Saline breast implants have an outer shell made from a silicone elastomer and are placed, empty, into the breast. The implant is then filled with a saline, or saltwater, solution to the predetermined volume to get the results the patient wants.
When a saline breast implant ruptures, it is generally apparent within just 24 hours because the breast noticeably shrinks in size, or takes on a “deflated” appearance as the volume has emptied. The saline solution is perfectly safe to be absorbed into your body and poses no risk to your health.
Signs of a Silicone Breast Implant Rupture
Silicone breast implants are filled with a thick gel, so if a rupture or leak occurs, it’s generally not noticeable as it leaks at a significantly slower rate and is generally trapped in the tissue surrounding the breast. Because of this, silicone breast implant ruptures are generally referred to as “silent ruptures.”
Treatment Options for a Breast Implant Rupture
As soon as you become aware that your saline implant has ruptured or you are experiencing pain or a change of appearance in your breast if you have silicone implants, it’s important to contact your plastic surgeon. They will perform an MRI or an ultrasound to determine if the implant has ruptured and if so, they will likely recommend surgically removing the implant.
At this time, you have a few options of what to do when your implant is removed.
Replace the Implant
A new implant can be inserted immediately after the ruptured one has been removed. If you would prefer a different size or would prefer to change from saline to silicone or vice versa, discuss your preference for a breast implant revision with your plastic surgeon.
Remove the Implants
Some women choose to remove both the ruptured and the other implants altogether. If you prefer this option, it’s important to consider that the breasts may have changed shape, lost volume, or will sag without the implants. A breast lift may be the right step to take next and can also be performed at the same time as your implant removal.
Having Regular Implant Revisions
Breast implants are not designed to last a lifetime. Instead, the typical lifespan for them is around 10-20 years, depending on the type of implant. Keeping them longer than this may raise your risk of a rupture, so it’s important to consult with a plastic surgeon about a breast implant revision if your implants are reaching the 10-year mark. At your consultation, you can discuss your next steps, whether you prefer to have new implants that are the same size as your old ones, change the size, or if you no longer want to have implants, whether a breast lift may be the best option.
What Happens If A Breast Implant Ruptures
Breast implants do not actually expire. But this doesn’t mean they can always be expected to last a lifetime. There is a likelihood that the implant will need to be replaced at one point or the other. Most saline and silicone implants available in the market today can be expected to last anywhere between 10 and 20 years. However, up to 20 percent of women have their implants removed or replaced within 8 to 10 years, due to complications or aesthetic concerns.
Symptoms of leaking breast implant
Breast implant ruptures may be caused by the normal aging process, needle insertion during a biopsy, trauma caused by a car accident, or other factors. The signs of breast implant rupture depending on the type of implant:
Saline and silicone implant ruptures need to be addressed by a plastic surgeon right away. If you suspect that you have a rupture, get in touch with your Phoenix plastic surgeon to arrange a timely consultation.
Other complications that necessitate the removal of breast implants
In addition to leakage and rupture, breast implants are also susceptible to various other complications that you should be on the lookout for.
Breast implant burst consultation
Many breast augmentation patients get very worried when they detect symptoms of silicone breast implant leakage. The first step should be to get in touch with a highly competent plastic surgeon so you can arrange for a corrective procedure. During your initial consultation with our Scottsdale plastic surgeon, the doctor will listen to your concerns and examine your chests for any visible symptoms. Imaging tests may be required in order to get a complete picture of the implant damage. Once the surgeon gets the facts right, he will collect further details regarding your medical history and work on a custom breast implant removal and replacement treatment plan to suit your needs.
Breast implant removal and replacement surgery
Saline or silicone implant ruptures need to be addressed through plastic surgery to get rid of the damaged implant and replace it with a new one. This procedure is performed in the surgeon’s in-office operating room or any other accredited medical facility. Anesthesia will be administered in order to keep you comfortable throughout the process. Once this is done, the surgeon will create an incision (typically) along the lower breast fold or around the areola. The next step will be to remove the damaged implant. In some cases, the surgeon will also remove the surrounding scar tissue in a procedure known as en bloc capsulectomy. Many women choose to have a replacement implant inserted at the same time in order to maintain their desired breast appearance. Keep in mind that the particulars of the surgery will vary depending on the precise needs of the patient. Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon will close the incisions using skin adhesives, sutures, tapes, or clips.
