoms are present, they can include:. Rippling occurs when the implant develops wrinkles or ripples.

Palpability refers to the ability to feel these ripples when you touch your breast. In some cases, these changes can also be seen through the skin. Gravity is still going to take its toll. Weight gain and loss can also cause stretching and sagging of the breasts. You may also notice that one breast hangs lower than the other, or that your nipples point in different directions than before.

Any qualified plastic surgeon can remove your breast implants. During an initial consultation, the surgeon you choose will evaluate the state of your current implants and discuss your surgical options. Because of this, your doctor may recommend replacing your implants with implants of a different size or shape. There are several stages of capsular contracture. It tends to worsen with time. If you notice breast implant rupture symptoms or notice any changes to the breast, see your cosmetic surgeon right away.

Breast implants are very durable. However, they are not made of steel and they can be damaged due to aging or injury. Here are some tips for preventing and monitoring for implant rupture. While you can exercise and do normal-to-strenuous activities once you are fully healed from surgery, it is wise to treat your implants with care.

For example, if you are a pro wrestler, you breast implants are more susceptible to damage than someone who works in an office all day. Either way, if you are involved in activities that can cause trauma to the chest, it is essential to monitor your breasts for changes.

This is your health we are talking about, after all. Watch this YouTube video to find out what happens when Doctor Bernard attempts to burst a breast implant! If you had any doubt about how durable are breast implants or can you exercise with breast implants, this video should lay your fears to rest. Most implants can last beyond this timeframe, especially modern ones. It is even possible to get decades of life out of an implant, but there are no guarantees on how long a pair of implants will last.

You do not need to get implants replaced unless they are problematic. Lifelong screening with an MRI should be part of your health care routine every two years to scan for problems. As long as you have implants, you should continue getting them screened. If you are happy with them and they are not leaking or damaged, you can keep the implants in.

Aging and wear and tear can degrade the implant over time, resulting in a leak. That is why monitoring is so important. MRI screening is recommended by the FDA three years after the implants are placed, and then again every two years after that. Health insurance is unlikely to cover this, so you may have to pay out of pocket.

Silicone breast rupture is not always obvious. You may not be able to detect it right away. That is why it is important to stay on top of things.

For more facts on what to look for, check out this link from BreastCancer. While MRI screening is the most accurate way to detect leaking implants, it is not foolproof. It is possible that the rupture might not show up. Likewise, an intact implant could appear ruptured on the MRI. If you suspect the results are incorrect, seek additional testing or a second opinion. If you are concerned about breast implant rupture, there is another kind of breast augmentation to consider. You can increase breasts about one cup size using your own body fat.

This nixes many of the complications that can sometimes occur with other kinds of implants. While most patients opt for traditional silicone or saline implants, Doctor Bernard will be happy to discuss this with you if you are interested.

The two types are known as intracapsular rupture and extra capsular rupture. This occurs in stages, starting with IC rupture first. When a breast implant bursts or tears, it begins to leak into the implant capsule that your body created as it healed from surgery. This is called an intracapsular rupture IC. The capsule forms to seal the foreign object off from the rest of your body. Capsule formation is a natural immune response to the foreign object.

In theory, the capsule works to encase the leak. However, it is difficult to know that there has been a leak in this case. The implant often looks and feels like normal breast tissue at this stage. That is why screening is so important. Many women become aware of a leak on an ultrasound for unrelated breast issues, although ultrasounds have a high false positive rate. Implant folds which are normal can appear like leaks. An MRI can confirm the result.

Extracapsular rupture EC is when the silicone has leaked beyond the implant capsule. It is diagnosable with an ultrasound. The patient may notice pain, lumps, discomfort, and other symptoms, but it could also be silent, much like an IC rupture. A leaking implant should be removed surgically. Silicone that has leaked beyond the capsule, and even the capsule itself, may also be removed as needed.