Breast Implant Failure: What You Can Do
Breast Implant Revision, Breast Implants Comments Off
Only the Earth abideth forever, says Ecclesiastes. But, compared to the Earth, breast implants don’t even make the near permanent list.
But they do last many human years; Nonetheless, patients often ask what signs they should look for in case of failure.
The obvious symptoms depend on if the implant is:
- Silicone
- Saline
Saline implants are the most numerous although silicone is closing the gap due to a patient preference for a softer feel and look.
Silicone implants weren’t available from 1992 to 2006, so the vast majority of breast implants currently are saline.
All implants are well designed with an extremely strong and long-lasting shell. Neither of the fluids will make you sick if leakage does happen.
But movement does cause wear which brings its traveling companion tear. You may have heard of wear and tear in relation to cars but the same situation exists with breast implants.
As time goes on, wear and tear and the movement of the implants inside your body may cause a saline implant to tear and leak.
Those in the know – plastic surgeons – say the possibility of a rupture exists anywhere from day one to year 10. In reality, however, the vast majority of implants last at least a decade. Some last twice as long.
If a saline leak happens, the breast loses its fullness and appears deflated or dented quickly. You will definitely notice and bring it to the attention of your plastic surgeon who can recommend the best course of action.
However, silicone is much thicker and stays within the pocket the surgeon created inside your chest to hold the implant. So the affected breast will retain most of its shape.
A silicone leak is harder to detect and more expensive to replace. That’s probably why many silicone implants come with a warranty which can help with the costs of a replacement or revision breast surgery.
If you have silicone implants, the FDA recommends having an MRI – which is 95 percent accurate – three years after surgery and then after every two years.
But the picture is muddied a bit by the chances of capsular contracture, a common complication. Saline has about a 15 percent chance.
But with silicone, it is only five percent.
Like choices everywhere, it’s six of one or a half dozen of another!
admin @ August 24, 2009