Are there any alternatives to implants for breast augmentation surgery
Some women who have had breast implant leakage or rupture may opt for alternative augmentation techniques. Our Phoenix plastic surgeon also offers a natural augmentation technique that is known as fat transfer. This method entails taking excess fat from other parts of the body (tummy, buttocks, thighs, love handles, etc) and using it to achieve the desired breast size. Keep in mind that this procedure is not for everyone. You will need to be healthy and have enough excess fat in other parts of the body in order to qualify for fat transfer breast augmentation.
Do ruptured breast implants cause cancer?
If a saline breast implant ruptures, then the implant will deflate, immediately affecting your breast size and shape. The leaked saline solution will be naturally absorbed by your body and does not pose any health risks. The remaining (ruptured) implant shell will need to be removed via breast implant removal plastic surgery. When a silicone implant ruptures, the silicone gel may still remain within the implant shell, causing no visible symptoms. This is precisely why imaging scans are required to detect silicone breast implant ruptures. Patients who have had a silicone implant rupture may experience pain, soreness, or swelling as the surrounding tissue becomes irritated. Other symptoms may include changes in breast size and shape, hardening, and the formation of lumps. Neither saline nor silicone breast implant ruptures are thought to cause breast cancer, problems with the reproductive system, or connective tissue ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis.
silicone poisoning from breast implants symptoms
If you’re not quite sure what breast implant illness (BII) is, that’s because it’s a relatively new term for a condition that hasn’t been fully defined and isn’t yet medically recognized, at least not in an official capacity that comes with specific diagnostic criteria.
Even so, a number of women with breast implants are reporting wide-ranging symptoms collectively referred to as BII. While there’s no doubt that these symptoms are real, researchers are still trying to determine if they’re caused by implants or if they’re the product of an unrelated illness or condition.
As an implant expert who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive breast augmentation at Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, Christopher Brooks, MD, is committed to staying up to date on the latest information regarding BII.
Here’s what you should know about this perplexing problem.
Breast implant illness 101
BII is the informal term that some women — and even some doctors — use to describe a range of unexplained symptoms that women can experience following cosmetic breast augmentation or reconstructive breast surgery with implants.
Researchers’ current understanding of breast implant illness is largely based on the self-identified symptoms and anecdotal evidence women have shared with their plastic surgeons, primary care doctors, and one another across social media on popular pages that are dedicated to the topic.
BII appears to be associated with a wide range of potential health effects. Commonly reported physical and mental symptoms, include:
Some women have also anecdotally reported unexplained chest pain, chills, sensitivity to light, and hormonal disturbances following implant surgery.
Breast implant illness, or something else?
Although several studies and systematic reviews have looked into breast implant safety as well as the potential existence of BII, researchers still don’t understand the problem well enough to draw any definitive conclusions.
Even so, doctors and researchers are busy looking for answers. Given that the jury is currently out on why — and how — some women with implants develop wide-ranging systemic symptoms, experts are focusing on what they do know.
One thing they know is that many of the symptoms associated with BII are similar to the kinds of symptoms caused by autoimmune and connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. They also know, however, that the general cluster of BII symptoms doesn’t seem to match any classic disease diagnosis.
ASIA — a leading theory
While some women with BII symptoms are eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or a connective tissue disorder, many are not. Researchers also recognize the possibility that some women may be experiencing a systemic inflammatory reaction to their implants.
Among the various BII hypotheses that have been explored to date, a leading theory is that some women may be genetically predisposed to developing an immune reaction to the materials used in breast implants.
This top theory even has a name: autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). The pattern of widespread symptoms seen in ASIA, which is a recognized condition, are caused by a systemic reaction to adjuvants, such as silicone.
Some experts believe that ASIA is actually a better term — or explanation — for BII.
Breast implant illness solutions
BII symptoms can emerge anytime after implant surgery — some women develop them right away, while others develop problems several years later. If you’re experiencing symptoms that you believe may be related to your implants, it’s important to see your primary care physician as well as Dr. Brooks.
If your primary care doctor can rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, either through testing, unsuccessful treatment measures, or both, you may find yourself considering implant removal.
As of now, complete implant removal is the solution that’s most likely to deliver long-term relief for persistent and otherwise unexplained symptoms. In most cases, both the implants and the surrounding scar tissue are removed. Implant removal often — but not always — improves or resolves BII symptoms.
If you want to learn more about breast implant illness or to talk with Dr. Brooks about any worrisome symptoms you may be having, call our Hollywood, Florida, office or click online to request an appointment today.
can a ruptured breast implant kill you
Breast implants have been safely enlarging women’s breasts for decades. Breast augmentation surgery allows women to enhance their confidence in their bodies by achieving more proportional and shapelier breasts. While the majority of women with breast implants never experience any complications, breast implants are not without risk. Some of these potential complications are known; others are speculated.
Before you decide to get breast implants, you should understand the risks, read up on breast implant safety, and realize what it means if your implants begin to hurt after the procedure.
How Common Is Capsular Contracture?
Capsular contracture is the most common reason for women with implants to seek out a breast augmentation revision specialist. Capsular contracture happens when the scar tissue around the implant starts to tighten, causing breast implant hardening, chronic pain, and distortion.
Unfortunately, there is no way to relieve or break capsular contracture without breast revision surgery. Capsular contracture treatment involves the complete removal of the implant and scar tissue. While there is no way to prevent capsular contracture, breast implant massages may reduce your risk.
How Hard Is It to Rupture an Implant?
Implant rupture occurs when an implant shell breaks, allowing the saline or silicone contents to potentially spill out into the body. Implant ruptures cause aesthetic complications and pose potential health risks.
Saline ruptures are easily identifiable because the saline is absorbed by the body relatively quickly. This saline is sterile; however, there have been reports of mold developing inside the saline implants. When the implant ruptured, the mold in the saline was also absorbed. It is still unclear what complications this poses long-term.
Silicone ruptures are often silent ruptures. Silicone implants have a thick gel consistency that allows it to maintain its shape and remain in the breast pocket even after a break occurs, at least for some time. If the rupture is discovered early, the damaged implant can often be removed with no problems. Unfortunately, if it is not found, loose silicone can escape into the body and travel toward vital organs, such as the lungs.
Implant ruptures are caused by damage to the implant shell. This can occur after a trauma to the chest (such as a car accident or intense pressure from a breast exam) or can be the result of implant weakening from the initial augmentation. Breast implants are very durable and should not damage; however, rupture does happen on occasion.
Is Breast Implant Illness Real?
Breast implant illness has become a risk even though there is no evidence proving a link between the symptoms and the presence of the implant. This self-diagnosed disease has gained steam over recent years since thousands of women started experiencing the same unexplainable side effects.
Since they all had breast implants, many speculated that the implants must be responsible. This was how the term breast implant illness was started. Breast implant illness symptoms vary; however, they are similar to autoimmune diseases and include headaches, joint pain, muscular pain, anxiety, depression, brain fog, memory loss, and hair loss.
It is believed by some that the silicone in the implant or implant shell causes an autoimmune reaction in the body, and these symptoms are the body’s response to that. As of now, there is no scientific evidence to back that claim.
Do Breast Implants Increase Cancer Risk?
Breast cancer is, unfortunately, an all-to-real fear (and reality) for many women. Some women who have or are interested in getting implants wonder about how it will affect their risk of developing cancer.
Implants do not prevent breast cancer, and patients can still get cancer with implants; however, the implants also do not contribute to it. While silicone does not cause cancer, breast implants, specially textured saline or silicone implants have been linked to cancer of the immune system called breast implant-related anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
BIA-ALCL develops in the scar tissue that forms around the implants and is not breast cancer. BIA-ALCL cancer symptoms include lumps, bumps, as well as hard and sore breast implants. This condition is tested through a biopsy of the scar tissue and, when discovered early, is very treatable.
saline breast implant rupture
HOW WILL I KNOW WHETHER MY SALINE IMPLANT HAS DEFLATED?
Because saline implants are filled with saltwater, any leakage will be absorbed by your body and excreted through your urine. Complete deflation may take a day or two (if there is a large hole in the implant shell) or could take weeks or months (with a smaller leak).
Signs of deflation include:
These signs are generally gradual and progressive. So if you’re not sure whether you have deflation, check again in a few days or a week. If your breast looks and feels the same, you probably do not have deflation, but if it continues to lose fullness and firmness, you should seek assistance from an experienced plastic surgeon.
IS A LEAKING SALINE IMPLANT DANGEROUS?
Saline implant ruptures are NOT dangerous. Saline implants are filled with the same salt water solution that is used in IV fluid. In reality, the implants are actually manufactured as empty shells and Dr. Mountcastle will fill the implants with the sterile saline solution during surgery. If the saline implant deflates, your body will absorb the fluid and you will be better hydrated!
HOW SOON DO I HAVE TO HAVE IMPLANT REPLACEMENT SURGERY DONE?
While a saline implant deflation is not an emergency, it is important to have either the implant removal or replacement surgery done as soon as possible, ideally within a couple of weeks of the deflation. Capsular contracture is a risk of an untreated deflation, thus requiring a more difficult surgery than implant removal or replacement alone.
CORRECTING RUPTURED SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS?
Even if only one saline implant has ruptured, both are typically removed and replaced during the breast revision surgery, especially if the saline implants are more than 10 years old. This is done in an effort to avoid experiencing a future implant rupture with your remaining intact, but aged implant.
Some patients will choose to have their saline breast implants removed but not replaced. However, this is typically not recommended unless a breast lift is performed to remove the excess skin that has been stretched out by the saline implants.
Every year I see hundreds of women who are interested in having a breast implant revision. Changes to the breasts over time are experienced by most women because of the natural loss of elasticity during the aging process, genetic predisposition, and weight changes. Women can experience “ptosis” or breast drooping for other reasons as well, such as breastfeeding or weight loss. During breast implant revision consultations with my patients, I find that many of them want to know more about the possibility of a breast implant rupture, and how they will know if a rupture occurs. Though implant ruptures are rare in the short term, they are not lifetime devices and ruptures can and do occur and I want my patients to be educated on this topic. In this blog, I’m providing a list of the 4 of the most common signs of a ruptured breast implant.
Reduction of Breast Size (Saline Implant Rupture)
If you have saline breast implants and experience a rupture, you will immediately be aware of it. The saline will leak from the outer silicone elastomer shell of your implant. When a rupture occurs your breast(s) will immediately deflate, usually within a day or two, and breast size will noticeably change. The saline solution will be absorbed by your body and it does not pose a threat to your overall health.
Change in Breast Shape (Silicone Implant Rupture)
On the other hand, if you have silicone breast implants and experience a rupture, the size of your breasts will not change. This is because the silicone substance inside this type of implant is a thicker gel substance. You may, however, notice a slight change in the shape of your breasts but some women notice nothing at all. This is why silicone implant ruptures are called “silent ruptures.” Over time, a silicone rupture may spur an inflammatory response and your body may develop extra scar tissue around the implant which can contract and cause your breast to feel firm. This is why I recommend that my La Jolla silicone breast augmentation patients receive an MRI every several years to be sure they do not have a breast implant rupture. An MRI is the only way to definitively confirm silicone implant ruptures and a surgeon generally cannot confirm one by an in-person exam alone.
Breast Pain and Tenderness
Regardless of the type of breast implants you have, a rupture will likely cause some tenderness and possibly some pain in your breast. For patients with a saline rupture pain may occur as a result of the loss of shape and the resulting sagging of the breast skin. I advise patients with saline implant ruptures to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for discomfort as they are blood thinners and will push the scheduling of replacing your implants out for two to three weeks.
Lumps or Ripples in Your Breast
Ruptured saline implants may cause small lumps or ripples in the affected breast. Those ripples are actually the implant itself, deflated and sometimes folded over on itself.
For women who experience a silicone breast implant rupture, ripples and lumps may become noticeable in and around the breast itself or in the armpit area. But remember, because silicone implant ruptures occur slowly, these lumps and bumps may not be immediately noticeable.
If You Think You Have Experienced A Breast Implant Rupture, Call My Office Today
At Brucker Plastic Surgery, we care about the overall well-being of each of our patients. If you have had a breast augmentation and think you may be experiencing a breast implant rupture, contact my office and make an appointment to see me. You can reach us in the La Jolla area at (858) 450-1776.